The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-10-08
FOUR QUESTIONS Up
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
WHICH THE VOTERS WILL
PASS UPON
WILL WOMEN HAVE VOTES
Right to Exercise Elective Fran
chises for Certain Boards--PrO-
posed Creation of Road md
Bridge Fund-The Period of the
Life of Charter COmmIssiOns.

Four constitutional amendments will
be placed on the state ticket at the
general election in November. In a.
circular which has been issued by At
torney General Childs a synopsis Of
each amendment is printed, as well as
the existing law.
Inc first amendment gives additional
privileges to women in exercising their
right Of elective franchise. The amend
ment, if carried, will permit women TO
vote for members Of library boards,
and to be eligible to become members
OF such boards, in addition to a right
to vote on school matters and to hold
offices pertaining to the schools as pro-
vlded for by the original section s, Of
article Z, Of the constitution. Further
more the constitution will be self-oper-
at1ve and not dependent upon legis-
IatlVe action, as is the case under the
present wording of the constitution.
In another amendment it is proposed
to add an additional section to article
y, which will in effect create u
state road and bridge fund" This
fund is to be derived from investments
or the internal improvement land fund
The legislature is also authorized to
provide In it's discretion for an annual
tax levy on the property In this state
not to exceed twentieth of one mill
the proceeds Of the tax to be added to
the state road and bridge fund. It
further provides that the legislature
may authorize the governor to appoint
board to be known as the estate high
way commission" to consist Of three
members who shall serve without pay.
The commissioners will exercise func-
lions as overseeing board, superintend-
ing the construction of all roads and
bridges in the state, and shall dis
tribute the fund to the several coun-
ties on an equitable basis. They will
have all expenses incurred in the per-
formance of their duties paid by the
state. The assistance to be given the
counties lis contingent upon an appro-
priation equal1ng two-thirds of the cost
of the bridge or road by the county
where it Is to be built.
1t is proposed to amend article II,
section 1, Of the constitution, relating
to the submission Of proposed amend
ments to the constitution. The pro-
posed change provides in order to be-
come effective any amendment to the
constitution shall receive ''the vote of
a majority Of all the electors voting at
said election instead of a majority OF
''all voters present and voting" as
provided by the original section Of the
constitution.
Perhaps the most important amend
ment is proposed to article 4, section
So, Of the constitution, which prescribes
the duties and method Of holding office
Of charter commissions, created by
special acts Of the legislature. The
proposed changes are as follows:
First-The term of Office OF the commission
will be restricted by the proposed amendment
to six years, instead Of being unlimited, as is
the case under the existing constitution
S6cOQd-Ine commission TeQUirp6 under
the proposed amendment to submit proposed
amendments of the charter Of the city or vii
lage upon petition or application by per
cent Of the legal voters. Thus they will be
deprived, If the amendment is ratified, Of the
discretionary authority conferred by the ex-
listing constitution.
provided that where a legislative body con-
sists of two houses, "at least one of them
shall be. elected by a general vote of the
citizens"
By the proposed amendment, such election
must be by a general vote ''of the electors"
Fourth-Under the existing constitution it
is provided that the legislature may provide
general laws relating to the affairs of Cities
the application Of which may be limited
To cities Of over fifty thousand inhabitants,
To cities Of fifty thousand inhabitants and
not less than fifteen thousand Inhabitants, or
To cities of fifteen thousand inhabitants or
less, etc.
By the proposed amendment 1t is provided
that the legislature may provide general laws
relating to the affairs of cities, the applica-
ton Of which may be limited
To cities of over fifty thousand inhabitants,
or
To cities Of fifty thousand and not less than
twenty thousand inhabitants or
To cities of twenty thousand and not less
than ten thousand inhabitants, or
To cities Of ten thousand inhabitants or
less, etc.
In other words, there are three classified
lions of cities under the existing constitution,
while under the proposed one there will be
four classes thereof as indicated by the fore
going analYsiS