provements in organization occurred | plan provides for the grouping of the they were usually accidental. Re- numerous independent departments, cently, however, a feeling has devel- bureaus, boards and commissions into oped that if any systematic improve- six great departments-finance, pubment is to be made it must be based lic domain, public welfare, education, upon careful investigation of existing labor and commerce, and agriculture. conditions, and upon patient analysis Each of the six departments, except of the causes of present evils. As a that of finance, is to be under a diresult of such investigation and rector, appointed by the governor. analysis, recommendations may be The Minnesota commission also promade for such a reorganization of poses that all employees shall be unthe various state departments, bu- der civil service and that the budget reaus, boards, and commissions as system of appropriations be followed. may be conducive to a more efficient The New Jersey commission has and economical management of the made two reports, the second of which state's business. embodies the recommendations of the commission upon the reorganization and consolidation of different departments of the state government whose functions are interrelated. It considers, among other matters, the reorganization of the state Board of Health, and the grouping of the administrative services of the state into various departments. The Massachusetts commission has also made a report upon the "reorganization of boards and commissions having supervision and control of state institutions." The report contains recommendations advising the abolition of For the purpose of carrying out the objects indicated bodies have recently been created in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota and Mississippi. In addition, a joint committee of the Nebraska legislature has recently recommended that an economy and efficiency survey be undertaken in that state. Such bodies are usually, but not invariably, known as efficiency and economy commissions. Some of them are intended to be continuous and permanent; others were created for mere temporary purposes. Some are undertak- the supervisory system of conducting ing merely to bring about improvements in existing methods; others are looking toward an almost complete reorganization of existing administrative agencies. state institutions and the substitution therefor of a centralized system of control. Incidentally, this report had the effect of eliciting a very vigorous reply from the Massachusetts Some of the results of the labors State Board of Charity (Mass. Senof these commissions are already ap- ate Doc. 440), attacking the position parent through published reports. and findings of the commission. The The Illinois commission has published state Department of Economy and a brief summary of its findings and Efficiency of New York has recently recommendations, and intends eventu- been engaged in an important invesally to publish the results of its in-tigation of the state hospitals for the vestigations in full. It finds much insane. The investigation included inefficiency and waste to be due to the examination of the methods of the present lack of effective executive accounting and administration, and and administrative organization, and a physical examination of machinery recommends "that the hundred execu- and buildings in each of the 14 state tive departments into which the state hospitals for the insane. An examadministration is now divided be re- ination of food supplies was conductorganized into not more than 12 de- ed in conjunction with the State Hospartments, under department heads pital Commission and the Attorneyappointed by the governor, and re- General. In addition to these matsponsible to him for the proper con- ters, a broader subject has been invesduct of their respective departments." tigated, namely that of fiscal control The Minnesota commission has also of the state's institutions. This will made a preliminary report, outlining probably lead to recommendations for a plan for reorganizing the executive a complete change in the financial adbranch of the state government. The 'ministration of the state's affairs. AMENDMENTS TO STATE CONSTITUTIONS On the following pages are given fore or passed by the state legislabrief digests of the constitutional tures for submission in a subsequent amendments submitted to the people year. Many of the important amendof the various states during 1914, with the official returns of the votes thereon, and amendments pending beArizona.-Submitted Nov. 3: Amending Art. IV, Sec. 6, providing that the veto power of the government or the power of the legislature to repeal or amend shall not extend to initiative or referendum measures approved by a majority vote of the qualified electors. Initiated. Adopted, 16,567 for, 16,484 against. Amending Art. VII. by adding sections 17, 18, 19 and 20, providing that no prohibition election shall be held for a period of eight years from and after a previous election on the question. Initiated. Defeated, 16,059 for, 26,437 against. Amending Art. IX, Sec. 5, providing for the issue of bonds to the amount of five million dollars for construction of state highways. Initiated. Defeated, 13,215 for, 23,499 against. Amending Art. IX, Sec. 5, providing for a state reclamation service and authorizing the state to contract indebtedness for the reclamation of arid lands. Initiated. Defeated, 14,701 for, 17,994 against. Amending the constitution by adding Art. XXIII, prohibiting the importation, manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors. Adopted, 25,887 for, 22,743 against. ments are discussed in detail in other departments of the YEAR BOOK; full references will be found in the Index. limiting the right of voting on a question of incurring bonded indebtedness by the state or political subdivision thereof to owners of property taxable for payment of such indebtedness and assessed in the last assessment roll. Initiated. Defeated, 312,193 for, 337,951 against. Amending Art. IV, by adding Sec. 12, prohibiting another election on the question of prohibition for a period of eight years, and declaring that a majority vote in each municipality or district on the prohibition amendment to Art. I, Secs. 26 and 27, makes it license_or non-license territory. Initiated. Defeated, 355,394 for, 435.701 against. Amending Art. IV, Sec. 23a, increasing the allowance for the total expense of the General Assembly at regular sessions of the legislature from $500 to $600 per day. Defeated, 87,315 for, 494,272 against. Amending Art. IV, Sec. 31, authorizing irrigation districts to acquire stock in foreign corporations for the purpose of controlling international water systems. Adopted, 349,684 for, 185,168 against. Amending Art. V, Sec. 20, providing for the election of United States Senators in the manner prescribed by law. Adopted, 404,283 for, 190,969 against. Amending Art. VI, by adding Sec. Arkansas. Submitted at a state 4a, providing for the holding of extra sessions of the district courts of apelection on Sept. 14: peal. Defeated, 203,674 for, 322,891 against. Amending Art. V, Sec. 15, fixing the compensation of members of the General Assembly at $750 per year and mileage of five cents per mile. Defeated, 43,919 for, 49,101 against. Amending Art. VI, Secs. 1 to 7, creating the office of Lieutenant-Governor and defining his qualifications, duties and compensation. Defeated, 46,572 for, 45,206 against. Amending Art. XVI, Sec. 1, authorizing municipalities to issue bonds for certain purposes with the consent of the majority of the qualified electors. itiated. Adopted, 54,782 for, 40,441 against. California. Submitted Nov. 3: In Amending Art. I, Secs. 26 and 27, prohibiting the manufacture, transportation and sale of intoxicating liquors. Initiated. Defeated, 355,536 for, 524,781 against. Amending Art. I, by adding Sec. 26a, fixing the time of going into effect of the provision of the preceding amendment to Art. I, Secs. 26 and 27, if adopted. Initiated. Adopted, 448,648 for, 226,688 against. Amending Art. II, by adding Sec. 7, Amending Art. VI, Sec. 4%, relating to the setting aside of judgments for error. Adopted, 378,237 for, 182,073 against. Amending Art. XI, Sec. 6, authorizing the legislature to provide that county officers shall perform certain functions of included municipalities. Adopted, 284,757 for, 214,312 against. Amending Art. XI, Sec. 7%, authorizing county charters to provide for the discharge by county officers of certain functions in included municipalities. Adopted, 261,219 for, 225,530 against. Amending Art. XI, Sec. 8, prescribing the manner of the adoption of charters by cities of more than 3,500 population and providing for municipal home rule. Adopted, 285,338 for, 226,679 against. Amending Art. XI, Sec. 8%, authorizing chartered cities to establish municipal courts and to control the appointment, the qualifications and tenure of municipal offices and prescribing the manner in which cities exceeding 50,000 population may annex contiguous territory. Initiated. Adopted, 293,019 for, 287,185 against. Amending Art. XI, Sec. 81⁄2, authorizing chartered cities to establish munici pal courts and control the appointment. qualifications and tenure of municipal officers and prescribing the manner in which cities exceeding 175,000 population may annex contiguous territory. Initiated. Defeated, 248,112 for, 318,224 against. Amending Art. XI, Sec. 13, providing for the regulation of irrigation, reclamation or drainage districts. Adopted, 335,047 for, 216,865 against. Amending Art. XI, Sec. 131⁄2, relating to the place and manner of payment of bonds issued by counties and municipalities and other public corporations and interest thereon. Adopted, 306,195 for, 206,479 against. Amending Art. XI, Sec. 161⁄2, prescribing the security to be furnished by banks in which public moneys are deposited. Initiated. Defeated, 236,573 for, 324,558 against. Amending Art. XI, Sec. 18, authorizing Alameda County to issue bonds to the amount of one million dollars for the subvention of the Panama-Pacific Exposition. Adopted, 390,835 for, 202, 128 against. Amending Art. XI, Sec. 19, authorizing municipal corporations to acquire and operate public utilities. Defeated, 231,724 for, 278,129 against. Amending Art. XI, by adding Sec. 20, authorizing the state, counties or municipalities to condemn property in excess of actual requirements for public purposes. Defeated, 259,192 for, 307,155 against. Amending Art. XII, Sec. 23, giving the Railroad Commission exclusive power to fix public-utility rates in all incorporated municipalities. Adopted, 291,665 for, 260,589 against. Amending Art. XII, by adding Sec. 23a, authorizing the Railroad Commission to exercise such powers as may be conferred upon it by law to fix the compensation for the property of public utilities condemned by the state or its political subdivisions. Adopted, 291,836 for, 244,379 against. Amending Art. XIII, Sec. 1, declaring taxable all lands and improvements thereon owned beyond their limits by county or municipal corporations. Adopted, 344,433 for, 216,612 against. Amending Art. XIII, by adding Sec. 1a, exempting educational institutions of collegiate grade from taxation. Adopted, 331,599 for, 293,721 against. Amending Art. XIII, by adding Sec. 4, exempting from taxation vessels engaged in commerce registered at any port of the state. Adopted, 359,176 for, 301,969 against. Amending Art. XIII, by adding Sec. 82, authorizing counties and municipalities to exempt from local taxation improvements on land and certain other classes of property. Defeated, 267,618 for, 375,634 against. Amending Art. XIII, Sec. 12, prohibiting the levy of a poll or head tax for any purpose. Initiated. Adopted, 405,375 for, 374,487 against. Amending Art. XVIII, Sec. 2, prescribing the manner of electing delegates to constitutional conventions. Defeated, 271,896 for, 274,325 against. Amending Art. XX, Sec. 13, authorizing counties and municipalities to establish primary nominations and a preferential system of voting. Defeated, 240,600 for, 294,265 against. Amending Art. XX, by adding Sec. 172, authorizing the legislature to provide for the establishment of a minimum wage for women and minors. Adopted, 379,311 for, 295,109 against. A proposal of the legislature of 1913 that a convention be called to revise the constitution was defeated by a vote of 180,111 to 442,687. Colorado. Submitted Nov. 3: Amending Art. II, Sec. 23, empowering three-quarters of the jury to find a verdict in civil cases, and permitting women, when willing, to serve on juries. Initiated. Defeated, 67,130 for, 77,488 against. Amending Art. V, Sec. I, prohibiting the resubmission of a rejected initiated measure or amendment to the constitution within six years of its rejection. Initiated. Defeated, 55,667 for, 112,537 against. Amending Art. V, by adding Sec. 1a, requiring the governor to call a special election on initiated or referred measures on the petition of 25 per cent._of the qualified electors. Initiated. Defeated, 40,643 for, 80,977 against. Amending Art. X, Sec. 15, defining the personnel and duties of the state and county boards of equalization. Adopted, 55,987 for, 55,275 against. Amending Art. XI, Sec. 8, defining the power of municipalities to incur indebtedness. Defeated, 38,589 for, 65.206 against. Amending Art. XV, by adding Sec. 16, making newspapers public utilities. Initiated. Defeated, 35,752 for, 91,426 against. Amending Art. XIX, Sec. 2, relating to the publication of constitutional amendments and initiated and referred measures. Defeated, 48,301 for, 56,259 against. Amending the constitution by adding Art. XXII, prohibiting the importation. manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors. Initiated. Adopted, 129,589 for, 118,017 against. Connecticut.-Passed by the legislature of 1913, to be submitted to the legislature of 1915: Amending Art. XXVII, Sec. 3 of the amendments, authorizing the General Assembly to provide by law for the transportation of members by public conveyance between their homes and the capital during legislative sessions. Florida. Submitted Nov. 3: Amending Art. IV, Sec. 16, relating to the appointment by the Governor of commissioned officers of the state militia. Adopted, 10,356 for, 4,798 against. Amending Art. V, Sec. 1, empowering the legislature to prescribe the compen sation of judges. Adopted, 8,998 for, 4,500 against. Amending Art. VIII, Sec. 6, relating to the election, term of office and duties of county officers. Adopted, 14,164 for, 6,668 against. Georgia.-Submitted Nov. 3: Amending Art. III, Sec. 3, providing for representation in the House of Rep resentatives for counties not now provided for or newly created. Adopted, 34,822 for, 10,901 against. Amending Art. III, Sec. 4, extending the term of members of the General Assembly until the time fixed by law for the convening of the next General Assembly. Adopted, 35,733 for, 17,820 against. Amending Art. VI, Sec. 13, providing for additional compensation of the Superior Court judge in Bibb Superior Court. Adopted, 28,510 for, 16,472 against. Amending Art. VI, Sec. 7, authorizing the General Assembly to abolish justice courts in the city of Savannah. Adopted, 31,611 for, 11,173 against. Amending Art. XI, Sec. 1, providing for the creation of Bacon County from parts of the counties of Appling, Pierce and Ware. Adopted, 37,907 for, 10,170 against. Amending Art. XI, Sec. 1, providing for the creation of Barrow County from parts of the counties of Gwinnett, Walton and Jackson. Adopted, 40,273 for, 10,116 against. Amending Art. XI, Sec. 1, providing for the creation of Candler County from parts of the counties of Emanuel, Bulloch and Tattnall. Adopted, 36,694 for, 10,466 against. Amending Art. XI, Sec. 1, providing for the creation of Evans County from parts of the counties of Bulloch and Tattnall. Adopted, 36,669 for, 9,789 against. Amending Art. XI, Sec. 2, providing for the election of county officers for terms of four instead of two years. Adopted, 27,520 for, 26,451 against. Amending Art. XI, Sec. 3, authorizing the General Assembly to abolish the office of county treasurer in any county of the state. Adopted, 35,894 for, 15,953 against. Idaho. Submitted Nov. 3: Amending Art. IV, Sec. 1, extending the term of state officers from two to four years. Defeated, 23,952 for, 55, 062 against. Amending Art. V, Sec. 6, increasing the number of justices of the Supreme Court from three to five. Defeated, 17,170 for, 60,619 against. Amending Art. IX, Sec. 7, removing the Superintendent of Public Instruction from membership on the State Board of Land Commissioners. Defeated, 31,528 for, 44,168 against. Indiana. As provided by the act of March 15, 1913, the question of a call for a constitutional convention in November, 1915, was submitted to the people on Nov. 3. The proposal was defeated by a vote of 235,140 for to 338,947 against. Iowa.-Passed by the legislature of 1913, to be submitted to the legislature of 1915: the suffrage to women. Amending Art. II, Sec. 1, extending Amending Art. II, Sec. 7, relating to the time of holding general elections. Amending Art. III, Sec. 1, providing for the initiative and referendum. Amending Art. III, by adding Sec. 39, provide for the exclusive taxation of authorizing the General Assembly to classes of property for state revenue purposes. Kansas. Submitted Nov. 3: Amending Art. XI, Secs. 1 and 2, empowering the legislature to establish a system for raising state and local revenue and to classify the subjects of taxation. Defeated, 156,969 for, 166,800 against. Amending Art. IV, Secs. 3, 4 and 5, providing for the recall of public officers. Adopted, 240,240 for, 135,630 against. Kentucky. The two amendments relating to the classification of property and the use of convict labor on public roads and bridges approved by the people on Nov. 4, 1913 (A. Y. B., 1913, p. 200) were declared invalid by the Court of Appeals on Jan. 14 on the ground that they were not advertised at least 90 days before the election as required by the constitution. They were again passed by the legis lature of 1914 and will be submitted a second time in 1915. Louisiana. Submitted Nov. 3: Amending Sec. 65, raising the salary of the Governor from $5,000 to $7,500 per annum. Adopted, 17,772 for, 13,510 against. Amending Sec. 109, providing for an additional judge in certain judicial districts. Adopted, 18,493 for, 11,550 against. Amending Sec. 109, providing for an additional judge in the 13th district. Defeated, 7,519 for, 22,128 against. Amending Sec. 125, authorizing the legislature to create the office of assistant district attorney in each judicial district. Adopted, 17,564 for, 11,962 against. Amending Sec. 210, granting to women the right to hold any office connected with the public educational system of the state and with institutions of charity or correction. Defeated, 12,539 for, 19,654 against. Amending Sec. 223, providing for the recall of all elective public officers except judges. Adopted, 23,208 for, 7,650 against. Amending Sec. 232, permitting the levying of taxes by parishes and municipalities in excess of limitation for the benefit of fire departments and buildings. Adopted, 17,671 for, 10,851 against. Amending Sec. 255, relating to the support of public schools and the levying of taxes therefor by parishes, cities and town's. Adopted, 21,794 for, 8,386 against. Amending Sec. 281, amplifying the creation of drainage districts and permitting the bonds thereof to be sold at 90 per cent. of par. Adopted, 19,368 for, 9,366 against. Amending Sec. 303, relating to the granting of pensions to Confederate veterans. Adopted, 23,412 for, 8,012 against. Amending the constitution to define the extent and limitation of taxation on banks, banking associations, corporations or companies doing business in the state, but domiciled in other states or in foreign countries. Adopted, 24,615 for, 7,539 against. Amending the constitution to exempt from taxation all money in hand or on deposit and loans by homestead associations to their members secured by stock of the association. Adopted, 23,714 for, 7,947 against. from Amenaing the constitution to exempt taxation for ten years certain new canals for irrigation, navigation and power purposes. Adopted, 21,429 for, 9,247 against. Amending the constitution to authorize the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans to construct and operate a canal connecting Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi River. Adopted, 20,913 for, 8,577 against. Amending the constitution to provide for the registration and licensing of automobiles. Adopted, 22,544 for, 7,723 against. Amending the constitution to authorize the city of New Orleans to issue bonds to the amount of three million dollars for the creation of a Lake Shore Park and the levying of a special tax therefor. Defeated, 7,667 for, 21,953 against. Amending the constitution relative to the issue of bonds by the city of New Orleans for the support of public schools. Adopted, 19,876 for, 8,489 against. Maryland.-Submitted Nov. 3: Amending Art. IV, Sec. 44, Pt. vii, prescribing the mode of election, terms of office, and duties of sheriffs in counties and in the city of Baltimore. Adopted, 62,694 for, 40,428 against. Passed by the legislature of 1914, to be submitted in 1915: Amending the constitution by adding Art. XI-A, granting Baltimore City and counties power to legislate in local affairs and to create municipal charters. Amending Art. III by adding Sec. 60, empowering the General Assembly to provide by law for suspended sentences, for indeterminate sentences and for the parole of prisoners. Amending the constitution by adding Art. XVI, providing for the referendum. Amending Art. XV of the Declaration of Rights, providing for the classification of property for taxation. Massachusetts.-Passed by the legislature of 1914, to be submitted to the legislature of 1915: Amending Pt. I, Art. X, authorizing the state and municipalities to condemn property in excess of actual requirements for public purposes. Amending Art. III of the amendments, extending the suffrage to women. Amending the constitution to authorize the enactment of laws empowering the state to take and improve land for the purpose of relieving congestion and providing homes for citizens. Amending the constitution to authorize the enactment of laws imposing an income tax and providing for the classification of property. Michigan.-Submitted Nov. 3: Amending Art. III, Sec. 1, providing that students, members of the legisla ture and commercial travelers shall not be prevented from voting by reason of Adopted, 190,510 absence from home. for, 175.948 against. Amending Art. VIII, by adding Sec. 15a, authorizing counties to issue bonds for the construction of drains and the development of agricultural lands. Defeated, 165,290 for, 199,873 against. struction Amending Art. X, Sec. 10, authorizing the state to issue bonds for the conand improvement of public roads. wagon Defeated, 164,333 for, 202,087 against. Amending the constitution relative to the incorporation, regulation and supervision of fraternal beneficiary societies. Defeated, 92,392 for, 291,776 against. Minnesota. Submitted Nov. 3: for the initiative and referendum. DeAmending Art. IV, Sec. 1. providing feated, 168,004 for, 41,577 against. Amending Art. IV, Sec. 2, relating to the number and apportionment of state 98,144 for, 84,436 against. senators and representatives. Defeated, Amending Art. VI, Sec. 2, increasing the number of associate justices of the Supreme Court from four to six and providing that no statute shall be held less than five unconstitutional with judges concurring. Defeated, 127,352 for, 68,886 against. Amending Art. VI. Sec. 7, extending the term of office of probate judge to four years from two. Defeated, 128,601 for, 64,214 against. Amending Art. VII by adding Sec. 10, providing for the recall of public officials. Defeated, 139,801 for, 44,961 against. Amending Art. VIII, Sec. 2, authorizing the setting apart of a fund of $250,000 to be used in constructing roads, ditches and fire breaks for unsold school and swamp lands. Defeated, 162,951 for, 47,906 against. |