The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-31
Remember the Amendments.

Rosing campaign effort thinly disguised.
Remember the Amendments.
The journal has on several occa-
sions discussed the three constitutional
amendments and the law, equivalent to
such an amendment, which the voters of
Minnesota will pass on next Tuesday,
They are so important that we desire
again to call the attention Of our readers
to them.
The law increasing the rate of taxation
Of the gross earnings Of railway corpora
tons from to per cent, which, by the
constitution, must be submitted to the
voters before it becomes valid, Is Of the
most immediate Importance. It will have
the effect of increasing the taxes Of the
railways of Minnesota about $3.50,
The direct result of such an increase
will be a decrease in the amount of state
taxes paid by other property. The law Is
a step towards equalizing the distribu-
ton Of the burden of taxation. 1t is a
law in which every citizen of the state
has g. direct business interest, and it is
almost uncomfortable that there should be
enough ignorance, lack Of interest and
opposition to it, combined, to cause Its
rejection. What danger there Is proceeds
from the habitual Indifference Of many
voters to all constitutional Sam endments;
and it requires majority Of all votes cast
at the election to adopt the law, no mat
+o,. 1,/r nntI nta Io n.
ments at all. "
It is just asrimportant that every re-
publican voter should express his approval
Of this law as that he should vote for
Governor Van SAINT. The law is a, sub
stantia1 expression Of Governor Van SAINTS
policy of granting no special favors or
privileges to the railway corporations Of
the state.
The amendment increasing the scope Of
the legislatures powers in the matter Of
taxation is worthy Of the support Of all
Minnesotans who look forward to a time
when taxes will be imposed evenly and
equitably. Reform in such a complex
matter as taxation by successive constitu-
tional amendments Is slow and cumbrous.
The legislature should have greater au-
thority than it has now, and this amend
ment will grant it, and make it possible
for Minnesota to begin to work toward a
scientific taxation system.
The amendment permitting the invest
ment of the permanent school and univer-
sity fund of the state in the bonds of any
county, school district, city, village or
te~-''o Of the state, when with the addition
.ch bonds the outstanding bonded in
>tedness of the municipality is not more
Of the municipality, is worthy Of support.
It changes the constitution as it stands
only in the percentage Of the limit Of in
debtedness which is now per cent and
absurdly low.
The amendment increasing the perma-
twentieth to one-tenth Of mill is well
enough in itself, but as in doing SO it kills
an excellent provision Of the constitution
as it is, it should be defeated. One tenth
Of mill is not too much for the road and
bridge fund, but as the effect of the
state highway commission, its adoption
means that there. will only be so much
more public money to be wasted by a poor
system of expanding it. The highway
commission provision of the constitution
should be kept, and the next legislature
should enact a law constituting such a
commission. After that, an amendment
increasing the road and bridge tax will be
welcome. But if the state government Is
going to levy taxes for the improvement
of roads it should direct charge Of the
disbursement of the resulting revenue
Only in that way can the state really en-
courage and promote the good roads
movement. --.e-s~. .~--~.
Az all of the amendments will be
summed up at the top of the state ballot,
the voter will be reminded Of them before
his eye catches the list of candidates, and
he has not, therefore, the most trivial of
excuses for not voting on them.