Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1906-10-27
SUBSCRIPTION RATES:
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
Voters in Idaho on, the 9Th of next
month will have q duty to perform III
the way they will treat the amend
ments to the state constitution. There
ought to be great deal of study given
these amendments. First thought
would suggest that some special inter
ests in Idaho had Hobbies at work in the
last legislature and that the questions
to be submitted to the voters are the
fruits Of their efforts. This paper
would not prejudice its readers against
Hobbies, but it does want to remind the
voter that all questions that come up
through the efforts Of Hobbies have
back Of them the united strength and
support of the interests to BE- affected
by the new legislation. They are
organized; the voterms are not. 4 great
percentage of those who vote this fall
will do more guessing than anything
else when they vote on these amend
ments, and large percentage will not
express desire one way or the other.
History Of legislation shows that most
questions of this character carry when
submitted to the people, and it is b.
cause the matters ars not given the
thought and study that they Should BE-
given. The News would much preferred
to have heard the proposed amendments
discussed by campaign orators this fall.
But for some reason questions 80 near
home do not appear to have the effect
in arousiHIgs the enthusiasm desired by
the spell binder. ~
In the absence of lie information
that might have been impaired, the
voter will be compelled to use his own
judgment. If the voter is thoughtful
he will remember that Idaho's eonstitu-
ton is late instrument. 1t wis drawn
up by the founders of the state mer
from Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York,
Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and other Older
commonwealth. They Knew some Of
the troubles and dangers those ok
states had passed through, 50 they made
wise provisions when they laid the foun
dation for Che new state. The father,
of Idaho reasoned that railway coAnpan
les should build their lines without 'i casi
donation or it's equivalent from thu
public, just the same as other privat.
businesses are established. They re
membered that Idaho in its early day
was sustained by the taxes from thu
railroads, ana they probably decided tn,
policy was so good it would not be wis
to depart from it. The fathers realizes
the advantages to the public in short
term Offices, and the graft now ram
pant in high political places confirms
their opinion. The fathers knps,%|, tn
power of the sophistry and corrupt in
fiuence of the greedy captains of in
dustry SO they shielded the people from
burdensome taxation which they them
selves might have taken upon them.
This is the age Of railway building il
the northwest. New lines are beinl
built, and the old transcontinental line
are rebuilding on the shortest routes be
tween the seaports On the coast an
the distributing centkrs east of tn
mountains. Idaho lies !. in such posi-
ton that it will be crossed by all o
these lines. The companies want to d
their building with as little expense a
possible. More than that: they wan
our constitution changed so public con
tribution can be made for the enter
prise. They know the value of publ
pride, and they want things changed 8
one community can bid against anothe
to secure the improvement. And Their
when the road is build they ask tn