The Forrest City times., 1904-08-05
MO- i6.
AMENDMENT No. g.
Reasons Why the Country Voters
 Should Support II.

nedSonS why tne country voters
 Should Support II.
 The business men of the state are giving the recent mayors convention their enthusiastic approval in the work of informing the voters as 10 the importance of Amendment No 9, proposed amendment to the state constitution. to be voted on at the en- suing state election. This amend ment gives cities of the first and sec ond class power to issue interest-bear- ing certificates of indebtedness to pay for public improvements. There will he no increase of taxes. and every possible safeguard is thrown around the proposition. After the amend. ment Is adopted, no indebtedness can be made unless ordered by city coun. cils, and not then until the voters ratify the order al the polls. The pro- posed amendment in full Is as fol- lows.
 That cities of the first and second class may issue interest bearing evi- dences of indebtedness Provided, however that before this law shall be effective, the city council of such city pr town shall pass an ordinance specifying for what purpose and for what amount they desire to issue in- terest bearing evidence of indebted uess and the rate of interest to be paid on the same. Said ordi- nance shall be published for thirty days In daily paper, published in such cities or towns, but if there be TO daily papers, then the same shall be published in weekly paper of general circulation in the county in which the city or town is situated Said ordi- nance shall then be submitted to the inhabitants at the next regular or special city election, for ratifca. tion or rejection; and If majority of all the electors voting on such ques- ton are found to be in favor of the ratification, then said ordinance shall be in full force and effect, otherwise | the same shal, be null and void" The adoption of the amendment is urged by the executive committee of he mayors convention, for the follow ing reasons:
 The Country;
 First-The country receives the full pro rata of the increase in taxable values, arising from improvements in it's cities without any increase in taxes, burdens or debt on the people in the country, thereby increasing the school facilities and providing better roads. with the consequent increment in all values from crops to realty.
 Second-It places the city market virtually at the door of every farmer without additional expense.
 Third-lt does not increase the tax able debt of the farmer either directly or indirectly and in fayoring 1t the farmer does not increase the taxes in the cities for the reason that dis counted city warrants work greater hardships than certificates of indebted ness at the lower interest rate.
 The City:
 First-It will relegate forever to deserved oblivion the iniquitous city warrant, so often discounted, and so frequently assuming the shape of the
 
 2ipal ship-the judgment of the court with interest covering the past and running into the future until Shyloek carves out the pound of flesh. The city warrant becomes par and the lab orer receives 100 cents on the dollar.
 Second-lt will bring about the last ing public improvements which in- crease the value for all time of prop erty of every description, advancing villages 10 towns and towns to cities, which while not increasing the tax. increases beyond compare the tax revenue.
 Third-lt means health and long life to the people living in the cities a decrease in the awful mortality among the young-due to the lack of proper sanitary conditions which can only he brought about by the building of modern sewer systems; it means better streets. better schols, better buildings-a better citizenship.