The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-05-08

present Constitution. There are some changes of
arrangement and phraseology, but its essential feat
IL new.
ARTICLE XVI.
MILITIA.
Section 1. The militia shall be composed of
all able bodied male citizens between the ages
of eighteen ana forty-fve years, except such
az are exempted by the laws OF the United
States or of this State: but all such citizens
of any religious denomination whatever, who
from scruples Of conscience may be averse to
bearing arms, shall be excused therefrom
upon such conditions as shall be prescribed
by law.
Sec 2. The Legislature shall provide by
law for organizing. equipping and disciplin-
ing the militia, III such manner as it shall
deem expedient, not incompatible with the
laws of the United States.
Sec. 3. Officers of the militia shall be elect
ed or appointed, and be commissioned in
such manner as may be pro vided by law.
NoTE.-This article is unchanged. 1t stands in
the present Constitution as article XVII.
ARTICLE XVII.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
Section /. Members Of the Legislature, and
all officers. executive and judicial. shall, be-
fore they enter on the duties their respect
i've offices. take and subscribe the following
oath or affirmation: 81 do solemnly swear
Cor affirm that will support the Constitu.
ton of the United States. and the Constitu-
ton of this State, and that Twill faithfully dis
charge the duties of the Office of --, ac-
cording to the best of my ability"
Sec. 2. Judicial and legislative proceedings
shall be conducted, and the laws and public
records promulgated and preserved, In the
English language.
Sec. B. Public officers, receiving or having
charge of public moneys, are prohibited from
Nls.xs,r
for their private use or benefit, and whenever
any public funds are loaned or deposited the
interest or other consideration received there
for shall be paid over to the general fund of
the State, county, municipality, corporation
or board to which such funds belong.
Sec. 4. The Legislature may authorize the
taxing of private property for the opening of
private roads, for use in the Improvement of
navigable streams, and for howage when L.
public interests demand it.
Sec. 5. Before any private property shall be
taken without the consent Of the owner, for
public use Except for public highways not
within any city or vllago), or for any purpose
named in the last above section, the necessity
for taking such property, and the compensa-
ton to be paid therefor, shall be determined
by jury of freeholders of the vicinity, or by
not less than three commissioners, freehold
ers as aforesaid, appointed by court Of rec
ord as may be provided by law, and such
such manner as shall be prescribed by law.
Sec. 6. The right of the public or of any
individual to the free use of any navigable
stream for any purpose for which such stream
is capable of use, without improvement, shall
not be abridged or obstructed by or under
color of any authority which may be given by
law to any individual or corporation to i'm
prove such stream and charge toll for the use
Of such Improvement.
Sec. Z. No navigable stream in this State
shall be either bridged CT damned without
authority from the board CT supervisors of
the proper county, under the provisions of
law. No such law shall prejudice the right of
individuals to the free navigation of such
streams, or preclude the State from the fur
Their improvement of the navigation of such
streams.
Sec. 8. An accurate statement of the receipts
and expenditures of the public moneys shall
be attached to and published with the laws, at
every regular session of the Legislature.
Sec. Q. No mechanical trade shall hereafter
be taught to convicts in the State Prison of
this State, except the manufacture of those
articles of which the chief supply for home
consumption is imported from other States OF
countries
Sec. 10. Any woman above the age of TWEEN
tv-one years, who shall be q resident of this
State ard of the proper county, township
city, or ward, and who is citizen of the
United States. shall be eligible to the Office OF
Register of Deeds, Notary Public offices con
nected with schools and libraries, and to such
other offices az may be designated by law.
Sec. ii. No lease or grant hereafter of agri
cultural land for longer period than twelv,
years, roserving any rent or service of an,
kind, shall be valid
| NoTE.-This article stands az article XVIII. Of
the present Constitution. Sections 3, 6, and 10
| are new. Section il compounded from section
aud IA of article XVIII. and section Is of articl
XIV. of the present Constitution. That part of sec
ton after the words private roads, is new tn
| first part Of the section being taken from sectio
Ia of article XVIII. Section IL, article XVIII, O
| present Constitution, prohibiting a general re
vision OF the laws, IL omitted from the amende
article. Sections Z. 8. Q, 10. IL, 49, and the fire
clause OF section IA, are transferred to the Bill
| Rights.
ARTICLE XVIII.
AMENDMENT AND REVISION OF THE coNsTITU
| TON.
Section 1. Any amendment or amendment
to this Constitution may be proposed in tn
| Senate or House of Representatives. III thu
same be agreed to by two-thirds Of the mem
bers elected to each house. such amendmen
or amendments shall be entered on then
journals respectively, with the yeas ana nay
taken thereon, and the same shall DC SUP
United to the electors at such time as tn'
Legislature shall prescribe. And II maJ1r l
of the electors, qualified to vote Tor ine,noor,
of the Legislature voting on the ainenu, M, o,,
or amendmonts nroposed shall ratify and APP
proye such amendment or amendments, tine
same shall become part OF the Cons.i.u W ~,
and take effect at the commencement vi 'h'
year following it's adoption. A.. l., =,
Sec. 2. At any time after the nrst cay ol
January one thousand eight hundres anc
| eirhty-fve the Legislature may PROVIDE LOT !
convention, to BIO chosen by the qualified