The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1904-10-13
FORSl ILL., MISSOURI THURSDAY OCTOBER 13 a
The Proposed Constitutions, Anne ents


The approach of the general election
r emphasizes, as usual, the fact that thu
state has out-grown her constitution
and the pressing need of new instru
ment, up.to'date and fitting present re.
quirements. The instrument has be.
come II veritablo patchwork, the origi-
nal INSTRUMENT consisting of fifteen
articles having been supplemented by
eighteen amendments, and five more
proposed amendments are to be SUBJ
mitted TO the voters this fall, as follows:
The first amendment is TO enable
cities OF 100000 inhabitants or more to
pension members of their police de-
partments who may become disabled,
crippled or supcrannuated, and to
provide relief for their widows and
minor children. The amendment is
loosely drawn, ia that il does not
stipulate that as condition precedent
tosuch aid the disability shall have
been incurred in the discharge of duty,
and makes no provision in regard to
time of service necessary to eItitle its
beneiiciaries TO such penison. However
the matter is one which is of chief con,
Germ to the cities, and may very proper
ly be left to their decision.
The second amendment proposes TO
establish the "initiativo anu refer.
endum," but is SO hedged about as to
he difficult to understand and unsatis.
factory to those who are in favor of
that method of legislation, while any
succeeding legislature can repeal any
law so enacted. Tho amendment does
not seem to the Republican to be de-
sirablc addition to the fundamental
law of the state.
The third amendment provides for
the levy of\a state tax of five cents on
each one hundred dollars for the pur.
pose of providing text books for the
free use OF children in the public
schools. This amendment has the
sanction OF both leading political par.
ties, and is carefully aud practically
drawn. The writer believes it should
pass, for reasons which will occur 10
any thoughtful mind.
Amendment four provides that rail
roads and all other transportation CON.
panies doing business In the state shall
furnish passes or free Transportation to
state and judicial officers. Legislators
and superintendent of institutions
supported by state appropriations. The
proposition is class Legislation of the
rankest kind, and inconsistent with the
spirit Of our institutions. 1t should be
showed underb by the voters ofall parties.
The fifth and last provides for the
levy OF a tax OF four cents on each one |
hundred dollars for four years TO pro.
vide fund for the erection of a NJ "
state capitol building. This will pro-
duce fund on the valuation of last
year little in excess of S31, 200, or
making u proper allowance for the in.
crease OF state wealth; of about $780,
QUO. The present state capital is not
only inadequate but in disreputable
state Of repair and anything but a
credit to the great state of Missouri.
The amount proposed to be raised is not
excessive. The Iowa state capitol cost
a million and quarter. The Repub.
lican believes it to be good policy to
provide building thatis is both adequate
and creditable to the state, and hence
is in favor OF the amendment.
In the above paragraphs the Re.
puts forth only its own views,
with no wish TO dictate the attitude Of
any voter and trusts that each citizen
will act upon his own judgment in de.
termining his ballot. One thing, how.
ever, should be borne in mind. viz:
1t is not sufficient to leave your ballot
blank on any OF these propositions to
which you are opposed, as the result
is determined by majority Of the bal
lots cast on any proposition, and a fail.
ure to vote on a given measure simply
amounts to having no voice whatever
in the settlement Of that question. |