Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1862-04-01
The New Constifutiau.

labors- 10 close on the 9th ult after
session of over two months.
The convention lost no time in bnnconbe
speeches, but the members applied them
selves faithfully and necessarily to the
work before them. All seemed to feel the
weight Of the solemn responsibility that
rested upon them, and completed the bust
ness for which they had been selected with
a fidelity to the rights and interests of the
people and public patriotism, that cannot
be excelled Every man was ct his post
day and night, laborirg to frame an or
ganic law for our future guidance ;and the
time occupied was not moment too long
for the accomplishment of so important
work.
The 18th of June next is fixed as the
time for the vote to be taken for the a6op-
ton or rejection Of the, new constitution
We have not had time to examine the docs
unieut fully, but from hasty rerusal, We
are led to the conviction that it is great
improvement on the old constitution
Many of the amendments proposed are i'm.
perative to our present condition as State.
and demanded by our future prospects for
improvement and power.
A respected cotemporary very truly
says that one of the principal merits Of the
new constitution, is. that it absolutely cuts
extravagant Legislation. II fcrbids special
legislation of any sort. Il puts veto upon
unnecessary corporate privileges aud mon-
opolies. 1t forbids cities. towns, and coun.
ties from borrowing largely or running in
debt, when the wherewith to pay is not
provided. 1t bars the issue of rag curren
cy, and thus shuts tire doors against Wild
cat and stumptail institutions. 1t secures.
beyond the reach of venal legislation in
the future. the States interest ir the prof.
it's of the Illinois Central Railroad 1t
provides that the Judiciary shall be cheap.
ened by the reduction Of Circuits, and,
which il very appropriate, leaves the ques-
| ton as to the amounts of salaries tn be al
lowed our different Judges, to be fixed by
/ our Legislature. 1t takes Of the two mill
tax. which will reduce our taxation consid
erably, an object most desirable in the pre-.
sent alarming crisis.
There are other important provisions in
the new constitution, to which, however,
| We have not time to allude now. That in
regard to protecting laborers on our rail-
roads and other public improveme from
being swindled by their employees and
robbed by soulless corporations, We regard
as most essential.
Taking the document as a whole, it is as
good az could be framed. considering the
vast dispersity of interests which required
protection.
The Abolitiuuists and Republicans
while they can present no tangible reason.
against any of the provisions of the new
constitution, have opened brisk warfare
against it. They were very anxious thai
| a convention TO frame a new constitution
should be hell-indeed, the proposition fol
the convention found its parentage amongst
Republicans. But because the people were
afraid to trust them. and selected Demo
Gratis to frame our organic law, the whole
brood from Lovejoy down to the smallest
school house declaimer, may be expected tc
oppose it. They have proclaimed it thrO
their leading journals in advance. and WI
shall be disappointed if it should not b,
carried out.
But we do not apprehend that the ultra
! Republicans will be able to defeat the new
constitution. 1t is true, in connection with
the wildcat bankers and swinding specu-
lators in paper money, they will make q
/ desperate effort to accomplish tho result
but amongst the honest masses there will
| grow up feeling in favor of its adoption
that will overwhelm all opposition Judg
iGg from the character of the amendments
! proposed, we predict that it will be adopted
! By an immense majority. At an early op
portunity, we shall lay the most important
portions of the new instrument before our
readers. We have no fears of the result il
| the people understand it.