The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-27

Session Of the Legislature in 1901 and the Extra
session In 1902 as we'll as a synopsis Of Chapter
,n'oiVhs the taxation of railroad property, to
De submitted to the electors Of the State for
adoption or rejection at the next General Elec-
| ton.
! Yours respectfully,
W. B. DOUGLAS,
Attorney General.
SYNOPSIS OF AMENDMENTS TO THE CON.
| sTITUTION OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA
| PROPOSED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE
IN 1901. AND THE EXTRA SESSION IN
1902, AS WELL AS A SYNOPSIS OF
| CHAPTER $50 OF THE GENERAL LAWS
OF 1901, PROPOSING AN INCREASE OF
| ROAD PROPERTIES.
Pursuant to the provisions of section 32a Of
Article w. of the State Constitution. the Legis
lature by act approved April 8, 1901, known as
Chapter 100 of the General Laws OF 1901, pre-
sent to the electors of the state for rejection or
| approval, the following" to wit;
Section 1. That every railway company own
1{bf or operating any line Of railway situated
Se paT sG sad i state
all property within this state owned or operated
franchises thereon, a sum of money equal to
operation Of such tin line Of railway With
In TINS state; ana the payment of such taxes shall
the property and franchises so taxed The
lands acquired by public grant shall be and re-
main da exempt from taxation until sold or con.
respective acts whereby such grants were made
Sec. 2. The term, "the gross earnings derived
from the operation of such line of railway within
| this state" as. used in section one a. Of this
act is hereby declared and shall be construed to
| earnings business beginning
ending within the state, and proportion Of
all f tat bHsness +n pss
age operated within the state bears to the en-
tr se mileage operated BY such company
lection. time Of payment enforcement, or re-
gross earnings Of railroad eompanies spV Within
this state, or providing penalties for the non
BE to this act SO Far as may BE- and ali acts
and parts of acts inconsistent with the provisions
| OF this act are hereby repealed.
Sec 4. Upon failure to pay the amount Of
such taxes legally, due upon the dates hereto
fore provided by law for the payment thereof,
be enforced in civil action brought in the
name OF the State Of Minnesota in the district
Sec s. This act shall be submitted to the
people Of this state for their approval OF re-
lection at the next general election for the year
(The omitted provision refers to the method
OF printing the ballot and submitting the act 70,
This act provides for an increase in the amount
OF taxes collected by the State upon the prop
erty Of the railroads situated within the State
rived from the operation Of such lines Of railway
within the State, to a sum of money equal to
the t on nsa S
therein.
Under the terms of the Constitution above re.
ferred to, this ACT Of the Legislature must be
submitted to legal voters of the State and will
become operative if adopted by a majority, Of
ton:
By an act of the Legislature Of the State o.
Minnesota, approved February %, 1901, ant
known as House File No. 100, it is proposed te
amend Article Eight 49, section Six (e) of thu
constitution
This section as now existing reads as follows
Section g.. The permanent school and univer-
purchase of bonds of any county, school district
city, town or village Of this state. but such
investment shall be made until approved by the
board Of commissioners designated by law to reg
ulate the Investment of the permanent school
fund Of this State; nor shall such loan invest
ment be made when the issue Of which the same
in part would make the entire bonded indebted
ness exceed seven per cent of the assessed valu
alton Of the taxable real property Of the county,
school district, city, town village issuing
such bonds: nor shall such loans or indebtedness
; be made at lower rate Of interest than three
than five 90 years nor for a longer period than
twenty go? years. and no change Of the town.
SCHOOL village CITY or county lines shall
relieve, the real property in such town, school
district, county, village city in this state at
the time Of issuing of such bonds from any liza
b1lity for taxation to pay such bonds.
1t is proposed by said act to amend the sam
1 so as to read as follows:
Section g.. The permanent school and unver,
sity fund Of this state may be Invested in the
bonds Of any county school district city, town
shall be made until approved by the board of
commissioners designated by law to regulate the
investment Of the permanent school fund and
shall such loan or investment be made when
the bonds to be issued or purchased would make
the entire bonded Indebtedness exceed fifteen
taxable real property of the county, school dis
trict,. city, town or village issuing such bonds;
nor shall such loans or indebtedness be made at
a lower rate of interest than three (3) per cent
per annum for shorter period than five (5)
snd rD no ehange Of the dr.
trict. city, village, or Of county lines, shall re;
lieye the real property in such town school
the time Of the issuing of such bonds from any
liability for taxation to pay such bonds
will be to authorize the investment Of the per:
manent school and university fund Of this state
tTsaS ~: 1T an 9
less than three (S) per cent per annum. in the
Of any o fSa an Ss CITY,
bonded indebtedness Of such municipalities ex
coed fifteen Q5) per cent Of the assessed valua
therein.
The substantial change proposed by said amend
ment is to authorize such investments when thu
entire indebtedness, including tho loan in CUES
ton, does not exceed fifteen (15) per cent of the
assessed valuation of the taxable real property
in such municipalities whereas, under the exist
ing constitution loans are permitted only where
such total indebtedness does not exceed sever
Cd per cent of tho assessed valuation.
III.
! BY an Act of the Legislature of the State o
Minnesota, approved April 10, 1901, and know
as House File No. 1853, it is proposed to Amen
Section Sixteen (16), of Article Nine. (9) of tn
Constitution
The Section now existing reads as follows
Section 16. For the purpose Of lending aid il
the construction and improvement Of public high
ways and bridges there is hereby created a fun
to be known as the estate road and bridge fund.
Said fund shall include all moneys accruing from
the income derived from investments Il
the internal improvement land fund, or that ma.
include all funds accrung to any state road ant
bridge fund. however provided
The legislature is authorized to add to sue
fund for the purpose of constructing or improv
in its discretion for an annual tax levy upon til
property Of this state of not to exceed in an
year one-twentteth Q-201 OF one Il mill on n
the taxable property within the state
The legislature Is also authorized to provide fo
the appointment by the governor Of the stat
. of board to be known as the Estate highwa
commission consisting OF three 60 members
who shall perform such duties shall be pre-
scribed by law, without salary or compensate
other than personal expenses.
Such commission shall have general superir
tendence Of the construction Of state roads an
bridges and shall use such fund In the construc
ton thereof and distribute the same In the sey
eral counties in the state upon an equitabl
- dad thor In M nnfy OH