The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1908-10-26

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
vote of the people. But with this amend.
ment various new forms of taxation could
be imposed, notably an income tax ton.
mage tax on iron ore and rec'~try tax on
mortgages. Under the present corstitu.
ton we can impose no tax on MORTGAGES
owned by non residents. registry tax,
which would be valid under this amend.
ment, would reach all mortgages alike,
While the Constitution requires all sub.
Iects Of taxation to have a cash vaIua.
zion with the tax equaiized throughout
the state, no proper income tax could be
imposed.
SECOND PROPOSED AMENDMENT.
The second proposed amendment 10
contained in Chapter 47s OF the Laws OF
Minnesota for the year 1907 BY this
amendment it is sought to repeal Section
sixteen (16) of Article nine (9) Of the
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
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
snail also include all funds accruing to
any state road and bridge fund, however
provided.
1.-THE legislature is authorized to add to
such fund for the purpose of constructing
lmpr0Vlnp roads and hriloeS Of
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 Q-20) Of one CD 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 co 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-
ce1ve in any year more than three 90
per cent or less than one-haf (1a) of one
O per cent of the total fund thus pro-
viGed and expended during such year;
and, provided further, that no more
than one third G-3) 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 construc-
ton or improving any road or bridge be
paid by the state from sucl 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 'St3:e 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 accrulng 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-
whereby the legislature is prevented
from Ievying for such purpose a tax ex-
ceedinq etWenteth G-20) of one (D
mill on the taxable property within tho
state.
This amendment further authorizes the
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 the
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 legis-
iature to create highway commission
and define its powers, nor will 1t inter.
fere with the appointment and tenure Of
office of the present commission.
THIRD PROPOSED AMENDMENT.
tained In Chapter 37e of the Laws Of
Minnesota for the year 1907 BY this
amendment it Is sought to add the follow
ing section to Article nine (9) of the Con-
stitutlon 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 fund for that purpose, may i'm
pose 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
Of any such damages except 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 a 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
lax for such purpose imposed on the lands
IF any owner who does not consent there
70. Its adoption will authorize the legs.
ature to direct that the taxing machinery
IF the state be used to levy and collect
the tax necessary to raise such fund, and
% provide for the disbursement of the
same by the officers Of the state, but any
payments to be made by the state by rea-
;on OF damage by hail or wind will have
% be made from said fund and from no
'ther. The state would assume no re-
possibility beyond the amount of such
und, and could not further be rendered
liable.
FOURTH PROPOSED AMENDMENT.
The fourth proposed amendment rs con.
aimed in Chapter 480 of the laws of Min.
'esota for the year 1907. BY this amend.