The hydraulic press., 1860-10-20
ceNsT1ruT1oNAL CONVENTION.

/ 0erstood IN many mountain localities. It is
q subject upon which political orators have
been entirely silent; and even the press has
| find in some instances, that otherwise intel
ligent men, are ignorant of the manner of
the Convention, the extent of its powers, and
| the, purposes which are proposed to be ac-
|. .complished by it. This may be taken as
prominent-reason why the voters have here
tofore manifested so much indifference in
relation to the Convention
The last Legislature passed an act author
| izing the people to vote at the same time
and places as they vote for members of the
next Legislature lin the coming election, for
or against the calling of Convention to
revise and amend the present State Consti-
tuition. Should their decision be favorable
to Convention, it will devolSe upon the
Legislature which meets in January, to say
when and where the Convention shall assem-
bic, to specify the time at-which its delegates
shall be chosen, and the number of which it
shall be composed.
The objects contemplated by the Conven-
ton, are numerous. For instance, Congress
has been petitioned to cut OFF slice of Utah
Territory-the Washoe region-and attach
it to California. In that event, it would be
necessary to enlarge our boundaries. Con-
gress has also been asked to grant its per-
mission for division of the agricultural
from the mining counties of the State
Should that permission be given, it will be
necessary to contract our boundaries. Here
are two important propositions, at the out
set, both of which, however, are contingent,
and neither of which has, thus far, we believe,
been even incidentally discussed among the
arguments pro and cen, in relation to the
Convention.
So much Of the present Constitution, as
relates to the distribution of the powers of
the State Government, requires amendment,
by the adoption of additional guards and
checks, to prevent the interference OF one
department with the duties of another
There is now constant tendency towards
ncroachment-especially on the part of the
Supreme Court, as has been more particular
ly shown in some of its recent decisions.
We PROPOSE furthermore, by the action
of this Convention, so to amend the Consti-
| tuion, as
lst, To make the sessions of the Legisla-
| tnra biannia1
3D. To establish some educational qualli-
fcation for members of the Legislature.
Sd, To locate permanently the capital of
the State.
4th, To define more particularly the mean
ing of the words "Sunday excepted" f" as relates
to the length of time the Governor may
detain bill ia his hands after it bas passed
the Legislature.
9Th, To limit the appointing power to the
Legislature and the Governor.
9th, To correct the ambiguity of sec. 81,
art. 4, and some other portions of the pres
ent Constitution.
7th, To provide some better method to
enforce sec. %, of art. 4, of the present Con-
stitution.
stb, To remove the individual liability
clause, excepting in certain specified cases.
9th, To limit the exercise of the pardoning
power.
10th, To abolish the useless and expensive
office of Attorney General.
llth, To remodel the Supreme Court Five
or seven Judges should occupy its bench, in
stead of three, who, if chosen at all by the
people, should be designated at some other
time than general election, and hold their
Office for longer period than two years,
and the Court have appellate jurisdiction in
no case under five hundred dollars.
18th, To diminish the number of inferior
Courts, and enlarge the powers and duties
of Justices of the Peace.
18th, To establish appellate jurisdiction
from the inferior to the District Courts.
14th, To abolish the election of Clerk of
the Supreme Court by the people, and vest
the powep of appointment in the Governor.
18th, To locate the Supreme Court perma-
nently at the capital of State, and prevent
the Judges from becoming lobby-members
and log-rollers on the floor of the Legisla-
tive chambers.
10th, To insert clause preventing the
Legislature from granting public officers
| leave of absence from the State.
18th, To abolish the militia system, and
provide for the encouragement of the yolun-
teer service.
18th, To strike out sec. l, of art. 9, provid-
ing for the election of a Superintendent of
Public Instruction-the duties of which, by
law, can easily be vested in the Secretary of
State, without additional cost to the Treas
ury.
10th, To strike out the dead letter clause
relating to dueling.
goth, To make defalcatious in Office penal
| offence and abolish the humbug system of