The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1907-01-25

Cress in the samu matter. These bills
were considered In the senate railroad
committee and one Of them-Jenkins'
bill-was reported back favorably, but
upon request of the railroad represen-
tatives it was afterward withdrawn to
give them an opportunity to go before
the committee in opposition.
Still another bill, by Mundt, prohib.
it's common carriers from limiting
their common law liabilities for dam
ages by contract. 1t Is the custom OF
railroads and telegraph companies to
make contracts with purchasers of
tickets, ETC., limiting liabilities for
damages. Ordinarily the purchaser
such agreement, but afterward finds
It printed on the back of his ticket,
telegram or what not.
Then there are other bills compel
ling connections to be made at juno
ton points; for double damages in
case of suit for injuries or damages
from railroads; providing for greater
powers of assessing railroad property;
requiring railroads to maintain tele-
phones at all depots If there is an ex-
change within five miles; requiring
them to build drains through their
rights of way; requiring them to pro-
vide one brakeman for every two
coaches in passenger and express
| trains; limiting railroad employees to
sixteen consecutive working hours and
several other matters are sought to be
regulated so that If only a portion of
them become laws the railroads are
bound to be good.
To Equaiize Assessments.
The state is prosperous and the
value of the property Is constantly
augmenting, yet we experience the
difficulty which is common in most
states of securing an equitable or sufi-
Client assessment. Some classes Of
property quite escape the tax gatherer
or pay so small an amount as to be
distinctly favored. Our constitutional
provision on the subject was made at
a period when it was deemed wise to
very closely limit the powers Of legis-
latures and in practical fact that thing
was overdone. In consequence the
legislature has at every session found
its hands tied when it undertook some
important legislation relating to taxa
tion and revenues. The conviction
has now become general that general,
rather than specific limitations upon
the legislature, is the wisest course
and in that view Senator Jenkins has
proposed constitutional amendment
which Is In the exact language Of the
revenue amendment to the cOnstitu-
ton of Minnesota. At present we are
compelled to assess all property at its
value in cash. II the proposed amend.
ment is adopted it will be possible to
assess some classes of property upon
Its cash value, other classes by gross
earnings and still others upon a spe.
cific tax basis. The amendment also
expressly provides for income and in.
heritance taxes.
In his farewell message Governor
Elrod recommended that as a matter
Of good conscience and comfy the pro
ceeds of the North Carolina bonds
given to this state for the benefit OF
the university be refunded to that
state. He indicated that an additional
offer of $4,000 had been rendered by
the bOndholders, but that he had
promptly declined the offer His rec
ommendation upon the subject has
created good deal Of lobby discussion
and Senator Dillon has introduced
bills to carry the suggestion into eff
feet. One bill appropriates the money
for the purpose and another repeals
the special act under which the gif
was accepted by the governor It II
too early to give reliable consensus
CT opinion upon the subject, but i
would appear from talk among thu
members that the bills will pass A.
they carry appropriations it will re
quire two-thirds to make them ef
fective.
Uniform School Books.
Two propositions are before the leg
islateure providing for uniform sys
TENS Of school books up to the nintl
grade. The first was introduced II
the senate by Mr.. Goodsell and in tn
house by Mr. Hornby of Moody coun
ty and the other in the senate by Nh
Dowdell of Sanborn and in the hous'
by Mr.. Fitch of Turner The bills ar,
alike in general scope, but differ II
detail. Each provides for board t.
be appointed by the governor to adop
books and Ak schedules of prices.
existing book companies will furnisl
books adopted at schedule prices tha
method of obtaining them will be pul
sued, but If they will not so furnisl
them then the state shall publisl
, similar books to be sold at the cos
of publication. The bills provide fre
text book options to districts. TIL
general opinion is that the educationa