Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 February 1880 — INDIANA NEWS. [ARTICLE]

INDIANA NEWS.

All but one of the woolen mills in Indiana have shut down, owing to the high price of raw material. Greencastle is experiencing a temperance revival, fifty having joined the Bine Ribbon Glnb during the past week, and 180 since New Year. The farmers of Northern Indiana have got their work in good shape, and, when the time eomes for spring plowing, there will be nothing in the way. New Aluany had a terrific thunderstorm the other night. The entire heavens appeared to be one blaze of electric light, followed by terrifying claps of thunder. The report of the State House Commissioners for the past quarter shows that the total expenses have been $182,577.87, of which $146,145.42 wason account of construction. The members of the Shelbyville bar have directed that a catalogue of tho law books owned by each of the attorneys of that city be printed for the general convenience of the bar. William Laser has been arrested at Peru, charged with swindling the farmers of Miami and Howard counties by inducing them to sign their names to a report to the Agricultural Department, and leaving a space blank above their names which he would till out as a promissory note. As far as known, he had not succeeded in selling any of the notes.

Conatitutional A uieiidinenlß. Several important amendments to the constitution of Indiana have been agreed to by a majority of the members elected to each of the two houses of the General Assemblies of 1877 and 1879,and by an act of tho last General Assembly, approved March 10, 1879, these said amendments are to be submitted to theelectors of the State of Indiana for ratification or rejection, at an election to be held on the first Monday in April, 1880. The law providing for the submission of these amendments to the electors of the State enacts that “Tho Secretary of State shall procure ballots of blue paper on each of which shali be printed the word ‘ Yes ’ iu one line, and in another line the word ‘No;’ that any qualified elector may vote for or against amendment by depositing one of said ballots in the ballot box. If he intends to vote for any amendment he shall leave thereon the word ‘Yes’ and erase the word ‘No’ by drawing a line across it, or otherwise. If he intends to vote against any amendment,. the word ‘ Yes ’ shall in like manner be stricken out, and the word ‘No’ left; and, if both words are allowed to remain without either of them being so erased, tho vote shall not be counted either way.” These amendments are designated by numbers, and are numbered 1,2, 3,4, 5, 6 and 9, numbers 7 and 8 having failed to receive the majority of tho votes of both branches of tho last General Assembly. AMENDMENT NO. 1. Amend section 2 of article 2 so as to read as follows: # Section 2. In all elections not otherwise provided for by this constitution, overy male citizen of the United States of the age of 21 years and upwaid, who shall have resided iu the State during the six months and in the township thirty days, and in the ward or procinct thirty days immediately preceding such election; and every malo of foreign birth, of the age of 21 years and upward, who shall have resided in the United States one year, and shall have resided in the State during the six months and in the township sixty days, and in the ward or precinct thirty days, shall have declared his intention to become a citizen of the United States, confoi mably to the laws of tho Uuited Btates on the subject of naturalizition, shall bo entitled to vote in the township or precinct whore he may reside, if ho shall have been duly registered according to law. As theconstitutionnow stands nofixed period of residenco is required in a township and ward before voting. AMENDMENT NO. 2 “imply provides lor s'rikiug out tho words: “ No negro or mulatto shall have the right o? suffrage,’’contained in sc c ion 5 of the second article of the constitution. And tl ereby conforming the constitution of Indiana to tho constitution of the United State s. AMENDMENT NO, 8. To amend section 14 of tho second article to read: Section 14. Tho general elections shall be held on the first .Tuesday after the fu st Mon.day in November, but township elections may be Leld at such time as may be provided l y law. Provided, that the General Assembly may proviie by law for the election of all Judges of courts of geners 1 and appellate jur.sdiction by an election to be held for such officers only, at which time no other officer shall be voted for; and shall also provi e for tho l egistration of all persons enfi'led to vo4 AMENDMENT NO. 4 amends by striking ont the word “white” from section 4 and 5 of article 4, oonfoi miug the same to the cons'itution of tho Uuited States. AMENDMENT NO. 5. amends the fourteenth clause of section 22 of article 4 to read as follows: In relation to fees and . salaries, except tho laws may be so made as to grade the compensation of officers in proportion to the population and tho necessary services required. Tbii provision will enable the General Assembly to grade the compensit’on of county officers aud pay them in proportion to the population of the coun y and the services ac ually required. AMENDMENT NO fi. The following amendment is proposed, tewit: Amend section 1 of the 7th article tj read: Section 1. Too judicial power of tho State shall be vested in a Supreme Court, Circuit Courts, and such other courts as tbe General Assembly may establish. The words “such other courts” are substituted for tho words “such inferior courts,” enabling tbe Legislature to establish other courts not inferior in juiiidiction to the Circuit Court. AMENDMENT NO. 'J. No political or muuicip 1 corporation in this State shali ever become indebted, in any manner, or for any purpose, to an amount in tbe aggregate exceeding 2 per centum on the value of the taxable property within said corporation, to be ascertained ny the last a'-sesiment for State and county taxes previous to the incurring of sujh indebtedness, and all bomls or obligations in excess of such amount given by such corporations shall be void; provided that in time of war, fore gn Invasion, or other greit. public calamity, on petition of a majority of the property owner'*, in number ami valuo, within the limits of such corporation, tbe public authorities, in their discretion, may incur obligations necessary for the public piotcction and defense, to such an amount as may be required in such petition.