The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-08-28
SPIRIT or THE PRESS.
EDITORIAL OPINIONS OF THE LEADING JOURNALS
uroN CURRENT ToPTos-CoMPmED EVERY
DAY FOR THR EVENING TELEGRAPH.
Miohigan,s New Constitution.

finished its labors and adjourned. The new
Constitution affrms that all power of govern
nent is inherent in the people. Freedom of
conscience, of speech, and of the press is
secured, and in cases of libel, 'ff it shall
onpear to the jury that the matter charged as
libelous is true, and was published with good
,,,o,;ves. and for iustfable ends, the party
sboIl be acquitted" Jury trials may be
,Toived in civil cases unless demanded by one
marty. the Legislature may authorize trials by
miles of less than twelve; any suitor may
yy,roseoute or defend in person in any Court
f,nnrisonment for debt is forbidden, except in
case of fraud or breach of trust, or of promise
10 marry, or of moneys collected by public
officers or in any prOtessl0nal employment.
Slavery is outlawed.
The elective franchise is restricted to per-
SONS of twenty-one years of age, having three
months residence in the State and ten days
in the district. Duelling disqualifies from
holding office or voting.
The Senate has thirty-two members, but
after 1870 may have thirty-three-one extra
for the Thirty second District (Detroit). They
hold for four years, half being chosen each
second year. Counties cannot be divided
unless entitled to more than one Senator. The
House shall have not more than 10 members,
chosen by single districts for two years.
After the first fifty days of session no new
bill shall be heard save by a two-thirds vote
of all the members elected The veto is in the
usual way save that all bills not signed
within five days after adjournment shall be
void. A clear majority of each House is re-
ouired to enact law, and two-thirds where
money is appropriated. A State paper shall
be established; Circuit Courts appoint County
Judges Supreme and Probate judges are
elected-the Governor fills vacancies. Two
thirds OF each House may demand the opinion
Of the Supreme Court upon points OF consti-
tutional law.
The elective officers are Secretary of State,
a State Treasurer, Commissioner OF the State
Land Office, a Superintendent of Public In
struction, an Auditor General and an Attor
ney.General. for the term of two years, each
of whom shall keep his Office at the seat of
government The term of office begins
January 1, 1869, and every second year there
after. The Governors salary is $4,000 per
year; Supreme Judges the same, without fees
or perquisites.
The article on 'Finance and Taxation" pre-
sents no novelties, save that the State is for
bidden to take shares in public improvements,
except in disposing of grants made to the State
of land or other public property. The Sault
Ste Marie Canal is an exception. All assess
ments are hereafter to be on the cash value of
the property taxed. A board of equalization
of tax is provided for. The State shall not
The militia is regulated after the usual plan.
Private corporations for railroads. banks,
manufacturing, ETC., shall be raised under
general laws, and no special charter shall issue
except by assent of two othirds of each House.
Individual liability is provided for where
currency is issued, and stockholders are in
diyiduaily liable for labor on behalf of their
corporation. Personal property, to the amount
of $500, is exempt from levy; homestead of
forty acres dwellings, etc, not valued over
$2500, is exempt from sale for debt, and such
property is secured to widow or deserted
wife as long as she has no other home of her
own. 'The real and personal estate of every
woman acquired before marriage, and the pro-
perty to which she may afterwards become
entitled, by gift, grant, inheritance, or devise,
shall be and remain the estate and property
of such woman, and shall not be liable for the
debts, obligations, or engagements OF hel
husband, and may be devised, bequeathed
and alienated by her, as if she were un
married"
mo money shall be appropriated or drawn
gious sect society, theological or religion
Seminary, schools under denominations
control, nor shall property belonging to tn
State be appropriated for any such purposes
Each House of the Legislature shall provide 70
religious exercises at the opening OF its dali.
sessions.
These are the chief provisions in the drai
of the Constitution before .-us. The matter c
prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors
to be submitted separately to the people, an
t endorsed at the polls will become thence
Onward part of the organic law. The forI
of this section is as follows:-
cat the election, at the same time when tn
votes of the electors shall be taken for the adol
tion or rejection of this Constitution, an add
tional section, numbered - In the words 70
Iowing:-'The Legislature shall not pass an
act authorizing the grant of license for the sal
shall by law prohibit the sale of the same as
beverage shall be separately submitted to th
electors of this State. for their adoption or r
lection, in form following, TO witt
"a separator ballot may be given by every persC
having the right vote for the revised Constitutlo
TO be deposited in a separate box Upon the ballo
given for said separate section shall be written
words, PrOhibition-Ye es and upon the ballots give
against the adoption Of the said section In like ma
inserted in said article the said additional section,
be numbered - in said article"
Some attempts were made to amend it, bI
it passed as above.
The changes in the new Constitution a.
few, but are all in the way Of progress. I'll
rum prohibition is the most important; tn
prohibiting the giving of public money f
sectarian purposes is noteworthy, as is II
voting OF taxes upon the cash value of or
perty, instead OF upon the whims of ignora
or prejudiced assessors. bold struggle W
made to secure female suffrage, and il vi
carried in committee, but voted down. Allie
are placed on a favorable footing with a vi,
TO encourage immigration. The system
choosing officers is not materially chance
The new Constitution will be voted upon
November, we believe.
Tha Maritime Rights OF NeutraIs
Time or War.