The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1871-01-19

|
as-In sending money, state rHE POST OFFICE t.
which the paper is sent.-GH
PROPOSED REVISION OF THE CONSTI-
TUITION OF MAINE.
Fifty years have passed since the Constitu
ton of this State was adopted The lapse o
half a century with its changes, improve
ments, creation Of new wants, altered man
ners of living and of business habits and as
who give this and kindred subjects their at.
ton, created the necessity for a sitting anC
re-agranging Of The fundamental law of the
State. The Bill of Rights and the form OF
government embodying great principles that
are immutable, no one viii care to disturb
They can scarcely be bettered, in their ex-
preston 0, the plan OF self government, and
the protection OF the rights OF the people
But in many other portions Of the Consti-
tuition the need of addition, expurgation. OF
an entire change Of provision, is very appar-
ent The Constitutions of New Hampshire,
Vermont, Massachusetts, and in fact of near
! y I
visions OF the instrument at stated periods
a provision that is not found in the Constitu-
ton OF Maine.
| Senator Morris, of Cumberland last week
introduced a resolve for the amendment of the
Constitution in very many important partcu-
lars. Indeed, SO sweeping are the changes
proposed by him, that they amount to a re-
modelling OF almost the whole instrument.
While the need of some of the alterations
proposed Is sufficiently apparent, there are
others which call for a careful and deliberate
consideration before sanction of them rs 4
portion of the instrument should be given,
The whole of the matter proposed 10y Mr..
| Morris is as follows
AMENDMENTS.
Resolved Two thirds of both Houses concurring.
the constitution of this State which shall become
part thereof when approved and adopted in the
manner provided by the constitution, viz,
ARTICLE Is.
Section II, Of article one of the constitution of
this State shall be amended by inserting after tbe
word contracts in the second line as follows or
making any irrcvocable grant or special privileges
or iElmunties. Section ofartice shall be amend
ed by adding at the end thereof the following pro-
visions. every bill shall be read at large on three
different days in each house, and the bill and all
amendments thereto shall be printed before the vote
Is taken on its final passage, The vote shall be by
yeas and nays ON each bill separately, and no bin
shall become a law without the concurrence of a
majority of the members elected to each House: no
bin hereafter passed shall embrace more than one
subject and that shall be expressed in the title and
no law shall be revived or amended by reference to
its title only, but the law revived or the section
amended shall be inserted at length in the new act
ARTICLE H.
Section l. The members of the Legislature shall
receive for their services the sum of one hundred
and fifty dollars for the first year after the aCoptjon
OF this amendment and ten cents for each mile nee
essary Travelled in going to and returning from the
seat OF government and thereafter such compensa-
ton AS shall be prescribed by law, and other al
| lowance or emolument directly or indirectly for
any purpose whatever, except the sum of $50 Der
annum to each member, which shall be in full for
postage, stationery, newspapers and all other incl
dental expenses and perquistes. But no change
shall be made in the compensation of members Of
the Legislature during the term for which they NAV
have been elected. The pay and mileage allowed
to each member OF the Legislature shall be certified
by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of
the House of their respective branches, and entered
on the Journals and published at the close of the
session.
Section . The Legislature shall never grant or
authorize extra compensation, fee allowance to
any public officer agent, contractor after
service has been rendered or Il contract made nor
authorize the payment of any claim part thereof
hereafter created against the State under any agree
ment or contract made without express authority
of law.
And all such unauthorized agreements or con-
tracts shall be null and void. Provided the Legis-
lature may make appropriations for expenditures
incurred IN suppresslng Instruction or repclling
invasion.
Section 3. The Legislature Shall provide, by
law, that the fuel and stationary furnished for the
use of the State the printing and binding the laws
and all nt1,n
Legislature, with the material for the same Shall
be let by contract to the lowest responsible bidder
! but the Legislature shall fix maximum price, and
! no member thereof or other officer of this State
shall be directly indirectly interested in such
contract, but all such contracts shall be subject to
the approval Of the Governor and Council, and if
disproved by them shall be re-let in such manner
| as shall be prescribed by law.
Section 4. No teacher, State, County, town or
district school officer shall be interested in the sale
proceeds or profits of any book, apparatus or FUR
niture, used or to be used, in any school in this
State, with which such officers or teachers NAV be
connected under such penalties as may be provided
| by the Legislature.
| Section s. The Legislature shall have no power
to authorize lotteries or gift enterprises, for any
purpose and shall pass laws to prohibit the sale of
lottery or gift enterprise tickets in this State
| Section 6. The Legislature shall not pass local
or special laws in any Of the following enumerated
cases viz: for
| Granting divorces;
| Changing the names of persons or places;
Laying out opening, altering and making roads
| and highways;
vacating roads, town plats, streets, alleys and
public grounds;
| Locating or changing county seats;
| Regulating county and township affairs;
Regulating the practice in courts of justice;
Regulating the jurisdiction and duties of Justices
| Of the Peace, Police, Magistrates and Constables ;
Providing for change of venue in civil and Grim
| inal cases;
incorporating cities, towns or villages, or chang
| ing or amending the charter of any city, town or
| Villages
Summoning and mpanneing grand and petit
jnres;
Providing for the management of common
schools
Regulating the rate of interest on money;
The opening and conducting of any elections or
designating the place of voting;
| The sale of mortgage real estate belonging to
minors or others under disability;
The protection of game or fish;
Chartering or licensing ferries or toll bridges;
| Renting fines, penalties, or forfeitures;
Creating, increasing or decreasing fees, percent
age or allowance of public officers during the
terms for which said officers are elected or appoint
ed;
| Changing the law of descent;
Granting to any corporation, association or nd-