The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-04-20

time after. But should law giving
a franchise be repealed after II had
been worked for some time, great IN
justice and many legal complications
might arise. Also il contains no pro-
vision for a reasonable time for pub
lie debate on law submitted The
law must be submitted at the next en-
suing election even if the petition is
only filed a few days before that cleo
ton. The clause mot held within thir-
| ty or sixty days" should be inserted
there.
The second section is very stringent
but "a good one.
South Dakota.
Three constitutional amendments
were submitted in South Dakota. The
first permanently located the capital
at Mitchell in Davidson county and it
was defeated by 41,155 yes to 5S,617
no. The second gave the attorney
state officers and it too was defeated
by 32,32S yes to 43,974 no. The third
was long one relating to the invest
ment and accounting of school and
other educational moneys and it looks
like very good amendment and 1t
carried by 1861 yes to PLAZA no.
Much interest must have been felt In
the first amendment as 1t had within
a few hundred as many votes as were
cast for presidential electors, nearly
100000. The second had 10000 and
the third only $4,000. But the figures
show that there was discrimination
shown.
Tennessee.
Seven amendments were voted on
Herald-Democrat of Trenton, Tenn,
says of these: 1--WE see nothing COM
mendable in any of these and have
decided to vote against the whole lot.
There is at least one that is particu-
larly objectionable-tha prohibiting
any county or municipality going into
debt beyond 10 per cent of the as
sessed value of its property. If we
want to go into debt, it is nobody's
business but our own"
The Bristol Courier says: Not a
campaigner has had the temerity to
discuss the amendments"
The Lynchburg Falcon says: mo
matter how meritorious some of the
amendments may be, the 'flim-flam'
method of their submission should
cause their defeat The constitution
provides that an amendment before
adoption must receive majority of
votes in the affirmative. The legisla-
ture has reversed that method and
says the amendments stand adopted
unless a majority scratch them from
the tickets. A pretty slick trick"
A number of other quotations could
be given showing how unpopular they
were and the method by which they
were to be adopted.
Texas.
Texans voted on three amendment
The first prohibited the legislature |
from making any grant of public mon
ey to any individual or corporation |
save as pensions to INDECENT or dis
abled confederate soldiers and these |
are surrounded with rather severe re-
strictiOns. This carried by 90,042 to |
42,035. The second related to the in
corporation of state banks and it was |
carried by 70,056 to 54,160. The third |
legislation in aid of inter-
nal improvements but when this was
done in any subdivision of the state, it !
had to be submitted to the taxpayers
for referendary vote and be carried I
oy them Often the real PROF.
direct legislation is hidden in just
such amendments. This was carried
oy 5000 to 59,373.
Washington.
The people of Washington by a
1ote of 1900 to 1871 gave their
legislature the power to appoint chap
aims for the state penal and reforma
DRY institutions. More than five times
Is many votes were cast for COVER
Tor as for this unimportant amend
nent =
Wisconsin.
There was a great fight in Wiscon-
in over the primary election law pro-
'iding for direct primaries for nomi-
lating officers and it was submitted
0 vote of the people and carried by
30,366 to 80,f02 Or total of 210,46S 1
'otes There was bitter fight on the
vote which brought out
large vote, larger than for the presi-
ential electors which was 443,014 or
early double on this referendum hut