Decatur Democrat, Volume 56, Number 1, Decatur, Adams County, 5 January 1911 — Page 6

themmoouat JIVBBTTHCHAUAT MOKMIMO BY **> w °* »-L»NGHAM, FwbHrtwr. U.OOVBB TBAB IB ABVABOE Entered at the postotfioe at Decatur, md., as second chute mail matter. OFFICIAL PAPER OF ADAMS CO. THE NEW t CONSTITUTION There is nothing at all startling in the proposition ot tne democratic majority in the general assembly of the state of Indiana to present to the people of the State of Indiana, for ratification or rejection, at the general election in November, 1912, a new state constitution. As reported, it will be the old constitution of the state with certain changes made therein. It will be remembered that at the last general election there was submitted to the voters of this state an amendment providing that the general assembly might, by law, provide for the qualifications of persons admitted to the practice of law. Our present constitution is so worded that in order to amend the same it is necessary that the amendment shall receive a majority of the votes cast at. the election; not a majority of the votes cast for and against the amendment, but a majority of all the votes cast at the election. This proposed change failed for want of constitutional majorly. It was then discovered by decision in the 69th Indiana, that the amendment was not lost but was still pending and might be submitted to the people of the state, and it was • grave question as to whether any Other amendment could be sumbitted to the people of the state until this had been disposed of. It was suggested from many quarters that a special election should be called for in January of this year to dispose of this proposed constitutional amendment, in order that certain changes which many persons thought should be made in the constitution could be presented .at the present session of the legislature. Upon an examination of this question, it was found that this would he an expensive proceeding, would probably cost |50,000 to _ the people of the state of Indiana, and the proposed changes then would not only be compelled to pass this general assembly but the general assembly ot 1913, then be voted on nt the election in 1914, maybe fail for lack of a constitutional majority, and if carried, would accomplish none of the des'red purposes until the year 1916. -t was, therefore, thought advisable to do what can constitutionally be done, namely, take the old constitution which appeals in nearly every particular to all of the citizens of Indiana, make certain changes therein, and submit the same at the general election in 1912, which would enable the people to accomplish the reforms desired much more speedily and without any expense whatever, and If they did not want to accomplisn them, they could reject them without any expense to themselves whatever. The proposed changes are not numerous. The growth of modern industrial affairs has disclosed that all over the world they are coming to the conclusion that a workmen's compulsory compensation law is one that should be enacted. The ultimate consumer is now paying for the accidents which occur in all the Industries of this country and the casualty companies are getting the money, but the Injured employee frequently goes without any redress. Lawyers has disagreed , upon the power, under the present constitution, to pass a workman’s compulsory compensation law. Many believe it can be done. Others doubt it. It was, therefore, thought advisable to put the matter beyond peradventure by providing in the Bill of Rights that the general assembly may enact , workingmen's compulsory J// nought right for the case of necessity, to tha«k property without coming seriously < first assessed and tenderfl. Denman to _nat cnange Is proposed in by the death of fWersJ judge laylor.lt’- ’ The position 1« a better one m every’ j>

the question has said that the suffrage clause In our present constitution is too weak; that it is not right to permit men to land in America and in twelve months’ time cast a vote in the slate of Indiana, when no one knows whether they propose to become citizens of the state of Indiana or whether they propose to stay here a little while, make a few dollars and go back to Europe. We had the startling instance in 1908 when about 2,500 who had landed in America in March and April voted in November of that year. Their first papers are being taken out by political and industrial bosses, hundreds at a dine, and they are swaying and influencing public affairs unreasonably in Indiana. The proposed change in tne ’new constitution is that a man must be a citizen of the United States, live in Indiana twelve months, in the township sixty days, in the precinct thiry days and have paid his poll tax the year of the election and the year before in order to be entitled to vote. He may, hove ver, pay bis poll tax separate from his other tax. This is as liberal an election clause as is contained in any of the States of the Union, and is only intended to require persons to be genuine citizens of the United States before they can vote. This clause also requires a registration of the voters which may be alluded to hereafter. Every county has had its instances where young men have disappeared and from five to ten years afterward they suddenly turn up on election day and cast their votes. It was deemed appropriate to provide that if a nar left the state for twelve conse.vU.ve months, when he was not on the business of the state or of the United States, in order to retain hi« residence he should file a declaration of his intention to hold the same with the clerk of the court. The next proposed change is that the house of representatives shall not exceed one hundred thirty members; that each county in the state shall have one and the surplus shall be obtained by dividing the population by ninety-two and giving to each extra quota and fractional surplus of half a quota a representative. Under the present census this would make the number of representatives one hundred thirteen, and the constitution will provide for a population of four millions. The county is a subdivision of the state, and it ought to have a representative to represent its interests in the general assembly of the state of Indiana. The next proposed change is that there shall be two sessions of the general assembly: the first one of for-ty-five days m which to introduce, consider and amend bills, but not to pass a bill unless an emergency declared by two-thirds a majority of both houses requires the same; that the general assembly shall then adjourn for sixty days and reconvene and pass bills, such second session not to continue more than sixty days. It is well known that the difficulty with our present general assembly is that it has not time to consider bills, nor does the public ha e an opportunity of ascertaining what is pending before the general assembly, nor the terms of the pending measure. This is intended to give the public knowledge as to what the legislature proposing to do, and let the newsp» per press and all persons interested «amiliarize themselves with pending legislation so that when the legislators return they cannot only vote intelligently, but they can have the judgment and opinion of their fellowcitizens upon the propriety or impropriety of passing such measures as are pending before them. It further provides that the governor, for specific purposes and for a limited time not exceeding thirty days, may call the general assembly together. The next change proposed is that special charters be granted to the different cities of the state. This is to meet phase in legislation which is apparent to every one in getting around the constitutional provision against special legislation by passing laws applicable to cities of not more or less than a certain number of inhabitants, which numbers usually \ more than■MUy ra 7' hi » ' I «’ ifr,—

ought to be permited to do lawfully and not by finding ways to evade the constitution. The next change Is the compensation of legislators, it provides for ten dollars a day and the people of this state ought not to ask good men to serve in such responsible positions for less than that. The next proposed chago is in the vetc power ot tne governor. His present vetp power amounts to nothing, as a bill may be passed over his veto by a mere majority. The change proposes to require a veto to be passed by a three-fifths vote, but It also gives the governor the right to veto any item or items in any appropriatiyp bill. This will enable him, if he has judgment, to strike out any vicious appropriations without rendering the whole appropriation bill void and without stopping the wheels of government. The next change provides for four years' terms of office and renders men ineligible for holding more than four years in any period of eight years. No good reason can be given why certain state and county officers should hold two years while others should hold four years. Putting them all upon the same basis and then limiting their eligibility to office will enable them to direct their attention strictly to the business affairs of their offices and they will not be compelled to spend most of their time electioneering for for a renomination. This proposed change also applies to prosecuting attorneys, and to the state superintendent of public instruction, but the state superintendent of public instruction will be eligible to re-elec-tion. It is proposed also to change the number of supreme court judges to not less than five nor more than eleven. We now have a supreme court of five members and an appellate court of six, and very much of the trouble consists in the supreme court reaching down and overruling the opinions of the appellate court. It is deemed a wise proposition, when the present appellate court ends, to simply have one appellate court, and that . ui a supreme court. The next change tn the proposed new constitution is that on a petition of twenty-five percentum of the qualified electors of the state the general assembly may adopt laws to provide for the initiative, referendum and recall, both of state and local application. This is a very conservative proposal upon a radical change of government. It is not binding upon the general assembly, but whenever twenty-five per centum of the voters of this state demand these rights they will be acceded to by the general assembly. It is conservative in that it does not permit a sudden ebullition of passion among a small per centum of the voters to demand the initiative, referendum and recall, and it is sufficiently radical to call the attention of the legislature to the fact, that it must obey the people’s will or the people will take charge of their own affairs. The next proposed change is with reference to the qualifications of persons admitted to practice of the law, ,r the need of which, in some particular parts of the state has been admitted to have been crying for many years. Officers shall be elected by the people or appointed by the governor, except the officers of the general assembly and the United States senators, <nd no elective officer shall have his compensation or emoluments incr> ase< ] during the period for which he wks elected. This will wipe out a growing evil in the state Os Indiana, because a man is hardly elected to office beforetie begins to feel that the compensation which he is receiving is not commensuru e with the great services which he h> s rendered to the State. It is puttin, warning into the Constitution to ambitious men that when they are ta^ ng an o ffi ce they will take it for the Vimpensation provided and they will not, ly forming combinations among like o^ cerg or appeals to the Legislature, any additional compensation. . The next change is with referev, e to the submission of amF'" "vils. A. / county» the Constitution nojjj Tuesday *' v ment must pass tjff 17th and A f,liee and yA., /by C. 8. Mum-181l

people, This is a slow method ot righting things, when the people want to right them. The proposed new I Constitution provides that the amendment shall be submitted whenever it has passed one session of the General Assembly. And thus have been briefly stated to the people, aside from certain clerical changes, all the proposed changes lin the present Constitution of the State of Indiana. The wrongs proposde righted in this are wrongs which have been admitted to exist for many years in this state, and no Republican General Assembly has ever attempted to right the same. In fact, it has only been four years since the Republican General Assembly voted down a proposal for a Constitutional Convention. So that its pretended claim at the pres, ent time that it wants a Constitutional Convention is a mere subterfuge. -It does not desire any such convention. The people of this State are intelligent, wide-awake, reading. They know a good thing when they see it and they know a bad thing when they see it. They will have from now until November, 1912, to carefully examine the proposed changes, and they will be able to make up their minds as to whether they want to make these changes or not. No one who has considered the question will presume to say that the matter cannot thus be legally presented. Most of the features of the old Constitution have worked so well in the hour of peace and the hour of war as to be entirely satisfactory to the great body of the citizenship of Indiana. A Constitutional Convention would cost a vast amount of money, and nobody knows what the result of its deliberations might be. There are a hundred proposed reforms which might be presented and might be embodied in a new Constitution only to be rejected by the people. Such a body would be a vastly expensive one, and if their new Contitution should be rejected by the people in 1913 we would be just where we are today. These proposed changes upon mature thought and deliberation, will meet with the approval of the great body of the people of Indiana. They can thus be lawfully adopted, and If there are any other needed changes, the change with reference to amendments will make it extremely easy for the people to interpose these changes into the organic law of the State. The Democratic majority in the General Assembly is to be congratulated in having found a method whereby ! the wrongs of our organic law can be righted without expense to the people of the state, andthus save, as we believe they will in every instance, justified their ability to serve the people and to give them an honest and economic administration of public affairs. Do not be beguiled by charges that this is a political trick. It is a fair, honest and open presentation of the matter to you, and you should not make up your minds until you have read the proposed charges. When read, we believe you will approve them. After summing up Governor Marshall’s proposed new constitution, the Indianapolis News says: “Such are the principal amendments proposed. As we have said, they are in the main admirable. The constitution is to be commended both for what it is and for what it is not. But there are two questions that remain to be considered, and we feel that they are both important. The first is as to whether this method of making a constitution is legal. That is a question for the lawyers, and we do not propose to go into it now, further than to say that the old constitution provides for its own amendment, and that the method now proposed does not conform, as we think, to that provision. It is understood that technically the process is not that of an amendment, but rather the making of a new constitution. It may be then that it is within the letter of the law. The other question is more important, and that is whether such important changes, even though they all be good, should thus suddenly be presented to the people. The matter! -'as not, till now, been considered at Ml by the people of the state. It was > en, ls«ue in the recent campaign.

NBltber party ,or ™ **’ i.lature was not elected to do th . thing, or with the rmotest idea it was to do it. There has been, up to now, and will be no time for discession. We should not forget that a constitution is the fundamental law, the law on which all other laws depend. Eevery citizen of the state will feel that he has a right to express blB opinion on the question, as of course he has. Is that right sufficiently safe-uguarded? Much depends on when the special election for the consideration of the constitution is called if ample time Is allowed, and if there is a fair and exhaustive discussion of all the questions involved, much of the objection will be removed. We are for tae young men. They are the ones who must make good in order that those of matured age, who have climbed the ladder of success, may let go, and the conduct of affairs in general go on In the even tenure of their way. We are always happy when a young man does make good and we believe the public generally feels so. At this time we call the attention of the public to a young man who is succeeding with both feet right here in our midst and that man is R. C. Parrish, prosecuting attorney for the twenty-sixth judicial district. During the past week he has mixed up with the best legal minds in this section, has tried several cases in the circuit court, and has surprised even his wannest admirers by his able and efficient manner of handling cases in court. He has made all the attorneys of the Adams county bar sit up and take notice, and they all know by this time that they will have an antagonist worthy of their best efforts when they oppose him in the trial of a lawsuit. Keep It up, Pat, go to it, and keep on working. The future looks bright, indeed.

The republican party is face to face with a very serious situation. The vote in the house on the reciprocity bill weakened the party considerably, for that showed an actual republican majority against the bill. It was saved by democratic votes. Yet there was a strong republican minority on the right side, and that is something, now the senate has its chance. The bill is earnestly supported by a republican administration, and the administration is supported by the people. Nothing has done so much to weaken the republican party as the belief of many that it is wholly subservient to the interests. That belief will be greatly strengthened by the defeat of the pending bill. Senators should not only reflect on the possibility of an extra session, but they should remember that there is a presidential election to be held next year. Those who are best informed are known to hold the view that failure to pass this bill will insure the election of a democratic president. Certain it is that the people will feel that they have again been betrayed. —lndianapolis News. * “ ( Governor Marshall's new constitu- , tion reads good. We believe it will 1 stand the test of time, that the more 1 the people read and hear it, the more « they will be convinced that it will j serve the people better than the pres- , ent one. There need be no hurry <

about forming your opinion concrning ft. Study it well and when the time comes to vote on it be prepared to say whether or not you want it, by casting your vote for or against it. Under a recent law passed by congress, a daily newspaper must be paid in advance, that is if there is due thereon more than three months, the publisher must pay regular postage rates to send same through the postoffice. It is said that inspectors are now enforcing the law and it behooves every one to get on the right side of the ledger, if he wants to read his daily paper. Adams county is proud of her showing in the district spelling contest. Two firsts and one alternate is certainly taking her share, and only proves that Adams gets what she goes after. Don’t be surprised if we make the bunch step some at Indianapolis on March 30th, when the state con-

. test is to be held. Both the conteet--1 ants who will represent us at that time and place. Marion Michaels and , Clara Gilbert, reside in Monroe township. We congratulate them, as well as their teacher and Superin- , tendent Opliger. The last week of the local option fight is here. Each side will no doubt put in good licks this week, though neither has announced its program. The drys will have several public meetings, however. So tar there have been no serious conflicts and opinion as to the result seems to hinge on whether you ask a "wet” or a “dry.” There seems to be some doubt as to the Proctor option law being held good, and to correct it, or prevent auy rhance of the courts holding it un- , constitutional, a new bill will be hurried through the legislature. Now If this law is bad, will some one please say just where we are at with this local option election campaign we have on? It is suggested that a public feed yard in Decatur would be a mighty handy thing for the farmers who trade here; that we haven’t even a public watering trough; that a ladies’ waiting room would be appreciated by the farmer’s wife and daughter; that there are many ways which will help Decatur and still are inexpen sive, if we just do them. Let’s. The time for advertising for spring goods approaches. Within a fortnight, the goods will be moving and the wise merchant looks after the early trade. Decatur merchants should awaken. It's time to get busy. If you haven’t contracted for space, do so at once. W’rite advertisements. Get them started. Just what the new constitution will be or how we get it, doesn’t seem to have so far been made clear to the average citizen of Indiana, but there seems to be something doing in the line and the new suggestions are for the most part, improvements. Every citizen of Decatur should vote on the local option question next Tuesday. It is a question of importance, and one which every one understands, thoroughly. You at least owe yourself the casting of your ballot, one way or the other. So far there has been no exciting doings in the option election in Decatur. Each side seems to have settled down to work and their efforts are being carried forward quietly but we venture to say, steadily. At the nour 01 twenty minutes past one o'clock Monday a. m. another useful life passed away when Mrs. Mary Anna Ahr died at the home of her daughter, Miss Nora, corner of Monroe and Fourth streets. For over a year she has been in failing health, and nearly all this time has been suffering from cancer, which caused her passing from this earth to her God. She was one of the prominent ladies of this city and county, having spent nearly her entire life here, and becoming acquainted with a large circle of friends. She had reached the advanced age of seventy-three years and seven months, and when afflicted with this dreaded disease nothing in medical science could be done to effect a cure.

She was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, but most of her life was spent fn Union township, where she and her husband resided, the hrsMnd preceding her in death seventeen years ago. Five years ago the family moved to thfs city, where they have since resided. Mrs. Ahr has been making her home with her daughter, who has been caring forher during her illness. She leaves to mourn their loss besides a wide circle of friends, six children, four daughters and two sons, who are as follows: Mrs. Ida Chap- E man of Union township, this county, I Mrs. D. H. Hunsicker, Nora, at home; I Mrs. William Wysong of Bluffton; I Charles in Monroeville, and Edward, I also of this city. The funeral services ■ was held on Wednesday afternoon ■ at I:3# o’clock from the Methodis I church, with the pastor, Rev. Church. ■ officiating. Interment was made at ■ Maplewood cemetery. ■ o I Indianapolis, Feb. 20—Articles or ■ Incorporation have been filed for the S Kuebler Company, Decatur; capita M stock, $10,000; general merchants; di- J rectors, W. A. and Anna M. Kuebler, Oscar Lankenau and Frank Barthel- ■

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