The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-11-05
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
It's Purpose and Probable Enecs
Adopted.

It's Purpose and Probable Eject II
Adopted.
OLYMPIA. Oct 8, 1892
To the Votes Of the State Of Washington: by
vote of ffty-six TO five OF the house ana twenty
four to one In the senate, and without regard 10
psr,y lines. the legislature at its last session
agreed 20 The following proposed amendment 20
the constitution, which Is submitted TO you iof
your approval or rejection at the coming cleo
ton:
That section of article VIII of the constttu'
ton of the state OF Washington be amenaed 70
sscTros j. The state may, for the purpose of
constituting public buildings ana , o.ast
works, and for the acquisition OF LANDS;
and for other expenses incldent I'D saiu
construction, contract debts IN any amounI
not to exceed in the aggregate l per
cent of the value OF the taxable property "ith.n
the state. "a shown by the assessment Tor county
and state purposes last preceding the mourning
of any such dsbts; and may further contFseI,
for any public purposes, debts not exceeo.ag Ia
the aggregate $5oD,0to: and the moneys arising
from the loans creating such debts shall te APP
piled for the purposes Tor which they were oo-
tanned. or to repay debts SO contracted ano "
no other purpose whatever.
At said election the electors voting to approve
and ratfy SAIL amendment shall vote FOR con-
stitutional amendment raising the limit OF stsos
indebtedness, Yes;" and the electors voting NOT
to approve ratfy said amendment shall woe
AGAINST constitutional amendment raising the
limit OF state indebtedness. No"
Inc OBJECT OF THIS amendment ID W dNoto snS
sacrifice of the grant of lands from the United
States to the state OF Washington for the pur-
posea hereinafter set out, and to enable the
legislature to provide for the erection OF the
institutions Tor which the grant was made
1t is not contemplated by this amendment to
create any debt that the people Will ever De
called upon to pay, as the proceeds OF the safe
OF these lands at a conservative estimate Will
much more than repay any Indebtedness that
might be incurred hereunder. The present
bonded indebtedness of the state 10 but $SO0,O0O,
bearing interest at the rate OF SO per cent. and
these bonds were sold at a premium OF ~ OF
per cent
The erection OF such public buildings as the
state requires is a matter OF time, and were the
next legislature to authorize the work long
period of years would be required for Its Gem
pletiOn. The state is now paying q rental Oh
$500 per year for inadequate quarters for its
officers, and without q sufficient hall for legis-
latve purposes
The following certificate from the state com.
missioner OF public lands gives the amount OF
lands already selected aud their appraised
value, and shows that the adoption OF this
amendment does not mean any additional bur-
den to the taxpayer, but in the end saving to
the state:
STATE OF WASHINGTON, !
OFFICE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC LANDS
Hon. Allen Weir, Secretary OF state: Dear
Sir In reply to your request for information.
have the honor to submit herewith certlfcate
which embraces information desired by you.
State of Washington, ss.-l hereby certify that
$1,000 acres have been granted by sections IL
and IL OF the enabling act Tor the construction
of public buildings at the state capital OF said
amount 81, 1t5 acres have been selected by the
state land commission, and valued at ii 64Ou0
as reported by the several agents who have been
appointed by the governor under the provisions
of section ,, page 399 session Laws OF 1891.
That 100 900 acres have been granted by section
II OF the enabling act Tor the establishment aud
maintenance of 4 scientific school. OF said
amount 39,6l3 81 acres have been selected By the
state land commission, valued at $343,9l9.70, as
reported by said agents.
section II of the enabling act Tor state,
charitable, educational, penal and reformstory
institutions. OF said amount Sl,537.63 acres
have been selected by the state land commits
sion, valued at 69,s27.oO. as reported by said
agents.
That 10000 acres have been granted by section
16 of the enabling act for the use and sup
port OF agricultural colleges. OF said amount
$3.50. so acres have been selected by the state
land commission. valued at 500, 25S.oO, as re-
ported by said agents. W. 1. FORREST,
Commissioner OF Public Lands.
Without the adoption of this or a similar
amendment the legislature will be powerless to
provide for the erection OF the various public
buildings and institutions contemplated by the
enabling act, except by the imposition OF q
direct tax upon the people there being no con-
stitutional limit on the taxing power OF the
legislature for state purposes), which would be
onsrous and oppressive. or a sale of these lands
at sacrifice. ALLEN WKIR