The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1908-04-08

OF THIS STATE Dy prOVlulng IN It's QlS-
erection for an annual tax levy upon
the property of the State not to ex-
coed in any year 1-20 ofone mill on
all the property within the State.
The legislature is also authorized to
provide for the appointment by the
governor of the State of board to
be known as the Estate Highway
Commission" consisting of 8 mem
bers, who shall perform such duties
as shall be prescribed by law with
out salary or compensation other
than personal expenses.
The amendment proposed does not
amend, as it does not change the
words in any respect. but cuts off all
the latter part of the section quoted
beginning at the dash mark above.
thus giving the legislature absolute
power I'm its discretion to tax the
property of the State for roads and
bridges. Past legislation shows that
any legislature supported by such an
official as our present attorney gen.
eral, has no discretion. I greatly
dislike writing these criticisms. for
every one who has known me since
[ became an American citizen (now
over 35 years ago. knows that | have
always labored to promote good
roads and have always done my
share towards making them, but
there is so large woodchuck in this
so-called amendment that / will
have to dig him out. 1t is an
economic fact, that the bulk of the
wealth of the State so far, is the re-
suit of agricultural development.
In handling these agricultural pro-
ducts, several large cities and many
villages have risen, railroads running
in every direction have been con-
structed, and township roads have
also been made at the expense
of the farming community.
These township roads are not all
that can be desired, but much has
been done and provision has been
made for further improvements as
fast as the farmers can stand the
taxation. | know of one township
that last year only, expended at
least $4,000 in road and bridge inn
provements and | know of others
that are making equally praise
worthy efforts. Roads necessary for
the farmers to get their produce to
local markets are made everywhere
that the state is settled up, and rail
roads run from local points to ter
minals, and can handle all produce
brought to them. Then why all this
fuss about !good roads conventions,
paying all taxes in money. having a
county road inspector, town road
inspection, making state road, etc?
Those ideas do not originate with the
great producers and carriers of the
state; then they must come from the
cities. There is no disputing the
fact that many men in the cities have
become rich handling the farm pro-
ducts. These men with their wives
have taEen trips to Europe, they
have seen and perhaps have ridden
in automobiles over some of those
old Roman roads that were made by
the slave labor of conquered people
for the transportation Of Roman
armies and supplies to keep in SUBJ
lection those conquered and robbed
peoples. These rich people queried,
why can't we have such roads in
Minnesota? They consulted their
city lawyers and found a document
called a Constitution preventing
compulsory taxation of the produ-
GERS to build automobile roads. But
they said, see here, these peasants
are ignorant Of constitutional law
and its effects, let us get the ignora
muses. to vote US an amendment, SC
that wepcan tax them, ad libitum, BY
getting the legislature to pass laws
to that effect; we can manage the
legislature alright. There is your
woodchuck. Good roads for auto
mobiles that will cost the producers
millions Of dollars and not one ii
!, 10000 Of the producing taxpayers
would ever ride over them. Thi
wOOdchllck is autOcratic power. tt