Democratic banner., 1850-01-07
New Constitution of Kentucky.

The Louisville papers of Monday last,
contain the new Constitution of Kentucky,
as adopted by the recent Convention, and
submitted to the people for their acceptance
or rejection. We have not had time to look
over the provisions of this instrument, but
we suppose the changes are fully indicated
in an address from the Convention to the
people, which accompanies the CoDstitu-
ton. 1t is said:
Among the changes made in the Constitu-
ton, are the following; Biennial sessions Of
the Legislature, limited in their duration
TO sixty days. The protection cf the P3b-
lie credit, by expressly prohibiting the Leg
islature from contracting any debt, save for
the expense Of the government, without the
assent Of the people given at the polls.-
Private and special legislation is forbidden;
and this hitherto fruitful source Of expense,
Including the grant of manifold divorces, SO
long borne and so strongly condemned, is
entirely removed.
The mode Of selecting the agents neces-
ssry to the just and proper administration
of the government in its several depart
ments having been vested directly in the
people, has necessarily shorn the Gov
ernor of much of the power and patron
sge hitherto entrusted to him, it is still, how
ever, his duty to enforce the faithful exc
cution Of the laws, and to secure and main
tain, by executive authority, the safety and
dignity of the Commonwealth.
The mode of appointing ihe judges has
been altogether changed, and for the first
time in the history of this Commonwealth,
been given directly to. the people. The
Court Of Appeals is to consist of four Judg-
es. The State is to be divided into four
districts, in each of which an Appellate
Judge is 70 be elected for the period Of
eight years. with the power, on behalf of
the Legislature, to reduce the number to
three, should it be deemed expedient. The
number Of Circuit Judges is reduced from
nineteen to twelve, and they are to be elect
ed every six years in their respective Cir
lcuits.
The old county court system is entirely
abolished. The judges, one president and
1.-TWO associates, are TO be elected by the
people of the several counties, having the
same Jurisdiction, in all respects, which has
been exercised by county courts,
as organized by the constitution of 1873,
except when the county levy is 10 be inn
posed, or county debts created, when the
General Assembly may require the Justices
of the peace, also elected by the people, to
form part Of the court in the exercise Of
the great power of taxation.
The clerks ofthe several courts, sherifs,
Justices Of the peace, and constables, and
all other county officers and officers Of the
militia, are to be elected by the people at
stated periods.
The public credit, that great element Of
social and political power, has been still
further sustained BY. rendering inviolable
the resources of the sinking fund, and by
requiring the faithful application thereof to
The payment of the interest az well as the
principal Of the public debt.
irThe promotion and diffusion of knowl-
edge among our citizens, has been secured
Iby the dedication Of the school fund to a
|systsn Of public instruction in primary
schools, which, If properly managed by the