Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 November 1879 — CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS [ARTICLE]

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

To be Submitted to the People Next April. The last General Assembly concurred In seven of the nine pending amendments to the constitution of the State, and provided by law that they shall be submitted to the people for their ratification or rejection at their regular election next April. No man who favors fair election; an economical administration of the government; a reduction and equalization of official salaries will oppose any of these arnendmmta. Read them a no. study their provisions: AMENDMENT NO. L Amend section 2 of article iso as to read as follows: Section 2. In all elections not otherwise provided for in the constitution, every male citizen of the United States of the age of twentyone years and upwards, who shall have resided in the State six months, and in the township sixty days, and in the ward or precinct thirty days immediately preceding such election, and every male of foreign birth of the age of 21 years and upwards, 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 immediately preceding said election, and shall have declared his intention to become a citizen of the United States on the subject of naturalization, shall be entitled to vote in the township or precinct where he may reside, if he shall have been duly registerd according to law. AMENDMENT NO. 2 simply provides for striking out the words. “No negro or mulato shall have the right of suffrage,” contained in sectiou sos the second article of the constitution. AMENDMENT NO. 9. Amend section 14 of the second article to read: Section 14. All general elections shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, but township elections may be held at such times as may be provided by law, Provided, that the General Assembly may provide by law for the election of all judges of courts of general and appellate jurisdiction by an election to lie held for such officers only, at which time no other officers shall be voted’ for; and shall also provide for the registration of all persons entitled to vote. AMENDMENT NO. 4 amends by striking the word “white” from ftections4 and 5 of articles 4 and conforming the same to the constitution of the United States. AMENDMENT NO. 5 amends the fourteenth clause of section 22 of article fonr, to read as follows: In relation to fees or salaries, except the laws may be so made as to grade the compensation of officers in proportion to the population and the necessary services required. AMENDMENT NO. 6. 1 The following amendment is proposed, towit. Amend section lof the 7th article to read: Section 1. The, judicial power of-the State shall be vested in a supreme court, circuit courts, and such other courts as the General Assembly may establish. AMENDMENT NO. 7. No political or municipal corporation in this State shall ever become indebted in any manner, or forpny purpose, to an amount in the aggregate exceeding two per centum on the value of the taxable pronerty within said corporation, to be ascertained by the last assessment for State and county taxes, previons to the incurring of such indebtedness, and all bonds or obligations in excess of such amount given by corporations shall l>e void; provided that in time of war, foreign invasion, or other great, public calamity .on apetition of a majority of the property owners, in number and value, with the limits of such corporation.the public authorities, in their discretion, mav Incur obligations necessary for the public protection and defense, to such amount as may be requested in such petition. EXPLANATORY. No. 1 defines a qualified voter to lie a citizen of the United States and of the State, who has resided in the township sixty days immediately preceding the election—or thirty days in the ward. This amendment will prevent the importation of voters and place the elections under the control of actual citizens whose interests and rights are affected. It is right and just. No. 2 is,only a verbal alteration to make the State conform to the United States constitution. No. 8 abolishes the October election and provides for choosing State and county officials in November on the day of Presidential election. This amendment will save a hundred thousand dollars annually, and a vast deal of time and vexation. The work of two campaigns may be done Just as effectually in one. No. 4 is similar to No. 2, simply abolishing a dead letter. No. 6 makes it possible to regulate fees and salaries so that they shall be fair and just, and that officers will not be able to construe the law eo as to enrich themselves at the expense Of the taxpayers. No. 6 needs no comment. No. 7 restrains townships, towns and cities so that they cannot become bankrupt by excessive indebtedness. It is a wise and wholesome restriction. In fact all the foregoing amendments are so just and economical that the electors of Indiana should ratify them with great unanimity.