Sharp County record., 1914-07-31
PRoPCGED MEASURE HAS RE.
CEIVED The APPROVAL OF
THE PEOPLE AT POLLS.
AID TO ARKANSAS PROGRESS
Amendment No. "A Is New Measure,
and Alleged Defects OF 1912
Measure are Eliminated.
CBy Executive Committee Greater Ar
Kansas Association.)

AihNubl'lNhl, lS IL pl lbSl CoolNtt NO'A7I' w
tive measure that. it adopted, as now
seems almost a certainty, will give
greater Impetus to Arkansas progress
than it has ever known,
1t was initiated by the people and
Will te enc of the three proposed
amendments suit mitted to the people
at the election in September For six
weeks It's text has been printed in the
newspapers Of Arkansas, and by this
tine everyone of the states 10000
voters should be thoroughly familiar
with lis terms and provisions,
It is not a new proposition, for twice
before have the people expressed
themselves upon it, and two years ago
similar measure was carried by a
majority Of 23.O0O of the votes cast
upon the subject, but it was declared
imperative because the Supreme Court
held only three amendments could be
submitted at one time, and this was
tho fifth. In the present instance,
Amendment No, "A was the first sub
mitted in point CT time.
Amendment No, IA has been most
carefully drawn after taking counsel
with some Of the states strongest le-
gal minds, and alleged defects OF pre-
viGus measures have been eliminated,
making it a stronger and more de-
slralle law. The restrictions have been
more severe and stronger safeguards
have been thrown about it, so that it
mast appeal to the people for its fair
ness and justice.
The proposed amendment does not
vote bonds upon any community-it
merely removes the constitutional in
hibition against the issuance of inter
est-boaring evidences Of Indebtedness,
1t will permit the people in cities and
incorporated towns exceeding 1000
population to vote on the question Of
the isguance Of bonds for certain speci.
fled public improvements of a general
character
These special elections are hedged
about by safeguards that provide the
fullest possible publicity for the pro-
jected bond issue and the purposes for
which It is TO be used. No boards OF
aldermen or any individual or body of
mon can vote bond issue upon a
community, for in this the people are
supreme, The City councils are re-
CURED to call the special elections, to
ho held not earlier than so days after
tko passage of the ordinance. and even
after the declaration of the election
returns any citizen shall have the right
of protest in the courts for 60 days
before the issue becomes effective.
The people OF cities and towns have
o right to demand public oonvenienoes
and utilities, but an unjust restriction
IS placed upon them when the organic
law OF the state denies them the power
to provide these things under approved
business methods The present eys.
tenn OF ehortierm accommodation at
high rates Of interest, and OF Improve
mcnt districts, is not good business
II ia provided that bonds issued by
cities OF the first class shall not bear
greater than 3 per cent interest. and
when issued by cities OF the second
class aud Incorporated towns the rate
shall not exceed per cent II ,s a
wen known fact that under the pre-
vailing system, ctlon must pay per
cent and frequently 10 for short term
lcore, or olGe adopt tho non progree.
s'Yo policy Of making none OF tho I'm.
rrovcments the rcople demand Thus
II appears that a Ia not only good
lu5luca7, but actual economy 10 pro.
vide tor loln0 az a lew rate OF interest,
T. Is further provided that the princ.
pal and all interest on the bonds shall
te paid within So years from the time
Of issuance, and u special tax not 10
exceed seven mills be levied on all
taxable property to provide a fund
for the retirement OF the aerial bonds
az rapidly ~ the funds accumulate.
~ this means, the hon ded indebted
ness OF a municipality will gradually
be cut down. instead of becoming
greater year after your.
no Ieetion Of the pro posed amend.
rart IA more eoretulgy drawn than
that section which lpui the purposca
for which bonds may te laeuod, when
authorized by the pee pie nj an elce
ton hold TOR that pur ooae, 40 follows,
towiU For the fW aiding or refund.
ms OF any existing indebtedness In.
cured prior TO the adoption OF thia
amendments Tor lht requirement con
flruellon or maintenance OF public
hlghW0ya, eUeelfh alleys, or hcNle
YARDS Tor the p felhlae Of equipment
or parks, or play greumds, for the con
tduttion OF ciI3 or town halls, AUDI
'1.iuns, Dglmts, libraries. hospitals
ire slallona ~ equipment, ylpducts oi
brldgos, ana for any and all public
buildings, elruelur es or grounds that
may he required by said munieipalit,
i1r tho proper and economical admin
ia'railon OF lls k,gorument. ana tol
pny other pnbllb improvements OF