University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1908-09-28
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.

The November election in Missouri
will gain much of its interest and i'm
portance from the eight amendments to
the State constitution that will then
be voted on. These amendments deal
with the initiative and referendum
taxation. limit of Indebtedness of GER
tain cities. compensation OF members OF
the general assembly. the judicial de
partment. and revenue.
The initiative and referendum amend
mcnt would give to the people the
power to propose laws and amendments
to the Constitution and to enact or
reject the same at the polls. independ-
ent OF the Legislative Assembly, and
also the power to reject or approve at
the polls any act of the Legislative
Assembly. The first power, the initia-
tive. could be exercised by the people
after eight per cent of the legal voters
i'm each of at least twothirds of the
congressional districts in the State had
proposed any measure by means of a
petition. The people could exercise the
latter. the referendum. at the polls
after five per cent of the legal voters
OF at least twO-thirds of the Congress
sional districts in the State had peti-
toned for the measure to be voted on.
The petition for the exercise of the
initiative must be made not less than
four months before election; the petit
tion for the referendum, at least within
ninety days after final adjournment of
the session of the Legislature passing
the bill The petitions for both would
be put in the hands of the secretary OF
State. The governor would have no
fcrred to the people. The number of
votes cast for Justice of the Supreme
Court at the last regular election would
determine the number of voters needed
to sign petition.
BY an amendment to article Y of the
Constitution and one to section la of
the same article, the limit of indebt
edness of certain cities would be
changed. The former would affect cities
with a population of 100000 or over.
1t would grant them the privilege of
an additional indebtedness of five per
centum on their taxable property for
the purpose of constructing or acquir-
ing in some way within their cor
porate limits subway or subways and
pipes, wires and cables for public SER
vice. A two-thirds majority would be
necessary to authorize the Indebtedness
and each city would be required to
provide for the collection of an annual
tax to pay the interest on the debt and
to constitute sinking fund for the
payment of the principal within thirty
years, unless the operation or lease of
the property should make it unneces-
sary.
The latter amendment would affect
cities with populations of from two to
thirty thousand. Its principal result
would be. in addition to the allowing of
a larger indebtedness. to make that in
lebtedness no part of the eity's debt
which may be incurred under the pro-
visions of section II. article Y.
One amendment would change the |
compensation of the members of the |
general assembly. If adopted they |
would be paid each $3.50 per annum, |
which sum would include all expenses |
except in cases where committeeman |
might have to make investigations away !
from the seat OF government. The pres
ent compensation of members of the |
general assembly is So day during |
the legislative sessions.
Three of the amendments deal with |
revenue and taxation.
One would create tax of ten cents
on the 500 assessed valuation for
permanent fund for public roads and
highways. Another would give to the
township board of directors and to the
county court in counties without town
ship organizations the discretionary
power to levy a special tax not to ex-
ceed twenty-five cents on the 800 val
uation to be used for roads and bridges.
The third of the taxation amendments /:
would give the general assembly the
power to separate the sources of State
and local revenue county. school and
and establish local option for
the counties and municipalities of the
State. 1t would do away with the
general property tax. making it neces-
sary for the general assembly to ex-
prcise its power of taxation upon some
other subjects of taxation or for the