Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 March 1881 — The Amendmeats [ARTICLE]

The Amendmeats

Next Monday is the day set apart by the Legislature for an election to determine the will of the people as to (he adoption of tlie constitutional amendments. It is an election of vast importance to every voter in the state, Not one who is not physically incapacitated, should fail to so shape his affairs that he may be able to attend and take an active part in the election. The amendments have been carefully considered and favorably passed upon bv three leuisiaturea, and their adoption recommended by three Governors. At the election last spriQg, they were adopted,by a large majority of the votes cast. T 1 ey were afterward annulled by the Supreme court in view of t‘»e inlluence it was hoped such nu actieu might have in gsviug Indiana’s candidate for president favor with the democratic convention at Cincinuntti. This was done in face of the fact that a resjiectable minority of Democrats, who favsred honest elections and administration of the of the state. The amendments are not, r.or were they, in their origin intended to be pnrtisau la meaning or construction. The |fMme objects in view w era f ir and honest elections, and economy-. In nothing were they calculat.nl to deprive one bitizon of a rigid enjoyed bv auother, nor did they tend to secure to one any privilege not granted to another. The first amendment provides agfdnst the importation of voters from other slates, and against the perfoim a pees of repeaters au I shoulder hitters. It requires a definite time of residence in the state, county and ward or prici ct before the ballot of a voter cau be accepted. It further provides for the registering of each voter before he submits his vote to tire inspector. By it 3 provisi ms, in addition to a res- | i 'ence of » ; x months in the state, a citizen of foreign birth must have resided in the United States one year immediately preceding the election at which he offers his ballot. 6 . _ The second amendment conforms our c u tiliitioii to that of the Unitad j States by expunging from it tire exception to the cnitanthUemctit of tho negro. Tlie third amctidmeut provides 1 :t time of holding general elections.

thus avoiding the necessity rate elections fur state and ualional •dficers and, by this means saves to tiie state many thousands of dollars. The fourth amendment, like the second amends the constitution by striking out some antiquated exceptions to the man of color. No intelligent man will beso blinded by predjudice as to vote against the adoption of this amendment. By the fifth nindndnyent the pay off county otricers is made proportionate to the utuount of work required, the sixth lias reference to the judicial power « f the state, and the ninth relates to the power of niunicipal.corprratioua to contrast indebtedness beyond a specified limit. - Bonded' indebtedness increases the burdens of taxation. Surely this amendment must receive the hearty- indorsement of overy taxpayer. These amendments, while they may be the eccnsion of inconvenience to some individuals, are meant for the g* neral gooiTand should he approved next Monday by evuti a larger majority than they received lakt spring.