The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-11-04
Three of the Provisions Relate to
st. Louis in Vital
Affairs.
CONSTITUTION TO BE CHANGED.
Seventh Amendment Affects the
School Fund and Many Organi-
cations Indorse the
Propositions.

Voters will be asked to accept or reject
to-day eight proposed amendments TO the
Constitution which were presented by the
General Assembly at its last session. The
proposed amendments have been printed in
full in every county of the State at least
three times.
Taking the amendments in numerical Or
der and as they will appear OH the ball
lot, the first repeats the amendment which
was adopted two years ago assessing mort
cages on real estate as part of the value
of the property. The Supreme Court has
decided that the amendment of two years
ago, then known far and wide as the third
amendment, could not be enforced.
The second proposed amendment provides
that townships may organize as counties.
Thirteen counties of Missouri are so or
ganized at present, and this amendment
will make 1t possible for the voters in any
county to take such action at a general
election with the approval of the General
Assembly. This simply gives a privilege to
the counties which may, or may not, be
taken advantage of, local needs being the
test.
Amendment No. 3 relates to the city of
St. Louis and provides for the submission
of a new Charter to the voters thereof. after
three-fifthS of the citizens have declared
at an election In favor of the preparation
of the Charter, which shall arrange for a
chief executive and at least one legislative
branch.
This amendment would enable the citi-
Zens to correct the evils now prevalent, 1t
is believed. in the House of Delegates, and
make possible the framing of a new Char
ter. which shall more nearly fit the needs
of the city. This proposes constitutional
amendment has been Endorsed by the Pub
lie Welfare Commission and numerous civic
bodies.
The fourth proposed amendment will en-
able ST. Louis to levy a tax of not exceed
ing 50 cents on the 500 for the purpose OF
erecting public institutions.
SCHOOL AMENDMENTS.
The passage of the amendment will not
impose the tax. but will make the levy pos
sible, If necessary. This amendment has
also been Endorsed by many civic bodies in
81. Louis as well as in other cities of Mis-
souri,, the general provisions of the amend
ment working toward the same end in near
ly all of the municipalities OF the State.
"Children's Amendment is the name
which has been given to the fifth. 1t has
been commenced by labor unions. the St.
Louis School Board and other institutions
interested in the development Of the
schools.
1t will enable the School Board to ask for
a levy of 6 cents on the 500 instead Of 4
claimed that st. Louis will furnish ali pupils
with free textbooks.
Amendment No. 6 will exclude the value
allowed by law in figuring on the debt limit
of the city of st. Louis However. before
any action can be taken on this matter, the
voters OF this city must, by a majority
vote. decide to increase the bonded indebted
ness.
The seventh amendment relates to the GER
~tificates of Indebtedness now held by the
School Fund. Its passage will reduce the
taxation for State purposes from % cents on
the 500 to II cents.
1t will continue the certificates of in
debtedness as part of the form of the
School Fund. Unless it is passed. the State
will be compelled to pay OF the certificates
and buy United States bonds at a premium
ana cut down the revenue to the common
schools about two-thirds.
The eighth amendment will allow cities
of less than 5000 and more than 1000 in
8 per centun of the taxable prop
erty therein for the purpose of erecting
lighting and waterworks plants.
Those amendments relating to St. Louis
have been Endorsed by the Republican and
Democratic City Central Committees and by
the Public Welfare Commission. None OF
them imposes any additional taxation.