Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-05-26
THE RUTLANn HERALD.
THURSDAY MAY 10, 1870.
The New Illinois Constitution.

AS Vermont is about to consider in
Constitutional Convention proposed
amendments to the State Constitution,
and the minds of the people are directed
10 these subjects, it may not be uninter-
osting or Improbable to look at some of
the features of the new Constitution of
the State of Illinois, which is soon to be
voted upon by the people of that COM
mouwealth
One OF the articles Of the new Illinois
Constitution, which is to be voted upon
separately, provides for the establishment
Of Mr.. Buokalew's system of minority re-
presentation by means of cumulative
voting, in the election of members of the
consist of ffty-one senator's, the House to
be three times as large, and all are to hold
Office for two years. There are no chang
cs particularly worthy of note in the exc
rutive or judicial departments, except
that the number of judges of the supreme
court is increased, and the general as
sembly is authorized to establish court
Of appeals after 1874, if deemed expedi-
eut. The prohibition Of special legis-
lation of all kinds is very strict, showing
that a msnful attempt has been made, at
least, 10 head off the lobby.
The other more notable parts of the
new instrument are those relating to rev.
enuo and expenditure, aud state and mu-
nicipal taxation. The State Treasurer is
made ineligible for any two successive
terms, and the credit of the State cannot
be pledged beyond the amount of $780,
900 without the express consent Of the
people has been first obtained by vote, ex-
cept in case of invasion or insurrection.
The debts of counties, cities and towns
are limited to five per cent. of the taxable
property therein, and It is prov .ded hat
"the State shall never pay, assume, or be-
come responsible for the debts or liabili-
ties of, or in any manner give, loan, or ex-
tend its credit TO, or in aid of, any public
OF other corporation, association or iudi-
viduaLp The same prohibition il extend
ed to municipalities though it is to be the
subject of a separate vote, and shows that
the trainers of the constitution were not
unaware of the winning way that railroad
schemes have for getting money out of
the public purse.
There are also provisions relating to
schools, declaring that no money or other
donation shall ever be made in aid of any
school or college controlled by any church
or sectarian body; and that no teacher or
school officer shall be interested in the
sale Of any book, apparatus or furniture
for schools Railroads in the State are
declared public highways, subject to such
legislation as may be provided by law,
and the general assembly is to pass laws
establishing the maximum rates for
freight and passengers. There are other
stringent provisions about railroads in
general, and the long entertained fear
that the Illinois Central Company will
some time get the best of the State in the
iealings that the two have had, is shown
BY an article declaring that the States
contracts with the Illinois Central shall
never be released or changed. The ques-
ton of adopting the constitution will be
voted on the first Saturday of July.