The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1908-10-21
SECOND PROPOSED AMENDMENT.

SECOND PROPOSED AMENDMENT.
The second proposed amendment is
contained In Chapter Alb of the Laws OF
Minnesota for the year 1907. BY this
amendment it is sought to repeal Section
sixteen (f6) of Article nine 10y OF the
Constitution, which section now reads as
follows:
For the purpose of lending aid in the
construction and improvement of public
highways and bridges, there is hereby
created a fund to be known as the State
Road and Bridge Fund. Said fund shall
include all moneys accruing from the in
come derived from investments in the
internal improvement land fund. or that
may hereafter accrue to said fund, and
shall also include all funds accruing to
any state road and bridge fund, however
provided.
''I he legislature is authorized to add to
such fund for the purpose of constructing
or improving roads and bridges of this
state, by providing, in its discretion for
an annual tax levy upon the property Of
this state of not to exceed in any year
one-twentieth (1-20) Of one % mill on
all the taxable property within the state.
THE legislature is also authorized to
provide for the appointment, by the gov
ernor of the state, OF a board to be
known as the State Highway Commits
sion, consisting of three 90 members,
who shall perform such duties as shall be
prescribed by law without salary or COM
pensation other than personal expenses
Such commis sion shall have general
Superintendent OF the construction OF
state roads and bridges and shall use
such fund in the construction thereof and
distribute the same in the several coun-
ties IN the state upon an equitable basfs.
Provided further, that no county shal re-
ceiye in any year more than three CD
per cent or less than one-haF (l2) OF one
ID per cent of the total fund thus pro
yided and expended durin" such year;
and, provided further, that no more
than one-third G-3) Of such fund accru-
ing in any year shall be expended Tor
bridges, and in no case shall more than
One-third (1-3) of the cost of construc-
ton or improving any road or bridge be
paid by the state from such fund,
and to substitute therefor the following:
Section 16 For the purpose of lend
ing aid in the construction and improve
ment of public highways and bridges,
there is hereby created fund to be
known as the State Road and Bridge
Fund Said fund shall include all moneys
accruing from the income derived from
investments in the internal Improvement
land fund. or that may hereafter accrue
to said fund, and shall also include all
funds accruing to any state road and
bridge fund, however provided.
The legislature is authorized to add to
such fund, for the purpose of construct
ing or improving roads and bridges Of
| this state, by providing, in its discretion,
for an annual tax levy upon the property
of this state"
The purpose and effect of this amend
| ment is to authorize the legislature to
! levy upon all the property of the state
! any amount necessary, in Its Judgment,
! for the benefit OF the roads and bridges
| therein, and In 50 far removes the Iinita-
/ ton which now exists in the Constitution,
| whereby the legislature is prevented
! from Ievyine for sucn purpose tax ex-
/ ceeding one twentieth G-20) Of one %
! mill on the taxable property within the
! state.
/ This amendment further authorizes the
| legislature to provide salary and compen-
saton, including personal expenses in
CURED in the performance of duty by the
! highway commission, or any other like
officer entrusted by law with similar du-
ties.
Finally this amendment removes the
| limitation which now exists in the Con-
| stitution upon the powers of the highway
| commission in the distribution Of the road
| and bridge fund of the state thereby au-
| thorIzed, and the amount which the state
may pay from such fund toward the cost
| of constructing or improving any road or
| bridge, and leaves the whole management
| of such fund to be provided for by law,
as the legislature shall deem wise.
/ he adoption of this amendment will
not Interfere with the power of the egis-
Iature to create a highway commission
and define its powers, nor will it inter-
fere with the appointment and tenure OF
office of the present commission.
THIRD PROPOSED AMENDMENT.
The third proposed amendment is con-
tanned in Chapter 379 of the Laws OF
| Minnesota for the year 1907. BY this
amendment II is sought to add the follow
ing section to Article nine (9) Of the Con-
stituton as new section
Section II. The legislature may pro-
| vide for the payment by the State OF
Minnesota OF damages to growing crops
by hail and wind, or either, and to pro-