The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1867-08-29
The Michigan Constitution.

After session of fourteen weeks, u,
: Constitutional Convention OF Michigan ba
gcoyopieted its labors and adjourned. Til,
/ ,stitution will be submitted to ths
new Con- ..G"ation or rejection. in
people Tor their raLIA~. ----
the fall election. One of the most inpoa
tant changes proposed is i'll the article %
the elective franchise which strikes LIE
word "white" from the qualifying clauses
The people of Michigan will thus decide at
the ballot-box whether universal suffrage
shall or shall not be engrafted on the funda-
damental law of the State. The Senate will
be increased to thirty-three members, and
the Sentorial term of four years There Will
be ITO Representatives elected Tor two years.
Every two or more counties having 4,O0O
inhabitants is entitled to representation. A
census will be taken every ten years, the
first one in 1875. The compensation OF
members of the Legislature is fixed at four
dollars day. Fifteen dollars are allowed
for stationary, postage, &c, ten dollars more
than is allowed under the present law. The
President of the Senate and Speaker of the
House are entitled to six dollars day. The
prohibition of money for religious sects is
extended to schools under UNCONVENTIONAL
control. Cities and townships can be en-
powered to aid the construction of railroads
to the amount of ten per cent of the assess
ed valuation Of the city or town property.
Such tax, however, must be approved by
majority of the electors.
| The Governors salary is increased from
81, 900 to So, 900; that OF the Secretary of
State, Commissioner of Land Office and At
torney General, from $500 to $4,000; State
Treasurer and Superintendent of Public In
struction from $1,000 to $4,000. The Audi
tor General receives $4,000, and the Judges
of the Supreme and Circuit Courts $4,000.
These salaries may be changed by two
thirds vote of the Legislature The article
on impeachment provides that no officer
shall mold his Office after impeachment IS di.
rected until he is acquitted. The Supreme
Court is to be composed of five Judges Gan
increase of one), to serve ten years instead
of eight; the Judge having the shortest
term to be Chief Justice. The number of
Circuit Courts is increased from eight years.
Every law hereafter creating a debt must
provide for a sinking fund to pay the same.
The ship canal Sault St. Marie is excepted
from the clause forhiddiug the State to be
interested in any public improvement Most
ample provisions for education are secured.
Fhe enlargement of the franchises of COR
poration requires two.thirds vote of each
douse, and the stockholders of all corpora
tlons are made liable for all labor performed
while they hold stock In exemptions from
seizures under legal executions, the amount
in the homestead, dwelling house and appur-
tenances is raised from fifteen to twenty
five hundred dollars; and the benefits are
extended to those owning houses on lands
which do not belong to them. The home
stead Of widow or deserted wife is exempt
ed from the payment of the debts OF the
husband, SO long as the widow has no other
husband, and during the minority of the
children, or while the deserted wife shall
occupy said homestead The question of an
nual or biennial sessions of the Legisla-
ture, and of the enactment of probib-
tory liquor law,are submitted separately to
the people.