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

fifteen constitutional amendments, car
rying nine and defeating six and show
ing much discretion in the voting.
The largest vote was naturally on
the first amendment relative to bonds
for the states educational system and
this also had the largest majority
against it, being defeated by 38.5 per
cent to 61.5 per cent. This was not
caused by any opposition to educa-
ton, because No. s, removing the
limit on appropriations for the state
university, was carried by 81 per
cent.
The amendment which had the Sec
ond largest vote was No. Z relative
to pensions for confederate veterans
and it was carried by SO per cent to
IL per cent The third highest was
No. 3 which allowed exemption from
taxation on railroads built after jan
uary /, 1905 for ten years and this was
defeated by So per cent to Al per cent.
Then comes No. II which provided for
the filling OF vacancy in the sheriff's
Office by special election and it was
carried by vote of 70 per cent to Fl
per cent. Then followed No. IL, No.
13 and No. IA which provided special
elections for vacancies in the offices
of district judges, attorneys and
clerks, all carried by about the same
majorities.
The smallest vote was on the last
amendment, No. Is which was really a
local question about municipal sewer
districts. 1882 votes were cast for 1t
against 34,039 votes for No. / and 1t
was carried by a good majority.
One can not study these votings
without being impressed by the fact
that though the totals on them were
smaller than the votes cast for can
didates, yet there was a great deal
more discrimination shown. Thus
there were 53,872 votes cast for presi-
Dental electors, 52,507 for congress
men and 39,S67 for a judicial office
while the largest vote on these amend
ments was 34,039, or about 70 per cent
of the presidential vote. But it must
be remembered that the vote on judges
was only about rs per cent of the pres
idential vote.
In 1900 the vote for presidential cleo
tors was 69,904 and in 1896, it was
l01, 406. So that the presidential vote
has shrunk greatly in four years and /
to nearly one-half in eight years.
Maine.
Only one amendment was voted on
IN Maine. It increased the salaries of
he executive council and members
Of both houses of the legislature from
$3.50 to $500 a year and of the presi-
lent of the senate and speaker of the
house from $500 to $500. 1t was de-
feated by a vote of II ,047 in favor to
3o,535 against. 1t would seem by this
hat three-fourths of the voters of
Maine who took enough interest to
vote, were almost willing that their
should make living illegiti-
mately becaus they certainly are not
willing to pay them decently for their
Think of paying $3.50 year
% members of the legislature; ten
lines that amount would not be out
II the way. At the 1902 election no.
700 votes were cast hence only about
lO per cent as many votes were cast
IN this constitutional amendment as
we're cast at an off election for COVER
lor. But only $4,000 votes were cast
or election in 1904 so that one-sixth
If those voting for governor in 1902
lid not vote for president in 1904.
Michigan.
Two questions were voted on in
Michigan. The first was: Shall a con-
'ention for the purpose of general
evision Of the constitution be held?"
This carried by 1928 to 120,01S. /
The second was constitutional
providing that certain
'oards shall have the power to fix
and claims in the diff
erent counties in the state and this
arried by 1915 to 9S,657.
Neither of these followed the vote
or electors which was about three to
ne for the republican electors.
Minnesota.
The people of Minnesota carried ]
hree constitutional amendments. The
irst increased the gross earnings tax
IN railroads from three to four per {
ent and was carried by 240,57S to
0,51S. The second provided for
he loaning Of the permanent school
# university funds to or the purchase
l. Is ~ 4