The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-07-02
ILLINOIS.

The Constitutional Election To-dny-sOme OF
the Fundamental Changes Proposed.
To-day an election is being held in Illinois on
the question of adopting or rejecting the new
constitution framed by the convention recently
in session. Some of the proposed changes in
the fundamental law Of the.land are of more
than ordinary Importance as will be seen from
the following summary
THE BILL OF RIGHTS.
The Bill OF Rights provides, in addition to the pre-
eeut BILL that no person shall be denied any civil
political rights on account Of his religious opinions
th grand jures may be abolished by law, and that
no irreyoca6le grant Of special privileges shall be
ELIGIBILITY
No person convicted of bribery, perjury, or other
infamous crime is eligible to any office Of profit or
tains no provision upon the subject Members Of
the Legislature are required to that they have
not paid any brbe secure their election and that
they will not take or accept any gift bribe for any
vote or influence they may give withhold for any
oncial act. The present constitution is silent upon
APPoRTIoNMENT
The Legislative and Senatorial districts are to be
apportiohed according to population, and all coun-
ties having three-tfths of ratio are entitled to at
least one representative. Provision made against
gerrgrnanderrng No such provisions in the present
Constitution.
APPROPRIATIONS.
No appropriation is permitted in any private law,
ana bills making appropriations for the pay of any
oflce shall not contain any other provision. There
is no provision this subject in the present Consti-
tuition. No money can be drawn from the State
allowed to be diverted when once appropriated.
This is to prevent the practice or the Legislature in
the money to some other object by resolution on
which the yeas and nays are not taken
RELEASE or DEBTS DUE THE STATE.
The Legislature shall not release or extngaish the
Indebtedness, liability, obligation OF any corpora
tou or individual to the State or to any municipal
corporation therein. This is a new provision, IN
tended to provide against an existing abuse.
EXTRA CONVERSATION.
The Legislature is forbidden to grant authorize
extra compensation fee, or allowance to any public
officer, agent, Or contractor after service has been
rendered on a contract made. There is no existing
provision on the subject.
LoANING STATE CREDIT.
The State shall not loan its credit, nor in any
manner become responsible for the debts or labili-
ties of corporations or individuals No such provi-
sion in the present Constitution.
EXTENDING TERN OF OFFICE.
No law shall he passed extending the term OF any
public oficer after his election or appointment. No
similar existing provision.
MINORITY REPRESENTATION.
The State is divided into Senatorial Districts with
provision that each District elect one Senator and
three Representatives. Each voter is to he entitled
to many votes there are Representatives to be
chosen; and he may divide his votes among candi-
dates as he may see fit; that is, he may cast the
votes among the several candidates. This provision
is new, and is to be submitted separately.
SPECIAL LEGISLATION PROHIBITED
Twenty-three classes OF subjects are enumerated
upon which the General Assembly NAV not legis-
late, and to still further abridge special legislation
it is provided that no special law shall be enacted
in cases where general law can apply.
Some of the above provisions are Of the
most desirable character, and il would be well
if the people of this State could have oppor-
tunity for voting upon similar propositions,
especially those affecting legislation. Alto
gether, the proposed new constitution appears
to be an admirable one; and, judging from the
voice of the press, which seems, without dis
tinction of party, to be almost unanimous in its
favor, it is reasonably certain that it will be
adOptc0.