The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1847-10-01
Address 10 the People.

ter OF the instrument which they now SUD-
nit for their consideration as a substitute Tor
the constitution under which we have lived
since the Institution OF our state government.
As the result of arduous and proiracted con-
sultation and delibeIation, it is 10 be Suppos-
ed that the members of the convention can
not iurcgo this opportunity to recommend II
10 your candid and appropriated invcstGa-
ton, as upon the final action Of tie whole
people at the polls, alone, depends is adop-
ton, or rejection.
The action of the convention has been
characterized by most liberal spirit of con-
ccNSion. Individual views and local prefer
cnccS and prcjudceS have been so cCmpro
missed aSto secure Ia our labors that success.
which could never have been otherwise at.
tanned, how arduOuS Socyer might have been
the struggle therefor. Awaiting themselves
Of the lights furnished by a highly advanced
state Of political science, your delegates
have sought to adapt their efforts to the de-
manGs of the growing interests and popula-
ton Of the state, consulting AT all times the
dictates Of the popular viii, whenever it
could be aSccrtainCd.
The proposed constitution is embraced
Within the limits OF fourteen articles, sever
ally devoted 20 the various Subjec,s which
experience pointed out as properly 10 be con
Ni3CrCd in tfNlning the organic law OF the
state. While too great detail has been
sought to be avoided, every possible ciior,
las been cNercd TO guard against anbigui'
ty and conflicting provisions.
Your delegates now submit TO You the
promiucu, details Of their action in the re-
organization of the several departments of
the government, as guide to your invcsti-
CATION Of their official course.
They nave steadily preserved rs wholly
distinct and Independent, the oft recognized.
three grand divisions of government, as es-
Scntial to the permaneucy and purity of our
free institutions, viz: the executive, lcgisla-
tive and judicial.
They have declared the boundaries and
Limits of the state, prescribed the jurisdic-
ton Of the government so far as the same
can be defined, and have provided for the
( final adjustment Of any doubts connected
I herewith, by convention with the state Of
Kentucky.
They have provided for the ro-organ.za.
! ton oi the executive department
/ By the election Of the Governor; limiting
his term of Office TO four years, rendering
/ him ineligible to consecutive reelection.
and fixing hi, salary at the sum of fifteen
hundred dollars per annun. BY requiring
asa qualification for Office that he shall have
attained the age Of thirty-tiye years. shall
have been citizen OF the United States
fourteen Years and of this state ten years.
and shall take an oath Of office.
/ By aboiishing the council of revision and
comforting on the governor the pow CT TO cX-
crcisc qualified veto.
By providing for the election Of a Hcu.cn-
ant governor, prescribing HI, duties, limit
ing his term Of Office, and Designating his
compensation.
By providing for the election ola sccrcta.
~ of STATE, who is TO continue in Office dur
ipg the term ol the governor; and for per-
/ forming such duties rs are or may be as
signed him, he is TO receive salary OF eight
/ hundred dollars. with his fees Of office.
They have reorganiact the legislative de-
u7r;mCu;-
BY restricting the number Of senators 10
| twenty five, and the number Of representa-
/ uvCS to seventy-hvc, and prescribing the
/ qualifications Of each.
| BY fixing, rs the time for meeting Of the
regular session OF the general assembly, the
/ first Monday in January, \. j.. 1919. and
on the first Monday in January bienuially
thereafter.
/ BY fixing the pay Of the members at two
/ dollars per day, for the first iorty-two days
Of the session, and at one dollar per day for
each day thereafter; and rendering them
| ineligible 10 any Office which may I've con-
/ lerrcd by the governor or the general assem-
! bly,, during the time for which they were
elected, and one year thereafter.
By requiring that bills providing for the
pay of members. or the salaries of state oil-
GERS, shall contain no other provisions what
ever.
BY providing that all final votes upon bills
shall be by yeas and nays, and tina, no bill
.shaIl become law unless by vote of a
aiority of all the members elected TO each
house.
BY prohibiting the passage of any laws
authorizing lotteries, or for Teviviug or cx-
I tending the charters of the state bank or any
other bank in this state. or any special law
authorizing the sale Of lands belonging to
individuals.
By requiring that each general assembly
| shall make appropriations for the expenses
of the government until the adjournment OF
! the next regular session; that such appro-
priatiuns shall not exceed the revenue for
the same period, and shall not be increased
or changed unleS, by vote of two.thir,S OF
each house Of such next general assembly.
Ry restricting the general assembly from
( borrowing any money, unless in eases of in
Surrcction, invasion or war, without sub
hitting the law. authorizing the loan and
providing fer its payment. 10 the people, at
lcaS; three months before the time Of voting
on the same. requiring a majority ola the
votes cast Tor members of the general as
Scmhly to give to such law validity and
force.
By refusing 10 allow the credit of 'hc state
to be given IN aid of any individual! corpora
. tiun or association.
BY directing that all contracts for fuel,
stationary. and other ncccSsarics in carry
ing ont the operations of the government,
shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder,
by adopting wholesome guards against
improper and corrupting influence ON this
department OF government
And by providing a new mode of deter
mining the census Of the state.
la arranging the judiciary they have
sought an improved system
BY devolving its powers and duties 81 q
supreme. circuit. and county courts, and jns-
1 49,. -. A.