The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-03-23

tutional limitation at full pay, Rep.
resentatives receiving only S1.00 d
day for the extension. Never in the
history of a Missouri Legislature
have so many revenue measures beer
enacted. Governor Gardeners pro.
gram with few exceptions was car
ried out. For this much credit is due
Representative Frank H. Farris
Democratic floor leader of the House
John H. Morton, president of the
Senate and Noah Simpson, the Gov
ernOr's private secretary, for being
able to lead the administration forces
TO victory in the face of a stubborn
opposition. The Legislature, taking
it all in all, has been one of achieve
ment, and from a financial standpoint
the State Treasury will be rehabili-
= tated. The appropriations may ex-
coed the estimated revenue, but Gov
ernor Gardner is expected to prune
these down to come within the rev.
.enue of the State, task for which his
recognized business ability and ex-
perience is believed to be equal.
Big Measures Passed.
The bills which the Governor has
succeeded in getting through both
branches of the Legislature in the
face of opposition, particularly in the
Senate, are:
Creation of State Tax Commits
sion to equalize assessments and place
on tax books property which tax
dodgers have not returned to the As
SCISSOR; estimated revenue after three
or four years if law is honestly en-
forced, S6,000,000.
Creation Of State Prison Board, to
have charge of all penal institutions;
providing for complete abolition of
the contract labor system and pro-
viding for reformation of the man.
ner of conducting the State prisons
and corrective institutions.
Creation of State Highway Board
to provide for the acceptance by the
State of federal aid for road building,
and placing the road construction on
scientific basis, instead of political
spoil system basis.
Abolishing collateral inheritance
tax and providing for general inher-
ltance tax which is graduated with |
widows exemption of $4,000, and an
exemption of $4,000 for each child.
For Income Tax
Establishing a tax of one-half of
one per cent on all incomes, with ex-
emptions Of $4,000 for unmarried per-
sons and $4,000 for married persons.
Establishing a tax of rs cents on
the $1,000 of capital stock and sur
plus used in Missouri of all corpora
tons.
Establishing a tax on all soft
drinks, the tax to be one-half of one
cent per gallon on all Misunderstanding
liquor beverages, two and one-half
cents per gallon on syrups used in the
manufacture of soft drinks.
Establishing a secured debt tax of
is cents on the 500 valuation of
bonds owned in the State, and reliev-
ing them of all other taxes.
Establishing a State whiskey in
spection tax on a basis of approx
mately 20 cents per gallon.
Increasing the State saloon license
5000 a year.
Placing tax on the output of the
mines of the State.
Between l75 AMI 1870 bills of more
VI 1908 HHpOI tdHCS nave DeeIl pdSsSu, |
many of general nature and others
of local interest.
One of particular interest to St.
Francois county provides for an AS
sistant Prosecuting Attorney of this
county.
Another of general interest, espec-
tally to women, is a bill making wo-
men eligible to election to members of
School Boards.
Of interest to farmers is one au-
thorizing County Courts to aid in
farmers institutes.
Another abolishing capital punish
ment in the State will meet with ia
NOR, and if approved by the Govern
Or, which it doubtless will be, there {
will be no more legal executions in {
Missouri. Representative Whitaker. ,
the author of the bill, is a son of the ,
former Representative of Hickory, au- {
thor of the law under which it is op- [
.ional with the jury in capital trial
whether the death penalty shall be t
assessed or life imprisonment.
About ten measures were passed
recommended by the Children's Code !
Commission, including pension for t
needy mothers, establishing a Home c
" the State for neglected and home c
ess children, for the treatment and S
of delinquent minors over
8, the creation of division of child C
ygiene by the State Board of Health, y
the adoption of children c
md providing for guardians of
riendless children. s
Constitutional Amendments. I
Joint and concurrent resolutions y
we're passed by the Assembly sub n
hitting amendments to the Constitu-
ion to be voted upon at the election j
cid in November, 1918, as follows: II
Senate joint and concurrent resolu- s
on No. 5, authorizing by vote spe- L
al tax levy in road districts of rs b
snts on the 500 valuation for road Al
lrposes in the district where levy is a
ade. 81
House joint and concurrent resolu-
on, submitting Statewide prohibit "
IN. to be voted upon in November,
18. If carried, the amendment will 90
come effective November |, 1919. -