The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-27
THE AMENDMENTS


While the house is diverting itself with
tax bills why cannot the senate be doing
something in the way Of formulating
amendments? If the senate waits for the
house in this matter it is likely to be the
latter part of next week before it de-
votes itself to a subject that it might as
we'll take the lead on. The house judi
ciary committee is in favor of restricted
amendments to the constitution. Perhaps
the senate can work out something broad
er. There are enough good lawyers and
Jealous tax reformers in the senate to
give something worth talking about in
the way OF amendments, if they are not
satisfied with those proposed by the COM
mission. -..'. -..
The most serious objection we have
heard to the commissions amendments is
that embodying, as they do, four different
propositions and altering three different
sections of Article TX. of the constitu-
ton, they are likely to bewilder and dis
courage the voter from taking any action
on them. 1t has been suggested that this
difficulty can be obviated by providing for
striking summary of each of the amend
ments. What is required is something
that will appeal to the voter and catch
his eye without calling for great concen-
tration of attention.
About the simplest proposition for COM
prehensive constitutional amendment that
has yet been made is that of Senator
ybar chr
are confined to Section 3 of Article TX.
OF the constitution. The Baldwin amend
ment does not, however, provide specifi-
caIly for mining tax. In view of the
TACT that it is question whether the
constitution as it now stands, in Section II
or Article TX. really authorizes a tonnage
TAX on ore, 1t Is advisable to make a
specl1c provision Of that kind. Coming
from democrat the Baldwin amendment
IS not likely to receive much considera-
ton, but 1t may yet be worth while for
some republican member to submit such
an amendment as the following, which
differs from the Baldwin bill in providing
specifically for mining taxes:
Amend section S of article Of the -consti
tuition, so as to read as follows:
Section S-Laws shall be passed taxing for
public purposes all moneys credits. invest
ments in bonds, stocks, joint stock COMPANIES
or otnerWlse; all charters, special privileges
and franchises, whether granted by the state
or any political subdivision thereof; also al
real and personal property, according to it's
true value In money, and the income of indi
yiduals or corporations above a given an7ount
to be fixed by the legislatures; and aIso the
output or product OF individuals or corpora
lions engaged in mining; and in lieu Of anv
such tax imposed upon Incomes or the ontn1,t
Or product Of mines, the legislature NAV ex
empt any one or more of the above classes Of
property Ii other than real estate, from taxa
sschoolhouses. public hospitals, academies col
Eieges, unlyerslties ana all seminaries of learn
Ing, all churches church property used for
religious purposes, and houses of worsbin
institutions of purely public charity nuh1ic
property used exclusively for any public nur-
exceeding in value, 5000 for each inGividn nT'
shall, by general laws, be exempt from tara
tiOn. = 900
This amendment is not so broad in its
effects as the commissions amendments
1t would make it impossible to experi-
ment with local option, a graduated in
come tax exempting improvements on real
estate and the like. Yet it would give
great latitude and may, perhaps. be as
broad measure as will find favor with
the legislature or the people It has the
advantage that it can all be printed on
the ballot with ease. It sounds we'll and
appeals-to one at the first glance. More
over it involves but one compact change.
All that the voter is to pass on is pre-
sented to him when he takes up his bal
lot. Tn Journa offers this SUCCESS
ton tor what it may prove to be worth
In the deliberations of the legislature It
seems to be greatly pre- ferable to the mon
grel amendments favored by the house
> judiciary committee.