The Davenport daily gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1869, 1857-07-09

AmRDD " 49, vOUsssOs0O
We publish below . s,nopsiscf be amend
ncnts to the old Constitution. This is the I
same synopsis prepared for the Gassite at the |
conclusion Of tho Convention, by our Dele
gate. II will he found correct. Citizens
may BE- enabled to obtain much better
idea Of what these amendments really are
by reading this synopsis than by comparing
the whole &c the two Constitutions togeth-
err. IL instead Of publishing the long Con
stitution itself. our friends of the Iowa press
would give their readers this or similar sy-
nopsis, il might be better for all sides. 1.-The
amendments arc endorsed in brackets like
this paragraph
RiLL o. RIGHTS.
Sec. 4. No religious test shall be rcquir-
cd A. A qualification for any Office or public
trust. and no person shall be deprived Of
any of his rights, privileges, or capacities,
or disqualified from the performance Of any
Of Iii. public or private duties, or rendered
incompetent To give evidence In any court
of law o. equity. in consequence OF his opin-
ions on the subject Of religion; land any
party 10 any judicial proceeding shall have
the right 10 use as witness, or to take the
testimony Of, any other person not dsqual-
\ iiiel on account Of interest, who may be- cog
INFANT Of any fact material 10 the case and
I parties to suits may I've witnesses, as proyid-
cd by law.l
The object Of this amendment i Ia secure
to every man the right IA, and full enjoy
mcnt ~, all the means necessary Ia defend
hi, life, liberty and property. 50 lar as the
same can he secured in the organic law Of
state.
Sec 10. In all criminal prosecutions, land
in case. invoking the life or liberty 81 an
individual the accused shall have the right
10 a speedy and public trial by an impartial
Jury; to bc informed Of the accusation against
him, and 10 have copy of the same when
demanded; 10 lac confronted with the wit
nc,,c. against him; to have compulsory pro-
cess fsr his own witnesses; and To have the
( assistance ~ counsel.
Regarding the right II trial BY jury as the |
strongest barrier that can be erected be- |
tween the oppressed and the oppressor, con- |
vention were induced 10 extend that right |
20 class of cases not provided in the pres
cnt constitution.
Sec. Is. The writ Of habcas corpus shall |
not be suspended, for refused when applica-
tion is made rs required by lawl unless in
case OF rebcllionor invasion, the public safe
~ may require IL.
This amendment makes il imperative on
the Judicial officer to issue the writ in all
cases not coming within the exceptions. lie
cannot exercise, a. heretofore, any discrc- |
tionary power.
Sec. IL. Private property shall not he Ia
ken for public Use without just compcnsa-
ton first being made or secured TO be paid
tn the owner thereof, as noon n the DANA
e., shall he assessed BY a jury, who shall
not take into consideration any advantages
that may result to said owner on account Of
the improvement for which il is taken.l
This amendment makes the payment a
condition preceie,a to taking private proper
~ for public use, and settles all controver-
- about resulting advantages.
LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT.
Sec. 2. The sessions oC the General As
sembly shall be biennial and shall commence
on the second Monday lin january next
ensuing the election 81 is members; unless
tho Governor Of the State shall, in the mean
time convene the General Assembly by
proclamation.
Sec. ,. The members II the House IL Rep
rcscntativcs shall he chosen every second 4
year. BY the qualified electors &c their re-
spccfi,c districts, on the second TUESDAY
ia October. and their term of office shall
commence on the first I,lay of January next /
after their election and continue two yaars,
and until other electors are elected and |
qualified.
The amendments to the foregoing section,
change the time Of holding the sessions Of
the General Assembly from December Ia
January, and the elections Of Representa- |
tiycs from August 10 October.
Sections Ii and L. are consolidated and
the following amendment added:
Amy bill submitted to the Governor for
his approval during the last three days of
session oi the General Assembly, shall be
| deposited by him IN the Office ri the Secre-
tars If State within thirty days after the
adjournment, with hi> approval II approved
by him, and with his objections il he disap-
prove, thereof.
Section l. !. entirely new and Is A. FOL
lows:
Sec. H. M bill shall be- passed unless by
the assent of majority Of all the members
elected to each branch of the General As
scmbly, and the question upon the final pas
sage shall be taken immediately upon its
last reading, and thu yeas and nays entered
IN the Journal.
Sections 30, 81 and IS are ~ nearly all
new that insert them without brackets as
follows:
Sec. 30 The General Assembly shall not
pa~s local or special laws in the following
cases:
For the assessment and collection Of taxes
for State county or road purposes.
For laying out, opening and working roads
or highways.
For changing the names ri persons.
For the incorporation of cities and
towns.
For yacating reads, town plats, streets,
alleys, or public squares.
For locating or changing county seats.
In all the cases above enumerated, and in
all other cases where general law can be
made applicable all laws shall be general,
and of uniform operation throughout the
state; and no law changing the boundary
line, Of any county shall have effect until
upon being submitted 10 the people IL the
counties affected by the change, at rcncr
nj election, IL shall b. approved by major
iiy Of the votes in each county. cast for and
against Il.
Sec. II. No extra compensation shall be
made Ia any officer, public agent, or con-
tractor, after the service shall have been
rendered, or the contract entered into nor
shall amy money be paid on any claim, the
subject matter ef which shall not have been
provided for by pre-existing laws, aud no
! public money OF property shall be appropri-
ated for local or private purposes, unless
such appropriation, compensation or claim,
be allowed BY two thirsis ii the members
elected TO each branch If the General As
scmbly
Sec. 50. The Senate shall not consist Of
more than fifty members, nor the House Of
Representatives Il more than one hundred
and they shall be apportioned among the
several counties and representative districts
ofthe State, according 10 the number Of
white inhabitants in each, upon ratios being
liked by law. But no representative dis