Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1870-07-21
TFrom the Chicago Post.l
The New Illinois Constitution.

| Constitution to live under. We have
had 20 adequate power since we become
State, to regulate the government of
counties and cities, to control railroads,
or restrain the Legislature, except by
the approval or condemnation irregularly
expressed in popular election. The re-
curing ballot.box has been about our
only fundamental law. The sso-called
Constitution was long ago worn out, and
left dead letter on the books.
The Bill of Rights provides, in addi-
ton to the usual restrictions and limita
tons, that no person shall be denied civil
or political rights on account of religious
opinion; and that no grant Of special
privileges by the Legislature shall be con-
sidered irrevocable. Some of the most
important of the new provisions are
summarized thus:
Eligibility No felon is eligible to
office. Members of the Legislature
must take an " iron clad OATH" swearing
that they have not paid any bribe to Sc
cure election, and that they will not ac-
cept bribe for any vote.
Apportionment.-The members of
the Senate and Assembly shall be ap.
portioned once in ten years according to
popuation-the Senate TO consist of 81
members and the House l53 members.
All counties having three fifths of ra-
ito are entitled to at least one Represen-
tative. Provision is made against GER
rymandering.
appropriations. No appropriation is
permitted in any private law; and bills
making appropriations for the pay of
any office shall not contain any other
provision No money can be drawn
from the State treasury except in pursu
ance of law; and no money allowed to
be diverted when once appropriated.
Debts Due the iState.-The Legisla.
ture shall not release, remit, or extin-
guish the Indebtedness or obligation of
any corporation or individual to the
State or to any municipal corporation
therein. The existing abuse which this
discontinues is well known.
Extra Compensation.-The Legisa-
ture shall not grant extra compensation
in any form TO any public officer, agent
or contractor, after service has been rem
dered on contract made. This will
prevent good deal Of generosity with
the funds of the State.
Special Legislation.--The Legisla-
ture shall not pass any local or special
laws relative to railroad charters, roads,
ferries, cities or towns, manufactures, di-
vofces, county seats, common schools, or
any other case "where general law
can be made applicable" This will ulti-
mately save millions of dollars to the
State. if conscentiously enforced.
estate Aid"-The State shall moi
loan its credit, nor in any way become
responsible for the debts or liabilities of
individuals or corporations.
The Veto--Two thirds of all the
members elected to the Legislature are
necessary to pass bill over the Govern
or's veto. This is the Congressional rule
but only majority are required under
existing laws in this State.
Supreme Court The Judges Of the
State Supreme Court are increased from
three to seven. Their salaries are in
creased from 81, 200 to $4,000, and the
Circuit Judges from $1,000 to $4,000.
No fees or perquisities allowed.
Revenue. general Assembly
shall have no power to release or dis
charge any county, city, township, town,
or district whatever, or the inhabitants
thereof, or the property therein, from
their or its proportionate share Of taxes TO
be levied for State purposes. nor shall
Communication for such taxes be author
lied in any form whatsoever"
County Ta1es County authorities
shall never assess taxes the aggregate of
which shall exceed IS cents for each
500 valuation, unless authorized by a
vote of the people of tie county. No
city, county, township, school district, or
other municipal corporation, shall be al
lowed to incur Indebtedness for any pur-
pose to an amount, including existing
debts, exceeding per cent. on the val
ne of the taxable property therein, the
value to be ascertained by the previous
assessment for State and county taxes.
County Officers The clerks of all
courts of record, the treasurer, sheriff.
coroner, and recorder of deeds of Cook
county, hereafter elected, shall receive
salaries to be fixed by law, which shall
in no case be rs great as the compensa-
ton Of Judge of the Circuit Court;
and al fees and emoluments in excess Of
that sum shall be paid into the county
trea ury. a
Legislative Fay.-The pay of the
members of the Legislature to be fixed
by law, after the first session, and no
Legislature can change such compensa-
ton except for future Legislatures. All
allowances for stationery, newspapers,
and other perquisitics shall be limited 10
$50 for each member,
The Rights of Stockholders. The
General Assembly shall provide by law
that in all elections for directors or man.
ayers of incorporated companies, every
stakeholder may vote in person or by
proxy for the number Of shares be holds
for as many persons as there are direc.
tors to be elected, and may concentrate
the whole number on any one candidate
or distribute them as he thinks fit.
The Rights of the Public. The rol.