Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1904-06-30
AMENDMENT misunderstood

AMENDMENT MISONOEHS GOD.
TIE people who live outside the
cities OF the first and second classes
Seem to have very incorrect idea as
to the amendment proposed to section
[, article 16, of the state constitution.
and to be voted upon at the next Sep
tember election. They seem to have
an idea that it means the imposition
OF tax on everybody in the state for
municipal improvements in cities OF
the first and second classes. However.
such an erroneous opinion could not be
held by any one except by the unin-
formed. Any person who has given
the organic law of the state a mo-
ment's thought knows that the impo-
sition of a tax upon the people outside
the cities for city improvements can
not be levied and collected, for the
simple reason that it would be uncon-
stitutional There is no law at pres
ent for the levying of such tax, and
no sucn law has ever been proposed.
The language of the proposed amend
ment is as follows:
Article XVI, Section ], Finance and
Observation-Disclosures the state nor any
city, county town or other municipality
In this state shall ever loan its credit
for any purpose whatever; nor shall
any county, city, town or munlclpalty
ever issue any interest-bearing evi-
dences of Indebtedness, except such
bonds as may be authorized by law to
provide for and secure the payment
of the present existing Indebtedness;
and the state shall never issue any in
terest- bearing treasury warrants or
scrip. Provided, that cities Of the first
and second classes may issue interest
bearing evidences Of indebtedness,
Provided. however. that before this law
shall be effective, the city council or
auch city or town shall pass an ordi-
nance specifying for what purpose and
for what amount they desire to issue
interest bearing evidences of indebted
ness and the rate of interest TO he paid
on the same Said ordinance shall be
published for thirty days in daily
paper. published in snch cities or
then the same shall be published in a
weekly paper of general circulation in
the county in which the city or town
is situated. Said ordinance shall then
be submitted to the inhabitants. at the
next regular or special city election,
for ratification or rejection: and if a
such question are found To be in favor
OF the ratification, then said ordinance
shall he in full force and effect. other
wise the same shall be null and void "
1t will be observed that the amend
ment proposed prohibits the lending
OF credit by the state. counties. cities
except as expressly provided in the
case of cities of the first and second
classes and cities OF the first and sec
Cnd classes cannot create a hOndeN
debt for municipal improvements. eX-
cept that the matter is first submitted
to the voters of the city and their sane
tion secured by a majority of all the
electors voting on the proposition.
Unfortunately for the cities of Ar
kansas they cannot create bonded
Indebtedness for municipal improve
mentS unless the constitution of the
state is so amended as to permit them
to do so. and no amendment to the con
stitution can be made except that tn
amendment is first submitted to the
voters of the state for approval or re-
lection. An amendment granting to
the cities of the first and second class
es the right TO issue interest-bearln
evidences of debt for municipal inn
provements is now before the people
of the state for approval or rejection
The only taxpayers who can in any
way be affected by the amendment,
want It, and no voter outside the cities
to be affected by the amendment
should vote against the amendment
and thereby prevent the people from