Mexico weekly ledger., 1900-04-12
PROPOSED ORANGES OF LAWS.
Seven State Constitutional Amend-
msnts to Be Voted on at the Next
November Election.


It 10 not generally known, but it b q
fact, that there are seven proposed
amendments TO the constitution OF
the State OF Missouri to be voted 90
at the coming election, next Novem-
Der. At present il Is well that the
people be informed in regard to the
proposed changes In the fundamental
law Of the State, as they will be called
upon to pass upon them. These seven
amendments we're arranged for sub
mission to the qualified voters OF the
State by the FortIeth General Assem-
bly,.
The first amendment provides that
IN addition to taxes authorised 10 be
levied for county purposes under
Section 2, Article 10, Of tbe consiitu-
ton, tho County Court in the several
counties OF the State not under town
ship organization, ana the township
board OF directors Ia the several conn
ties under township organization, may
In their discretion levy and collect oil
special tax not exceeding Is cents on
each one hundred dollArs valuation 10
be used for road and bridge purposes
said power given County Courts and
Town Boards lie to be discretionary
power. This amendment 10 not 10
apply to st. Louis, Kansas City and
81. Joe.
The second amendment provides
for q trial by jury Of civil aud criminal
cases, in courts not Of record, BY less
than u men, and that . two-thirds
majority Of such number prescribed
By law may render q verdict In civil
cases, and that In the trial by jury of
all civil cases in courts OF record
thr~ee-fourths OF the members Of the
jury c~oncurring may render q verdict.
A grand jury under this amendment
shall consist of IL men, but 9 concur
ring may find a true bill.
The third amendment provides that
no member shall be prosecuted Grim
inally for felony, misdemeanor or
otherwise than by indictment or In
Formation, which shall be concurrent
remedies, but this shall not apply to
cases in the land or naval forces, or In
the militia in active service In time
Of war or public danger.
The fourth amendment provides
that the right Of trial BY jury shall re-
main i~nviolate, but q Jury for the trial
Of criminal or civil cases In courts not
OF record may consist Of less than II
men, as may be prescribed BY law.
Hereafter a grand Jury shall consist Of
IL men, 8 of whom may md an in
dictment or a true bin, provided,
however, that no grand jury shall be
convened except on the order OF
Judge OF a court having the power to
try and determine felonIes. When so
assembled grand jury shall have pow
er to investigate and indict for all
grades of crime.
The fifth amendment provides that
a mortgage, deed of trust, contract or
other obligation by which q debt lie
secured, email, as regards assessment
and taxation, be deemed and treat
ed as an interest In the property
except as to railroads and equasi pub
lie interpretations. In case OF debts
go secured the value OF property af-
fected by such mortgage less the value
Of such security shall be assessed to
the owner of the property. Taxes so
levied shall be q lien upon the prop
erty and security and may be paid by
either party. II paid by the owner OF
the security the tax so levied upon
the property affected shall become o.
part Of the debt so secured. II the
owner Of the property shall pay the
tax on the security, IL shall constitute
a payment thereon, and q full dis
charge OF the indebtedness to the ex-
tent OF said payment. All this 10 cor.
tingent upon the equal and fair as.
sessment OF property and security.
The assessor must diminish or increase
ments that may have been made.
The sixth amendment gives the city
Of St. Louis the power to Issue Eve
million four pee cent bonds for the
celebration OF the Louisiana Purchase
centennial. II the majority OF the
voters OF ST. Louis at the election are
against the adoption of this amend
ment, the bonds shall not be issued.
The seventh amendment provides
that the General Assembly shall have
the power to appropriate from funds
IN the State sinking fund an amount
not exceeding one million dollars to
exhibit the resources Of the State ct
the Worlds Fair In 1908.