Page:North Dakota Reports (vol. 48).pdf/475

This page needs to be proofread.
WILSON v. CITY OF FARGO
451

was two fold, in that it refers to exemption from taxation and limitation of taxation. But a careful consideration of the title and of the whole of the act leads to the conclusion that the whole subject or object of the act is taxation. Exemption from taxation and limitation of taxation are not incongruous terms. They relate to the same subject or object to wit: taxation and it is our view that change in the bill during its passage, which related to taxation did not change the purpose of the bill for it seems clear that chap. 122 relates to no other subject or object than taxation. :

As to the second contention that the act contravenes 61 of the constitution, it may be observed that chap. 223 relates to the subject of taxation. It is true that the term exemption is there used, but its use relates exclusively to the subject of taxation. If the term exemption appearing there, referred to the homestead exemption as defined by law, or to that part of a debtor’s property exempt as against the claims of creditors, then that term would not relate to the subject of taxation and it would not in that case be congruous with the term “Limitation of Taxation.” But such is not the fact. All of chap. 223 and ail of chap. 122 relate exclusively to the subject of taxation and the terms of both we believe are congruous. Assuming that 223 is an original act,—which it is not, but an amendatory act only—it would seem that the amendment 122, 1s germane to the subject of that act (taxation) and within the title of it.

There is another view that may be mentioned. 122 is not an amendment of an act but an amendment of an amendment. This fact complicates the situation and we have been able to find no case similar in this respect. Taking chap. 34 as the original act relative to Revenue and Taxation and regarding 223 and 122 as in effect amendments thereof for each has become a part thereof, and are additional and supplementary of it, we think the rule would apply, that if the subject or object matter of the amendment is germane to the subject matter of the original act (chap. 34) and within the title thereof (Revenue and Taxation) it is sufficient. In State v. Fargo Bottling Works, 19 N. D. 409, it in substance was held that “If the subject matter chap. 187 (an amendment) is germane to the subject of the law of 1890 (the original act) and is fairly within the title of that act, its title is sufficient, whether or not it would be so standing alone.”’ It would seem quite clear that all of 122 is germane to the subject matter of chap. 34, the original act, and within the title of that act to wit: Revenue and Taxation. That principle is illustrated by other decisions of this court.