White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1866-03-22
Nebraska Constitution.

Nebraska SOnStltutaOMs IA
We bad thought that the trainers OF
the Ksnsas. Constitution had seized npon
all the fsg-end ideas imaginable. to rem
der the document public nuisance; but
the New Constitution of Nebraska, to be
voted upon on the % of June next. while
1t has some good features. possesses 9TH
ers which throw Kansas into the shade.
The whole affair seems to be based upon
. system of economy boiled down to
starving prices. The object seems to be
to obtain cheap public servants, which
niggardlinesss will have the effect to &C.
cure cheap talents. and cheap admins
tration of law and Justice.
There are a few good features in the
Constitution, which it would be we'll if
Kansas possessed. Representatives are
spportioned on the basissof population.
and each organized County is not entitled
to Representative, unless possessed OF
the requisite population. No extra COM
pensation can be paid to any officer, agent.
or public servant, after o contract is en-
tered into. No money can be borrowed,
or bonds issued to an amount over $780,
600, without first submitting the question
to vote OF the people. No debt can be
contracted to greater amount than $780,
900.
Here are a few provisions, which the
State will be glad to get rid OF, when
their workings are felt; but which they
will 6nd it exceedingly expensive to
change:
The Legislature is required to re ap-
portion the State for Senators and Rep
resentativss, Immediately after each State
and National enumeration of the inbsbit-
ants, which will be once in every Eve
years; and as the elections and sessions oi
the Legislature are to biennial, every al.
ternate Legislature will have an sppor-
tionment bill to pass. Thus, the party
that may be in power, one session, may
District the State in a way to retain that
power in the next; or the members OF one
Legislature may insure the election Of 6
United Senator by the next to suit them
selves, by arranging the Districts with
that view.
There is to be no Attorney General mol
Lieutsnsnt Governor and in case th'
Governors office is vacated. the Secreta
ry of State holds his own and the Gov
ernor's office until the next election.
The salary of the Governor is $1,000
q year; Secretary of State. 5000; Treas
urer, s4O0; Auditor, $500. This ma.
look like economy; but it is not mucl
inducement for competent men to TAX
the offices. when any person capable
filling them, can command double th
salary at some other occupation, and
number one ox-driver across the plain
receives better wages than either.
The Supreme Judges, strange to say
receive salary of $4,000 year; br
other matters pertaining to them. are OF
of joint. There are at present three Ju'
tices of the Supreme Court; but after tt
year 1875, the Legislature may increa.
the number. at its pleasure. Any perso
commencing snit in a District Cour
shall pay fee Of IS; or in the Supren
Court, $40; and this sum shall be take
as costs against the unsuccessful part!
This fund is to be called the Judici
fund, and out of it the District and 81
preme Judges are to receive their sslari
but the District Judges receive no otl
er salary than from fees. The Legisl
ture may provide that if any person con
mencing suit is too poor to pay the r
quired fee. it may be omitted If the
fees amount to e greater sum than is So
6cient to pay the salaries of the Judge
the Legislature may reduce the amount
the fees. For example. if there is an ul
usual number of suits in one year, so th
the fees amount to greater sum than
required for the Judicial fund, the Legi
Lature may provide for smaller fees; al
then If, the next year, there are few or
suits, the Judicial fund will come o
slim To cap the climax. there Is l
prohibition against Supreme or Distri
Judges prscticing their profession ss I
torusys; so that they may frequently
called upon to sit on cases in which th
had been professionally employed!
Finally. if any portion Of the Cons
tuition is found not to work satisfactory
there Is no provision for making
slightest amendment without the trout
and expense of holding . Constitution
Convention; and the question Of holdi
Convention must first be submitted
vote of the people. at an election
members Of the Legislature, which is b
only once in two years.
~ We caution our readers, that
they invest in any Of the Gift Entsrpri
L al sk.