The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1896-10-28
SOME CONSTITUTIONAL AMEND
MENTS.

fact. "-Springfield Republican.
SOME CONSTITUTIONAL AMEND
MENTS.
There are nine laws and constitu-
tional amendments which will be sub
mitted to the voters of the state for
adoption or rejection oh Nov. 3. Some
of these are of the highest impor-
lance and demand your most careful
consideration.
IAN act relating to the taxation Of GER
tain lands owned by railroad companies in
this state, and repeating laws and parts
of laws Relating to the taxation of the
| same and to provide for the submission of
this act to the people of this state for their
approval or rejection"
1t is Intended by this act to secure
the taxation of unused railroad lands
acquired by railroad companies under
federal and state grants.
The material parts of this act are as
follows:
"Sec. l. All lands in this state hereto
fore or hereafter granted by the State of
Territory be assessed and taxed as other
lands are taxed in this state, except such
parts of said lands as are held, used or
occupied for right of way, gravel pits, side
tracks, depots and all buildings and struc-
lures which are necessarily used in the
actual management and operation of the
railroads of said companies.
Provided, That said railroad companies
| shall continue to pay taxes into the statae
treasury upon their gross earnings in the
same manner and in the same amount az
now provided by law. And that nothing in
this act contained shall be construed to re-
peal said laws except in so far as the same
relate to the tax upon said lands.
H.
The voters of this state will be
called upon to vote upon the following
proposition: "Shall there be a con-
vention to revise the state constitu-
tion?"
We do not favor the proposition at
this time. II any portions of our con-
stitution are defective, they may be
amended at any state election.
III.
IAN act providing for an amendment to
section four (D of article five %, of the
constitution of the State Of Minnesota, de-
filming the authority and duties of the COVER
nor in relation to pardons for criminal
offenses and creating board of pardons.'
BY this amendment it is proposed to
strike out the following from the state
constitution; "He (the governor)
shall have power to grant reprieves
and pardons, after conviction for Of
lenses against the state,p and inse rt
in lieu thereof the following:
"And he shall have power, in conjunction
with the board of pardons, of which the
governor shall be ex-oficio member and
the other members Of which shall consist of
the attorney general of the State Of Min
nesota and the chief justice of the supreme
court Of the State of Minnesota and whose
powers and duties shall be defined and regu-
lated by law, to grant reprieves and par
dons, after conviction, for offenses against
the state. a.
We do not believe that the governor
alone should have the power to grant
pardons for offensss against the state.
We, therefore, favor the amendment
to create board of pardons, consist
ing of the governor, the attorney
general and the chief justice of the su-
preme court.
IAN act proposing an amendment to arti-
Gle four a. of the constitution of the State
of Minnesota allowing cities already incor-
porated, and villages desiring to become in
corporated as cities, to frame their own
charters as cities.''
The effect of the adoption of the last
named proposed amendment will be:
l. To vest cities and villages with the
right of framing their own charters, SUBJ
ject to limitations imposed by the laws of
the state.
g. The charter shall be framed by a board
of Is freeholders, or a majority thereof.
g. The charter will thereupon be sub
mitted to the qualified voters at the next
ensuing election, and will require for it's
ratification four-sevenths of the qualified
voters voting such election.
a. If ratified at such election the char
ter will thereupon. after lapse of thirty
days. become the charter of such city -or
village.
g. charter once adopted may be amend
ed in manner similar to that prescribed
for the framing and adoption of the orig
inal.
Z. The board of freeholders is to be per-
petual and without limitation of term, OK
cept that arising from death, disability to
perform the duties resignation, or removal
from the corporate limits of the city or vii
lage.
3. The charter must provide for a mayor,
or chief ma gistrate, and legislative body
of either one or two houses; if of two
houses the members of at least one house
shall be elective by the general vote of the
citizens
9. Alternate articles sections Of pro :
posed charter may be voted upon; that Is
to say, the voter may vote for one or the
other of two given articles or sections.
10. The legislature may classify cities
lows:
(a) Cities of over $4,000 Inhabitants.
CD Cities of 10000 and not less than 49,
900 Inhabitants. -
(c) Cities of 5000 inhabitants or less.
II. When cities have been so classified
the legislature may thereupon pass general
laws limited in their application to one or
more such classes.
II. The general law applicable to any
class of cities will be paramount to any
inconsistent provisions found in the char
ter of any city belonging to such class.
Itw,uld appear fl ON the above title
that the legal Aters of a city could,
through their regularly elected repre-
sentatives frame their own cha rter