Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1857-11-27
The communion of oregon.

The bill Of rights fthc State Constitution
just passed for Oregon and submitted to the
people ON the 9th inst, contains some Pc
culiar provisions.
No money is to be drawn from the treas
ury Coz tho benefit of any religious or theo-
logical institution, nor can auy uionsy ha ap-
proprated for the payment of any religious
service in either House of tho Legislative
Assembly. This latter clause would seem
designed to prevent tho payment of chap
lains.
No person shall be rendered incompetent
as witness or juror in consequence of his
opinion on matters of religion, nor be ques-
toned in any Court of Justice touching his
religious belief to effect the weight Of his
testimony Strenuous efforts have been
made of late years iu several States to in
troduce this rule Or some approach to it
A similar provision passed tho popular
branch of the Massachusetts Legislature
last winter, but was defeated in the Senate.
Oregon may, therefore, be considered as the
banner State in this divorce between relig-
ious opinions and tho administration Of
justice.
There is to be no Imprisonment for debt
except in case of fraud or absconding debtors.
White foreigners are to enjoy the same
rights with respect to tho possession and de-
scent of property as nativc-born citizens.
All white male citizens Of the United
States resident in the State six months and
all white male foreigners similarly resident,
-Ion ho, do
clared their intention to become citizens of
the United States are to be entitled to vote {;
but negroes, mulattoes and Cinnamon arc
expressly excluded from the right of suf-
frage. Voting is to be viva voce and not
by ballot. As to ordinary voting, the Leg
islature may alter this, but not so as to cleo
tions by the Legislature itself, or either
branch of it. State officers are to be chos-
en- bieuuialIy. A plurality is to elect. The
Senators arc to be chosen for four years,
half the whole number at each biennial
election, and the Assembly is to meet bien-
nally. The power of special legislation is
very much restricted. The legislature is for
hidden to establish or incorporate any bank
or banking company or moneyed institution
whatever, nor shall any bank of circulation
be permitted to exist in the State. The
legislature is forbidden to contract any debt,
except in case Of war, invasion or insurrec-
ton, exceeding $4,000, or to subscribe to
the stock of any association. A similar
prohibition as to stock subscription is placed
upon counties, towns and cities, whose pow
er to create debt is limited to $4,000.
The Governor, chosen for four years, is
also to be Superintendent of Public Instruc-
ton, and with the Secretary of State and
Treasurer, is to constitute board for the
sale of school and university lands, and the
investment of the proceeds for a school fund
The Judges of the Supreme Court, elected
by Districts, are to serve for six years. Eacf
county is also to elect County Judge Il
act also as Judge of Probate, and to holc
Office for four years.
The questions of the allowance of Slave
ry or its prohibition, and of the admission
or exclusion of negroes, are to be voted upol
separately.-N Y Tribune.