The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-04-30
NO AMENDMENTS
Voters VIII Not Take Action
on Changes in 1899.
Bonus Question Is Only State
Wide Question Next Year.

For the second time in the last
twenty-five years voters at the general
election in 1922 will vote on no pro-
posed constitutional amendments. The
only year in the last quarter of a CEN
fury none was submitted was 1915. 1t
now appears the $25, 10000 soldier
bonus referendum will be the only
statewide question submitted next
year.
In all about a dozen resolutions
were introduced in the 1921 legisla-
ture proposing submission of amend
mentS to the constitution, but at no
time did there appear to be con-
certed movement to decide on any GER
tan amendments. The last one to
die, and in fact the only one which
passed even one of the two branches.
was senate resolution No. 4, by S. F.
Paul. of Blue Rapids, which asked for
resubmission of the tax amendment,
feated by the voters last fall. Resub-
mission was advocated by Governor
Allen in his message.
No State Road Aid.
The 1921 legislature, like many
which have gone before, failed to take
full advantage of the amendments
which have been adopted. Both the
good roads and the farm tenantry
amendments adopted last November
were merely enabling acts. The roads
bill which finally passed provided for
county aid in road construction,
rather than state aid, and could have
been passed even tho there had been
no amendment, in the opinion of many
attorneys and legislators. Action was
deferred in extending state aid to farm
purchasers. Governor Allen, who had
urgently advocated the amendment.
stated that he did not feel that now
is an opportune time to begin the
mi les
named at his request to study the
question further and make recon-
mendations as to legislation to the
1928 legislature.
A vigorous campaign was carried
on by the state schools in 1918 to Sc
cure adoption of an amendment au-
thorizing the legislature to levy per-
manent tax for the support of the
state educational institutions. The
amendment carried by a vote OF 234,-
| s5s to s1.617, but the legislature OF
1919 made no move to levy the tax in
accordance with the authority granted.
| The 1920 Especially and 1921 legisla-
| lures likewise failed to enact legisla-
| ton under the amendment, the pur-
pose of which was to insure a uni
form income, the ratio of taxation to
remain fixed until changed by the leg
islature. The principal reason why
| there has been no legislation under
| this amendment, according to mem
\ Der of the state board of administra-
ton. is that the five state schools haye
| never been able to agree upon the por-
| ton each is to receive.
Constitution Is Patched Up.
| The Kansas constitution is patched
| up considerably, In all forty-two
| amendments have been submitted &c
the people. Twenty-seven have beer
| adopted and fifteen rejected. The
most far-reaching amendments were
those prohibiting the manufacture and
| sale of intoxicating liquors Gss0)
granting equal suffrage G912) and
providing for recall of public officers
| $50. An equal suffrage amend
ment was lost in 1894.
One of the amendments offered this
session was to increase the pay of leg
islators to 81 a day. The constitution
| drafted sixty years ago fixes the pay
| at So q day for the fifty days of the
session. Amendments to increase the
amount were submitted in 1901. 1907
and 1909 and defeatea each time by
a large majority. A Proposition to in
crease the session TO pinpty days was
| defeated three to one IN 1889.
The membership of the supreme
| court was increased to seven by an
| amendment in 1900. after similar
propositions had been defeated in 1886
and 1890.