The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1847-10-01
TIL. New Constitution.

nv this time been pretty generally read by
the people, and many may already have
made M their minds as to how they vii
vote .pon it. Our opinion is that it viii not
encounter very serious opposition at the
polls 1t has doubtless many defects, bu'
MS whole, there can be no doubt but it is a
decided improvement upon the old consiiiu-
ton. We have no disposition 10 rev.wI II
at length. but it may be profitable TO glance
at its leading features.
esAmong those which we consider objec-
tionable, aud sincerely wish had not been
cngrafted upon it, are
LIST. The provision in reference TO the
vato power. All government nat lrally re-
solves itself into three grand divisions, the
legislative, the executive. and the judicial 3:
T. and in all governments that are not abso-
lutely despotic these perform their functions
distinctly and independently Of each other
but it was deemed by the trainers Of the
constitution of the United States the rerfcc
ton Of government not only TO recognize
these grand divisions, but also TO make them
mutually check upon each other. The yc-
10 power was devised as the executive check
upon the legislative power. by destroying
abandous this wise system Of checks and
balances. The power is conservative in
its nature, and has often been exertcd as
Wholesome check upon has'y and inconsil-
craze Legislation. Although it Las fire.
quently been rcSorted to By the president Of
the United States, we believe there is not a
. case on record where bill that had been
vetoed was ever re-cnacted by subsequent
congress.
ID. The bank clause. II should have
been total prohibition. This leaving the
currency question open for continual wrang-
ling and changes is the great folly of the
times. We care not what system is adopt
ted,-tank or no bank-matters will right
themselves if the SYSTEMS stable-perma-
nen'. All the currency difficulties of the
country have arisen from this perpetual
tinkering.
3D.. The suffrage clause. Two or three
years residence would have been long
enough. As soon as man becomes inter
osted in our soil, and declares under cath
his Intention TO become citizen ofthe Uni
ted States he should be allowed TO votc.
His property is liable to be taxed and there
shoul be 40 tavaton neutrality-suspicious..
i. The clause requiring vote of a ma
Jority Of all the members elected to the leg.
isla,nrc to pass bill. 1t is an anomaly in
legislation, aad may defeat many bill
though majority Of the members may be
really in favoroiit.
D. We cannot say that we Ike the indi-
ciary system, as Reconstructed. The old
one was faulty enough, the dear knows. but
the new one does not much improve it. Il
entails upon the people the additional cx-
pensc OF three supreme judges, and at least
loo county judges. We know not what may
be the result of this system of s.puppv
courts' as they have been, no, inap,ly,
termed, bat We confess, we arc 10, much
impressed in its favor.
Bat to these Objectionable features may
be successfully opposed as more than an off.
: bet, many important provisions, which mus,
rank as real reforms, and a, once stamp the
new as far superior to the old constitution.
VIC VIII Tor the present merely name few
Of these
l. Inc reduction Of the number Of sena-
tors and representatives. This is an impor.
tau. reform loudly called for by the peonle.
anu vii! result in an immense saving to the
state.
= Election Of Judges, Secretary Of State,
treasurer and Auditor by the people. The
coGrupdons ard waste Of time in elec,iue
these BY the legislature was one of the main
a'suA's"'s lo1 'ne call Of convention.
:. Abolition Of the council of Revision.
lhis was the most glaring absurlity of our
old constitution.
4. The provision that the APPROXIMATIONS
of any legislature shall no, exceed the roy.
true provided bythc Same legislature max.
Ing the appropriations.
b. The provision in reference 10 the c,c.
alton Of a state debt.
g., The provision to vote by ballot.
AZ z. The provision in reference 10 the Gre.
atio,, Of now counties. Wv Wv
.. Fixing the time Of meeting of the leg.
islature after the holidays.
o. Providing 2 cheaper and more acces.
slble mods If amending The constitution.
These o'e but a few Of tho most important
provisions that occur to us, and we could,
were II necessary, point OIL. many others
We need not enlarge upon these. Their
.a.GI.