The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1908-07-17

NALOKEM taxes are dSScSSeu loI
state, county, township. school and
No change from Sec. IL, Art. XIV OF the
present constitution. except to insert the
words i'm capitals.
See L. The legislature may by law
impose specific taxes which shall be
uniform upon the classes upon which
they operate.
Sec. 5. The legislature may provide
by law for the assessment at its true
cash value by a state board of asses
sors, OF WHICH THE GOVERNOR
SHALL BE EX-OFFICIO A MEM
BIER. OF the property Of corporations
SOEVER OWNED, OPERATED OR
CONDUCTED ENGAGED IN THE
BUSINESS OF TRANSPORTING
PASSENGERS AND FREIGHT.
TRANSPORTING PROPERTY BY
EXPRESS, OPERATING ANY UN-
ION STATION OR DEPOT, TRANS
MITTING MESSAGES BY TELE-
PHONE OR TELEGRAPH, LOAN
ING CARS. OPERATING REFRIG-
orator CARS. FAST FREIGHT
LINES OR OTHER CAR LINES AND
RUNNING OR OPERATING CARS
IN ANY MANNER UPON RAIL
ROADS, OR ENGAGED IN ANY
OTHER PUBLIC SERVICE BUSI-
NESS; and for the levy and collection
These sections materially strengthen the
power of the legislature to impose specific
taxes as conferred by Sec. 10, Art. XIV Of
the present constitution. The adoption Of
these sections was the result of desire on
the part of the convention to render such
authority clear and definite, the language Of
the present constitution not being sufficiently
clear on this subject. Authority is also con-
ferred TO provide for the assessment of all
public service corporations including those
enumerated I'm this section, at their true cash
TnpFQhV sdi nroUigfnn
is made for the taxation of corporations by
both specific and ad yalorem methods.
Sec 6. Every law which imposes,
continues or revives a tax shall dis
tlnctly state the tax, and the objects
to which it is TO be applied; and it
shall not be suffl Cent to refer to any
other law to fix such tax or object
No change from See. IA, Art. XIV OF the
present constitution.
Sec. Z. All assessments hereafter au-
thorized shall be on property at its
cash value.
No change from Sec. IL. Art XIV of the
present constitution.
Sec. s. In the year NINETEEN
HUNDRED ELEVEN, every fifth year
thereafter and at such other times as
the legislature may direct, the legisla-
ture shall provide BY LAW for an
equalization Of assessments by a state
board, on all taxable property, except
that taxed under laws passed pursu-
ant TO sections four and five Of this
article.
present constitution except as to the year
named and the references to sections and to
insert the words by law"
Sec. 9. The power Of taxation shall
never be surrendered or suspended by
any grant or contract to which the
state or any municipal corporation
shall be a party.
This is a new section and forever prohibits
the surrender or suspension of the taxing
power of the state OF any municipality
therein.
Sec. 10. The state may contract debts
TO meet deficits in revenue, But such
debts shall not in the aggregate at any
time exceed TWO HUNDRED AND
FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS. The
state may also contract debts to repe
invasion, suppress instruction. defend
the state OR AID THE UNITED
STATES in time OF war. The money
SO raised shall be applied to the pur-
poses for which II is raised or TO the
payment of the debts contracted.
:, This section combines Secs. and A. Art
NV OF the present constitution, and changes
materially the phrasCology thereof. The
maximum amount of Indebtedness which the
state may contract at any one tMe is fixed
Ia the revision at two hundred fifty thou.
sand dollars, instead Of fifty thousand dol
lars under the present constitution This
change is considered necessary In order 10
Authority to contract debts to aid the United
States In time Of war is added in recognition
Of natural obligation.
Sec. IL. No scrip, certificate or other
evidence Of state indebtedness shall be
issued, except ." for sum d. bts
as are expressly authorized in this con-
st.utiou.
This section omits the words Except fo,
the redemption Of stock previously issu.d 4
appearing in Sec. 7, Art. XIV of tie pre- M
constitution. The exception quoted is o4so-
lcte.
Sec. u. The credit of the state shlll
not be granted TO, nor in aid of any
person, association or corporation.
PUBLIC OR PRIVATE.
No change from See 6, Art. XIV Of the
present constitution, eXcent the addition of
the words public or private
Sec. l3. II state shall not subscribe
to, nor be interested in the stock Of
any company, association or corpora
ton.
No change from Sec s. Art XIV, except
in phraseology.
Sec. II, The state shall not be party
to. nor be Interested in any work Of
internal Improvement, nor engage irr
carrying on any such work, except in
the Improvement Of or aiding in the
Improvement OF the public wagon
roads, IN THE REFORESTATION
AND PROTECTION OF LANDS
OWNED BY THE STATE and in the
expenditure OF grants to the state OF
land or other property.
This section corresponds with Sec. 9, Art.
XIV of the present constitution. The provso
therein authorizing the city of Grand Rapids
10 issue its bonds for the Improvement of
the Grand River is eliminated. as such pro-
vision is unnecessary.
The authority granted the state to engage
in reforestation removes a limitation in the
present constitution. II is the intention OF
the revision that state lands, not desirable
for agricultural purposes may be utilized
by the state f,s reforestation. The power
thus conferred, If wisely used, il is believed
will materially promote the future welfare
Of the commonwealth.
Sec 10. No state money shall be de-
posted in banks other than those or
ganzed under the national or state
banking laws. No state money shG i
be deposited i'm any bank in excess Of
fifty per cent of the capital ard surplus
OF such bank. Any bank receiving de-
posts of state money shall show the
amount of state money sU deposited as
separate item in all published state
ments.
This is new section designed to render
the moneys belonging 10 the state absolutely
secure The provision requiring any bank
having deposits of state money to show the
amount thereof, a separate item, in all
! published statements Of such bank secures
/ a wholesome publicity. Under this provision
! all interested officials and the people them
| selves will know in what amounts the