Mexico Missouri message., 1904-03-10
Missouri DoingCs.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
TO STATE CONSTITUTION
Governmental Reforms the People
win Vote on at the next Election.

Jefferson City, Mo: Little attention
thus far has been given to the pro-
posed amendments to the constitution
which are to be submitted to the voters
at the ensuing election, though they
are OF more than ordinary interest and
Importance. One OF them seeks to
provide for free school books; another
to create a fund for the building Of
a State capitol; one relates TO the in
iRtive and referendum; one recon-
mends the establishment Of a national
military park, and another seeks TO
escape from the influence the railroad
pass is supposed TO exert over State
officials, the judiciary, members OF the
General Assembly, officials of the
State institutions, and certain county
officers. by compelling the railroad
companies to grant free passes or
transportation to them.
Taken in the order in which they
we're adopted by the General Assem-.
bly,, these proposed amendments to
the constitution are as follows:
The first provides for the Initiative
and referendum; that no laws passed
by the General Assembly and signed
by the Governor shall go into effect
until ninety days after the adjourn.
ment of such General Assembly; that
a number of electors, not less than 10
per cent of the total voting for Gov
ernOr at the general election preced-
ing, shall, by filing a petition with the
Secretary of State, require that any
law passed by the General Assembly
shall be referred to the electors of the
State at the next general election for
their approval or disappToval. Each
Congressional district must furnish its
quota of the 10 per cent of electors
as signers to the petition. For initial
ing laws a 10 per cent. petition of the
electors from each Congressional dis
trict is required. For amending the
constitution a petition of 20 per cent.
of the electors must be filed. ApprO-
priation acts, laws for the immediate
preservation of the public peace,
heath and safety and acts passed by
twO-thirds vote of each branch of
the General Assembly shall go into
effect Immediately, without regard to
the general ninety days prohibition.
The next is Senator Rubey's free
school book resolution. 1t provides
that a State tax OF cents on the
500 assessed valuation shall be levied
and collected annually on all subjects
and objects of taxation. All money
derived from said levy shall be set
apart and apportioned to the school
districts of the State annually, as
other school moneys are apportioned
by law. Every school district shall
out Of said moneys supply text books
on photography, reading and English,
penmanship, arithmetic, grammar,
modern geography, history of the
United States, civil government and
physiology and hygiene for the free
use of children in the public schools,
and the remainder, IL any, may be used
for the purchase of text books for the
higher grades for like use, or for other
school purposes.
Another of these amendments is one
TO permit the pensioning of members
Of police departments in cities of 10O,-
600 or over when such members may
become crippled, disabled or superan-
nuated, the funds TO come from the
municipal revenues of such cities. This
amendment affects only st. Louis, Kan
sas City and st. Joseph.
One of the amendments, II adopted,
permits the levy, for five years, Of an
annual tax of cents on the 500 val
uation of the real and personal prop
erty OF the State for the purpose of
creating fund for the erection of a
new State capitol.
Here is the one through which Rep
resentative oliver, who introduced 1t,
hopes to minimize II not destroy the
influence of the lobbyist. Every rail-
road or other transportation company
doing business in this State shall
grant free passes or transportation
10 the Governor, Lieutenant Governor,
Secretary Of State, Attorney General,
State Auditor. State Treasurer, Super
intendent of public schools, railroad
commissioners, judges of the Supreme
Court, judges Of the st. Louis and
Kansas City courts Of appeals. circuit
and common pleas judges, members OF
the General Assembly, Sheriff. presi-
dent or superintendent Of public insti.
tutions supported by appropriations,
during the official term of said several
officers.
Another recommends to Congress
the establishment Of a national milf
tary park In Greene County, to include
the battle field Of Wilson creek.