davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-10-25

10 per cent of the amount with the
city clerk.
The resolution for the tax levy for
the year 1912 was then read and
adopted without discussion.
Councilman Bangerter moved that
the city clerk be authorized to send
$3.50 to the state game warden as
registration fee for the seven
fauns now in Sibley park. The mo.
ton passed unanimously.
A refund of $3.50 from his sprink-
ling assessment was granted to L.
Swanson because he had not re-
ceived full benefit of the sprinkling.
Bills against the city were then
audited and allowed.
City Attorney c. o. Daley pre-
ssnted a reply to his letter to the
general superintendent of the Chi
cago, Milwaukee and ST. Paul road
IN regard to the companys switch
ing on the Main street crossing.
The general superintendent prom
ised to give the matter his immedi-
ate attention.
Money which had been received
in full payment for the installation
)f water mains on Record street, in
lieu of yearly assessments was re-
|ceipted and this form of payment
approved.
Letter Anent Sidewalks.
1t was decided that letter should
be written to Samuel Fowler in re-
gard to putting sidewalks along his
property. Mr.. Fowler had promised
to have this done before but for
some raacOn If bod hooo poaIooto5
The city will take steps to have this
work done if it is not started this
week.
After this Councilman Humiston
was authorized to have the improve
ment of the Eagle Lake hill COM
pleted by constructing riprap.
On motion by Councilman Lamm
the meeting was adjourned.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-10-25

Stephen Walter had told Evan Price
that, he, Stephen Walter, had signed
the petition only after being urged
by the defendant. Mr.. Evans also
says in his answer that Evan Price
also said that Walter told him, Evan
Price, the defendant in this case,
William j. Evans, was such
fool that Walters could not get rid
of him without signing the petition
and that Walters wanted to with
draw his name from the petition.
Claims Statement Is Repeated.
The defendant said at that time
to Evan Price, that in order to show
how much dependence and reliance
could be put upon any statement
claimed to be made by Walters at
that time, the defendant would tell
what Walters had said about Evan
Price and his family, and the de-
PENDANT then did repeat in substance
the things mentioned in the COM
plant made by David Price.
But, the defendant claims, when
he repeated this language to the
plaintiff, he, the defendant, had no
intention of making any statement
rejecting in any manner upon Mr..
Price or his family. On the con-
trary. the defendant purposed only
to show Evan Price and others pres
ent, that any statement made by
Stephen Walters concerning the con-
versation Walters had with the de-
PENDANT was as unreliable as the
conversation Walters had with Evan
Price relative to signing the petition
by Stephen Walters.
Thomas Hughes is attorney by the
plaintiff, David Price, and Hughes &
Ellsworth are attorneys for William
]. Evans.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-10-25

investments in the internal improve
ment land fund, or that may here
after 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 provid-
ing, In its discretion. for any an
nual tax levy upon the property OF
this state Of not to exceed in any
year one mill on all the taxable
property within the state. Provided
that no county shall receive In any
year more than three go per cent
or less than one-half ca OF one
(D per cent of the total fund thus
provided and expended during such
year"
+ PURPOSE AND EFFECT. The apprO-
wal of this amendment will authorize
the Legislature to levy, I'm Its discre-
tiOn, q one mill tax upon all the prop
ferty of this state for the benefit OF the
roads and bridges therein, and will
repeal certain Limitations as 10 the
amount which may be paid by the state
for such roads and bridges.
The present constitution authOrizes
the Legislature to ndd to the road and
bridge fund by providing, I'm Its discre-
:tion for an annual tax levy upon the
property of this state not to exceed one
fourth (A) of one "a mill. while the
amendment permits the Legislature. in
its discretion, to provide for an annual
TAX levy Of one % mill on oil taxable
property within the state.
: The present constitution provides that
fn NO case shall more than One-haif
0N) of the cost of constructing or
Improving any road or bridge be paid
by the state from such fund. The
amendment proposes to remove the lin
htatiOn which now exists I'm the cOnsti-
hutton as to the amount which the state
may pay for such fund towards the
cost of constructing or repairing any
road or bridge and leaves the. whole
management Of such fund to be prOSid-
I'd for by law, az the Legislature shall
deem wise.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-10-25
AMENDMENT NO. vi.
State Senate.
section 2 of Article 4 of the Consti-

Section of Article 4 Of the Consti
tuition now reads as foliOwss
Section 2. The number of men,
bers who compose the senate and
prescribed by. law, but the repre-
sentation in the senate shall never
exceed one member for every five
thousand inhabitants. and In the
Der for every two thousand inhabi-
tants. The representation in both
houses shall be apportioned equally
throughout the different sections OF
the state, in proportion to the pop-
ulation thereof, exclusive of Indians
not taxable under the provisions of
1t 4. proposed to substitute therefor
Section D. Number of members.
The senate shall be composed of
sixty-three f63) members. and the
house of representatives shall be
composed of such number of men,
bers as may be prescribed by law.
The representation in both houses
as practicable, throughout the diff
ferent sections OF the state in
proportion. to the population there
Of exclusive of Indians not tax
able under the provisions of law.
Provided, however, that county
may be divided into several legis-
lative districts. but no county or
any of the parts thereof shall ever
constitute or. be a part of more
than seven 7l senatorial districts
and not more than seven senators
shall ever be apportioned to any
one county"
PURPOSE AND EFFECT. The pur.
pose and object Of this amendment ID
to limit the state senate to sixty-thres
1881 members and TO prevent any one
county having more than seven f7) sen.
aters.
Years respectfully,
LYNDON A. SMITH,
Attorney General
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-10-25
AMENDMENT NO. I.
Increased Road Fund.

Chapter 800 of the General Laws O.
Minnesota for 1911, proposes to the PEG.
pie of this state, for their approva
or rejection, an amendment to Section
~ of Article o, OF the Constitution
This Section now reads as follows.
Section Is. For the purpose Of
lending aid in the construction and
Improvement of public highways
and bridges. there is hereby Great
ed 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 improve
ment land fund. or that may here
after accrue to said fund. and shall
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 or improving roads
and bridges OF this state. by pro-
viding in it's discretion. for an
annual tax levy upon the property
of this state of not to exceed in
any year one-fourth (A) Of one
mill on all the taxable property
within the state.
"PrOvided, that no county shall
receive in any year more than
three CD per cent or less than one
half (h) of one Cd per cent of
the total fund thus provided and
expended during such year: and
provided. further, that in no case
shall more than one-half (15) Of the
cost of constructing or improving
any road or bridge be paid by the
state from such fund"
This Section, IL amended, will req,
% follows:
Section 16. For the purpose Of
lending aid in the construction and
Improvement of public highways
and bridges, there is hereby created
o fund. to be known as the state
road and bridge fund. said fund
shall include all moneys accruing
from the income derived from
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-10-25
PROPOSED LAW RE-
LATINO TO THE TAX
ALTON OF RAILROAD
PROPERTIES.
CHAPTER 9. LAWS OF tsI2.

CHAPTER .. LAWS OF 1919.
AN ACT providing for the taxation O
railroad properties. the collection
and times of payment of such ia
and repeating acts inconsisten
Herewith
Be 1t Enacted by the Legislature o
the State of Minnesota
Section l. Every railroad COM
pany owning or operating any line
of railroad situated within. or
Ing the year 1913, and annually
thereafter, pay into the treasury
of this state, in lieu of all taxes
and assessments. upon all property
within this state. owned or opera
ted for railway purposes. by such
company, including equipment, APP
purtenances, appendages and fran
cbises thereof, sum of money
equal to five per cent of the gross
earnings derived from the opera
ton of such line of railway with
in this state.
On or before August Is, 1913.
and annually thereafter. each such
railroad company shall make, ac-
cOrding to law, true and just re-
turn of all such gross earnings for
the six months ending June 3Oth.
next preceding. and the said tax of
five per centum thereon shall be-
come due and be payable to the
State of Minnesota In manner pro-
vided by law, ON September LIST,
next thereafter.
On or before February rs. 1914,
and annually thereafter, each such
railroad company shall make, ac-
cOrtling to law. true and Just re-
turn of all such gross earnings for
the six months ending December
81st next preceding, and said tax
of Ave per centum thereon shall
become due and payable to the
State of Minnesota In manner pro-
vided by law, ON March 1st next
thereafter; and the payment Of
such sums Mt the times hereinbe.
fore set forth shall be i'm full and
in lieu of all other taxes and as
sessments upon the property and
franchises so taxed; provided moth
Ing In this act shall be construed
as modifying any agreement enter.
ed into between any municipality
within the state and any railroad
company relating to the payment
Of local taxes or assessments.
The lands acquired by public
grant shall be and remain exempt
from taxation until sold or con-
tracted to be sold or conveyed as
provided in the respective acts
whereby such grants were made or
reco gi.zed.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-10-25
ISLANDER ALLEGED;;SU|T
STARTED FOR BIG sum
From Mondays Daily.


Claiming to have been slandered
by William J. Evans of Cambria,
David Price, also of Cambria, is SUI
ing Mr.. Evans for the recovery of
$4,000 damages.
In his complaint Mr.. Price al
leges that on June 25, 1912, while at
meeting of the board of supervis.
ors of the township of Cambria,
when the matter of a road which lay
partly through the land of the plain
tiff was being discussed, William ].
Evans stated in the presence of Ben
jamin B. Hughes, John F. Jones, Will
liam w. Harris, James A. Thomas,
William Lewis and others: when /
first took that petition to Stephen
Walters to sign, he, Stephen Wal
ters, said that he did not refuse to
sign this petition because he cared
anything for the Prices (meaning
David Price and his sons, Enoch
and Evan because the Prices were
nothing but - thieves, all
of them"
Answer BY Defendant.
The answer made by the defend
ant, William j. Evans, states that
Evan Price charged William F..
Evans with using undue influence
and unlawful practices in procuring
signitures for the road petition. Evan
Price is alleged to have said that
Evans had no friends of any stand
ing in the community and that
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-10-25
Read These Amendments Carefully

Sec 9. The term "the gross
earnings derived from the opera
ton of such line of railway within
In this state, as used In Section
shall be construed to mean. all
EARNINGS on business beginning
and ending within the state, and q
proportion, based upon the proper
tion of the mileage within the
state to the entire mileage over
earnings on all interstate busin ess
passing through. into or out of the
state.
Sec. 8. All acts and parts Of acts
not Inconsistent herewith, regulat-
ing the payment, collection, time
oI payment. enforcement or reports
involving the amount Of taxes up
on the gross earnings of railroad
companies within this state or pro-
vidlng penalties for the non-pay-
ment or such taxes. are hereby
as may be, and all acts and parts
OF acts Inconsistent with the pro-
visions of this act are hereby re-
pealed.
Sec. 4. Upon failure to pay the
amount of such taxes legally due,
upon the respective dates heretnbe.
may be enforced in addition to ex-
listing remedies in a civil action
brought in the name of the State
or Minnesota in the district court
or any county.
Sec. 5. Before any railroad COM
pany shall be heard to contest or
continue to contest the validity OF
this act or any part thereof, such
Taliroad company shall as condf-
ton precedent thereto. pay into
the treasury of the State of Min
nesota the amount of taxes due or
payable from such railroad COM
pany under the existing tax laws
Of this state.
Sec. 6. This act shall be sub
nitted to the people Of this state
Tor their approval or rejection at
the next general election for the
year 1912.
The secretary of state shall
cause to be printed in bold type
upon the ballot used in voting for
state officers or upon separate
ballot, If so provided by law at
the said election. in manager con-
formable with the requirements OF
the general election law, the
words, For increasing the gross
earnings tax Of railroad companies
from four to five per cent. and pro-
vidfng for the payment of the gross
earnings tax semi-annually.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-10-25
Extra Session
of 1912.
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY
GENERAL. ..
st. Paul, Mimi, July 3, 1914
Hon. Julius A. SchmahI,
Secretary of State,
Capitol.

AS required by Section % Of the
Revised Laws. and Amendment. I
have tie honor to furnish you
herewith a statement of the pur-
poses and effects of the respec-
tive amendments to the Constitu-
ton of the State Of Minnesota,
proposed by the Legislature Of
1911. which are to be submitted to
the electors of this State at the
general election in 1912.
/ have also furnished a state
ment of the purposes and effect of
the law proposed by the Leglsla-
ture at the extra session of 1912.
known as Chapter g. Laws of 1912,
relating to the taxation of railroad
companies, which. under the Con-
stitution Of the State. must be SUBJ
mitted to a vote of the people Of
the State, and be adopted and
ratified by a majority of the elect
orS of the State voting at the
election. before such Chapter 8
shall take effect or be In force
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-10-25
AMENDMENT NO. III.
Mortgage Loans to State.

This amendment, II adopted, will per
NIT the permanent school and univer
sity fund Of the state to be investe~ II
first mortgage loans upon Improves
and cultivated farm lands of the State
This amendment would change SectiOl
., Article g, of the Constitution. whic
n0w reads as fOilOwSs -.
'The permanent school and uni
versity fund Of this state may be
invested in the bonds of any coun-
~, school district, city, town or
village of this state. but no such
investment shall be made until
sfoners designated by law to regu-
late the investment Of the perman-
ent school fund and the perman-
snt university fund of this state:
nor shall such loan or investment
be made when the bonds to be is
sued or purchased would make the
entire bonded Indebtedness exceed
fifteen per cent of the assessed
valuation, Of the taxable real prop
erty of the county, school district,
city, town or village issuing such
bonds: nor shall such loans or in
debtedness be made at lower rate
of interest than three per cent per
annum. nor for a shorter period
than five years, nor for a longer
period than twenty years. and no
change of the town. school dis
trict. city, village or of county
lines shall relieve the real prop
erty in such town, school district.
county. village or city in this state
at the time of the issuing OF such
bonds from any liability for tag
alton to pay such bonds"
So as to read as follows,
Section 6. The permanent school
and university fund of this state
may be invested in the bonds of
any county, school district. city.
in first mortgage loans secured up
on improved and cultivated farm
lands of this state. But no such
improvement shall be made until
sioners designated by law to regu-
late the investment Of the per-
manent school fund and the per-
manent university fund Of this
ment be made when the bonds to be
issued or purchased would make
the entire bonded indebtedness ex-
coed IS per cent of the assessed
property Of the county. school dis
trict. city, town or village issuing
such bonds; nor shall any farm
loan or investment be made when
coed 80 per cent of the actual cash
value Of the farm land mortgaged
to secure said investment: nor shall
such loans or Indebtedness be made
at a lower rate of interest than
per cent per annum. nor for
shorter period than five years, nor
for longer period than twenty
years. and no change Of the town
school district. city. village or
county lines shall relieve the real
property in such town. school dis
trict. county. village or city In
this state at the time Of issuing OF
such bonds from any liability for
taxation to pay such bonds"
PURPOSE AND EFFECT. vhe pres
emit constitution authorizes the invest
ment of the permanent school and uni
versity funds of this state in the bond
Of any county, school district. city
town or village Of this state. Thi
amendment. II adopted, will permit, I,
addition to the foregoing investme n "a
said school and university funds to b.
Invested also in first mortgage loan
scared upon improved and cultivate,
farm lands of this state.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-10-25
AMENDMENT NO. v.
County Superintendent of
---.- Schools.

BY this Amendment II IL sought t.
enlarge the provisions of Section :, o.
Article z. of the Constitution, which
section now reads as follows:
Section T. Every person who by
the provisions of this article shall
be entitled to vote at any election
shall be eligible to any Office which
row is, or hereafter shall be, cleo
tive by the people in the district district
thirty days previous to such cleo
ton, except as otherwise provided
in this constitution, or the consti-
tuition and laws of the United
SO that 1t will read as folIowss
Section Z. Every person who by
the provisions of this article shall
be entitled to vote at any election
now is, or hereafter shall be. cleo
tive by the people in the district
wherein he shall have resided thirty
days previous to such election, ex-
schools who shall be required to
have educational and professional
qualifications to be determined by
the Legislature, and except as other
wise provided in the constitution.
or the constitution and laws of. the
United States"
PURPOSE AND EFFECT. The pur.
pose and effect of this amendment II to
authorize the legislature to require edu.
in addition to all the other qualinca.
lions now required by law, for any
person seeking the Office Of County
superintendent Of schools. As the Con.
stitution now stands, any legal voter II
eligible to the Office of County Super
lntendent OF schools.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-10-25

"The legislature may provide for
the payment by the State OF Mime
sofa of damages to growing crops
by hail and wind: or either, ana
to provide fund for that purpose:
including the necessary expenses OF
pose a specific tax upon lands the
owners 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 tund SO
provided" ....r g.
PURPOSE AND EFFECT. This amend-
ment, IL adopted, will authorize the
state to act In the collection and dis
bursements of fund for the payment
of damages to growing crops by hail
or wind, or either. This fund IL to be
created and maintained by q specific
tax imposed by the legislature upon the
lands of such persons only nv shall
voluntarily list the snme with their
respective county auditors for that pur-
pose. Under II. there could be NO tag
for such purpose imposed ON the lands
Of any owner who does NOT consent
thereto. The legislature II also author
ICED to include in the fund to be raised
by taxation of such listed lands the
necessary expenses of administration of
the law. The adoption of the amend
ment will authorize the Legislature 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 same by
the officers Of the state; but any pay
nents to be made by the state by reason
OF damage by hail or wind will have to
ne made from such fund, and from no
other. In the settlement OF any such
damages the state would assume no
liability beyond the amount of such
fund and could not further be rendered
liable.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-10-25
AMENDMENT NO. II.
Insurance Of Crops.

BY this amendment 1t In proposed to
add an entirely new section to Article
D of the Constitution. 10 be known as
Section IL, and which shall read ~
follows.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-10-25

And each. voter voting at such
election shall designate his vote by
cross mark made opposite one or
the other of the words Yes" or .
mo" and the said election shall In
all respects, conform, as far as
may be, to the requirements OF the
general election law, and the re-
turns of said election shall be
made, canvassed and certified. and
the results thereof declared in the
manner provided by law for return
ing, certifying and canvassing
votes cast for state officers.
Approved Jupa Is, 1912.
PURPOSE An EFFECT. The law
now In force relating to the taxation of
railroad properties II Chapter 253. Laws
of 1903. ratified by the people, at the
general, election of 1904. The only Ian
guage of the proposed law of 1912
which differs from the old law of 1908
is set forth above In bOld-faced type.
Under the present law, the taxes upon
railroad property are computed at the
rate OF four per cent upOn the gross
earnings of the company owning or OPP
Grating the same. The purpose of
this new law In to change that rate
from four per cent to ave per cent and
to make the taxes payable semi-an-
nually on March LIST and September 1st
of each year, instead of annually, as
under the existing law. -. tf:....
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-10-25

G. oehler of Wells is in town to-
day.