The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1908-10-27

ed, ana any form OF gross earnings tax
would be valid. The gross earnings tax
on railroads would not be affected by this
amendment, as the Constitution provides
that they cannot be changed without sub.
hitting the law making the change to q
vote Of the people. But witt, this amend
mont various new forms Of taxation could
be Imposed, notably an income tax, a ton.
mage tax on iron ore and reg try tax on
mortgages. Under the pre- sent corstitu.
tion we can impose no tax on MORTGAGES
owned by non-residents. A registry tax,
which would be valid under this amend.
ment, would reach all mortgages alike,
While the Constitution requires all sub.
lects of taxation to have cash vaIua.
tlon with the tax eauailzed throughout
the state, no proper Income tax could b
imposed. --. p
SECOND PRoRoozD AMENDMENT.
The second proposed amendment 10
contained in Chapter AIS OF the Laws Of
Minnesota for the year 1907. BY this
amendment it is sought to repeal Section
sixteen (16) of Article nine (e) Of tho
Constitution, which section now reads al
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
hclude 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.
''The legislature is authorized to add to
such fund for the purpose of constructing
or improving roads and bridges of this
state, by providing, in it's discretion, for
an annual tax levy upon the property Of
this state of not to exceed in any year
one-twentieth G-20) of one G 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 60 members,
who shall perform such duties as shall be
prescribed by law without salary or COM
pensation other than personal expenses.
"Such commission 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 basis.
Provided further, that no county shall re-
ceive in any year more than three (3)
per cent or less than one-half (1a) Of one
O per cent of the total fund thus pro-
vided and expended during such year;
and, provided further, that no more
than one-third G3) of such fund accru-
ing in any year shall be expended for
bridges, and in no case shall more than
one-third (1-3) of the cost of c0nstruc-
ton or improving any road or bridge be
paid by the state from such fund.-
and to substitute therefor the following:
section Is. For the purpose of lend
Ing aid in the construction and improve
0a1of Of 10 ~ orI,x hrS1 crnc
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 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 it's 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 al the property Of the state
any amount necessary, In its Judgment,
for the benefit of the roads and bridges
therein, and In so far removes the Iimita-
ton which now exists In the Constitution,
whereby the legislature is prevented
from Ievying for such purpose tax ex-
ceeding one-tWenteth G-20) of one (D
mill on the taxable property within the
state.
This amendment further authorizes the
legislature to provide salary and compen.
sation, including personal expenses In
Cured In the performance Of duty by tho
highway commission, or any other like
officer entrusted by law with similar du-
ties.
Finally, this amendment removes tn,
limitation which new exists In the Con-
stitution upon the powers Of the highway
commission in the distribution OF the road
and bridge fund Of the state whereby 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.
The adoption of this amendment will
not interfere with the power of the Iegis.
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-
taIned In Chapter 379 Of the Laws Of
Minnesota for the year 1907. BY this
amendment 1t Is sought to add the follow
ing section to Article nine 10y Of the Con-
stitution 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-
vide a fund for that purpose, may i'm
pose a specific tax upon lands, the own
ers of which, at their option, have listed
the same with county auditors for that
purpose, and no payment shall be made
or 9nV SUch damages pXccDt from the
fund so provided"
The purpose and effect OF this amend
ment Is to authorize the legislature to
permit the state to become the trustee In
the collection and disbursement of fund
for the payment of damages to growing
crops by hail or wind, or both. This fund
is to be created and maintained by spe-
cific tax upon the lands of such persons
ONLY as shall VOLUNTARILY list the
same with their respective county audit
ors for such purpose. There can be no
tax for such purpose imposed on the lands
to. It's adoption will authorize the Iegls-
lature to direct that the taxing machinery
of the state be used to levy and collect
the tax necessary to raise such fund, and
to provide for the disbursement of tho
same by the officers Of the state, but any
pawn ents to be made by the state by rea.
son OF damage by hall or wind will have
to be made from said fund and from no
other. The state would assume no re-
sponsbillty beyond the amount of such
fund, and could not further be rendered
liable.
FOURTH PROPOSED AMENDMENT.
The fourth proposed amendment is con.
tained in Chapter 4e0 of the laws Of Min.
nesota for the year 1907. BY this amend
ment it is sought to repeal the provisions
of Section seven ~ of Article seven ~