The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-10-20

state, we know. That the adoption of
the Anderson bill might, in spite of the
safeguards attempted to be cast
around it, furnish such an opportunity,
we fear. 1t is probable that the bill
will be ratified by popular vote, but it
tinize the situation and to weigh the
possibility involved in his action of the
sacrifice of the vast and certain rev.
enue derived from the gross earnings
a few countless provided the assessed
valuation of these lands is not made
such as to minimize receipts from them.
The amendment providing that the
income from the internal Improvement
fund shall be devoted to the making of
public roads and the building of bridges
seems to be a good one. The time has
come when a movement for good roads
must be carried ahead in Minnesota If
this change would assist it, as seems
likely, it should be made. The consti-
tuition Of the governor, the attorney
general and the chief justice as board
of pardons is in line with the best
practice, and is approved by those
most earnest in penal reform work. 1t
is worthy of public support. The alter
alton in the qualification for the cleo
tive franchise admits of two opinions.
In general, the purpose of the proposed
H.
ditions of citizenship more rigorous, is
praiseworthy. 1t seems to involve,
however, some Acknowledgement of vo-
tiers, and is, on that ground of posi-
bic doubtful constitutionality. We do
not find that there are any abuses of
the present law to such an extent as
would seem to require the change in
question. 1t is probably immateriaI to
is adopted or rejected.
BY far the most important of all the
suggested additions to the constitution
is the so-called home rule amendment,
which confers upon cities and villages
in the state the right, subject to legis-
lative approval, to frame their own
charters. 1t would be well worth while
to hold the election for the sole pur-
proposition. At the present time the
cities of this state are limited to an
evil choice between retaining charters
which they have outgrown, and which
adopting, instead, what is known as
the Howard charter act, embodying a
system of municipal government con-
demned by the highest authorities and
the most conclusive experience The
right thing to do with communities, as
with individuals, is to leave them to
work out their own destinies, to enjoy
their success and suffer for their mis-
takes, and thus to make progress in the
only way known to the world in which
we live. The interference of the state
in municipal matters, except in the
most general way, is an impudence
and an injury. Legislative control of
municipal government has been the
parent of more abuse and corruption.
and of greater injury to both state and
city, than any other single influence
active for public evil. To remove this
oppression, to put an end to this breed
er of abuses, to unite the peoples hands
and give them real self-goyernment is
an object that should stir the enthusi-
asn of every man worthy the name of
American citizen. The home rule
amendment promises so much for mu-
nieipal government and so much for
increased purity in public life that it
ought to receive the unanimous sun
port of our people
The slight change in the section re-
latlng to the appropriation of private
property to public uses, and that gov
ernfng the investing Of school and mil
versity funds Of the state are of minor
| Importance, and may both be support
ed by the voter without further INQUIRY.
The last on the list, the authorization
OF a tax on the property of corporations
doing business in this state, opens ND
a Held OF taxation which it is very de-
slrable that the state should occupy. It
is only a question whether the language
of this amendment is not So involved
and uncertain as to nullify in part. or
III whole, the good effects which might
otherwise be expected from it II is
worth while to make beginning how
ever, and We would earnestly commend
the adoption of this amendment in the
absence of any other provision for
oblIg1ng great corporations that enioy
the privilege of doing business here tn
contribute their proper share to the
support of the state. Taken as
whole, therefore, we find that, while
the approval of the Anderson bill is Of
doubtful wisdom, unless we could be
assured that it viii not impair the gross
earnings tax, the other amendments in
question are either of so little irono.
ance that they may be accepted with
out harm or are positively desirable
We must make one exception, how
ever, in the most strenuous and en-
phatic terms We hope that. until M
litical conditions become more settled
the voters will negative overwheln,-
| ingly the proposal to call constft,1-
tfonal convention. Minnesota can get
along admirably with her present con
stitution for good while to come The
| mania for tinkering organic acts. like
the mania for correcting every evil uu-
der the sun by legislation, is a pure
craze Certain It iS hat