Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-11-13
WILL HAVE
MUCH TO DO
Iowa Law-Make " Have
Their Hands Fuh sng-
ing the Corhte
State
SUGGESTED REFOR MS.
II Is Said That the Prohibitionists See
Chance to Engraft That Doctrine
suffrasists Also Talking - Amend
Taxation Laws.


Taxation Laws.
Des Moines, Nov. 12.-When the
announcement was first made that the
constitutional convention proposition
had probably carried at the late cleo
tion much surprise was expressed,
and it was the almost universal yer-
dict that such convention would be
useless. But when it appeared GER
tain that convention of this charac-
ter had been ordered by the electors
many, on second thought, decided
that a few changes might be made
with profit SO long as it had been de-
cided to go to the expense of calling
such body together. and leaders of
movements that have failed in the
past took hope and began prepara-
ton for taking before the constitu-
tional convention the things which
they have tried in vain to have made
into laws by legislatures.
Prohibitionists See a Chance.
1t is expected that prohibition lead
ers will make an attempt to have pro-
hibition engrafted into the constitu-
tion. The leaders have taken hope,
and will, it is said, make vigorous
campaign when the time comes for Sc
1ecting delegates to the constitutional
BODY.
Suffragists Talking.
The equal suffragists having failed
In their efforts with legislatures, prob
ably will try to secure favorable ac-
ticn by the convention, and it is learn
ed their campaign to this end will be-
gin as soon as it is known for GER
tainty that the convention proposi-
tion received the endorsement of the
voters.
Important Changes.
OF the more important changes that
have been suggested by prominent
Judges and lawyers may be mention
ed the abolition of the state executive
council, the giving Of greater latitude
In the matter of taxing corporations,
the establishment of charter system
for the city governments, and the in
sertion of strong section for the reg
ulation of trusts.
The executive council is made up of
the governor, secretary of state, treas
urer and auditor. 1t was created by
legislative enactment. and is not men,
tened in the constitution.
To Amend Taxation Laws.
Many of the taxation laws of this
state have been declared unconstitu-
tional. The constitutional provision
that legislation must be in general
terms has made it impossible to col
lect special assessments for improve
ments in many instances, and any
levy of this kind has come to be look
ed upon as one which the property
owner can escape And it is contend
ed the part of the constitution which
says that corporations shall be taxed
the same as individuals should be
made more explicit, owing to the con-
truction put upon it by the supreme
court.
The present constitution limits the
indebtedness of cities to 5 per cent
of the valuation of the taxable prop
erty. Those persons who favor muni-
cipal ownership will doubtless urge
upon the convention the desirability
of raising the limit, SO that public util-
tiles may be purchased.
The Charter System.
The charter system will have its
friends before the. convention, and
there will be those who will declare
that in the debt limit law the taxpay-
ers find their only protection against
l. theorists who would have ,the
municipality go hopelessly in debt for
utilities that would be better owned
and managed by private individuals.
Power of Legislation.
If the convention proposition has
carried the present legislature, which,
b. the terms of the Titus amendment,
will meet a year from this winter, will
decide the time and place of holding
the constitutional convention, will say
how many delegates shall be chosen
and will indicate the manner of their
selection. The people will vote for
the delegates, however, the legislature
simply having the power to say In
what manner it shall be done.
May Fail of Ratification.
1t is possible, if not probable, that
the convention may be held and
amendments adopted which will fail
of ratification when submitted to the
people. Such an outcome is to be ex-
pected in case the convention favors
prohibition or suffrage or some other
movement in relation to which the