Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-08-13
The Er opposed New Constitution of the
state of Missouri,

The Pr opposed New Constitution of the
state of Missouri.
The constitutional convention of the state
of Missouri has completed its work and
submitted TO the people the draft of new
constitution 10 be voted upon on the Both
of October next, and, if adopted, to so into
e"cct one month thereafter 1t is a very
remarkable instrument, going far beyond
any state constitution at present in force,
in its restrictions upon the lowers Of the
legisl AZURE and all the state officials. The
provi sions relative TO legislation, which Sc
cure del Iteration and prevent the omnibus
triokery now so common in congress and
many state legislatures, are simply admir-
able. The attention of the whole people
ought 10 be called to this regulation of the
methods of legislation, TO the end that the
national constitution may soon be so
amended as TO prevent the disgraceful and
prodigal appropriation of the peoples mon
ey and the passage of obnoxious bills, now
invariably occurring at the end of every
session of congress. We reprint from the
st. Louis Republican a synopsis of some
of the most important features of this pro-
posed constitution:
The articles on legislative proceedings
prescribes system of rules which render
mob legislation, such rs is usually Witness
ed at the end of the session of the general
assembly, no less than fraud and deception
SO frequently practised upon legislative
bodies, simply impossible. From the in
PRODUCTION of bill TO its final authentica-
ton, each step is guarded by publicity and
elaboration. Each bill must be read on
three different days, in each house; and
the rule cannot be suspended. Every
amendment must be incorporated with the
bill, and the bill thus amended printed be-
fore final action. The motion to reconsider
the vote by which bill was lost in its final
passage, the modern substitute for the ex-
Ploded omnibus swindle of former days,
must be disposed of at once, and is thus
rendered harmless. The final authentica-
ton of the act by the presiding officer must
be done in open session, after the act has
been read as enrolled to the body over
which he presides. No omission, insertion
or substitution of one expression, word or
phrase for another is thus possible without
detection. Finally The governors veto can
only be overcome by a two-thirds vote of
the two houses.
The next article treats of Limitation upon
legislative power. Under this no appro-
priation can be made until certain items
are provided for. These are the interest
upon the public debt, the sinking fund,
the public schools, the pay of public officers
and the provision for the public charities,
In the order here named. After this the
general assembly may provide for its own
pay and appropriate any balance left 10
such purposes as it may deem proper,
provided that purpose is not prohibited.
But they are prohibited from either giving
or lending the credit of the state, or the
money of the people, or anything of value
to anybody whatsoever, nor can they au-
thorize any subordinate authority, such as
acounty court or municipal government,
to do so. They are further prohibited from
RENTING any claim which the public may
have, or authorizing any subordinate au-
thority to do SO. Neither can they give
any extra pay, fec or allowance to SER
want, agent or contractor for work done,
nor authorize county courts or municipal
tiles to do so. All contracts not in strict
accordance with the law are null and void.
They are further prohibited from making
any appropriation to pay the war claim
certificates; and, finally, they cannot add
one cent to the public debt unless they
submit the act to vote of the people and
1t is ratified by them by two-thIrd major
ity.
Revenue and taxation is the next article,
and here further and most important linn
itations are imposed. The power of taxa
tion, hitherto so grossly abused, is limited.
1t is limited in the hands of the general
assembly, and limited in the hands OF
every subordinate authority-county, city,
school district-to which 1t may be or has
been delegated. Nay, the people them
selves, short of a unanimous VOTE are lin
tied in their power of taxing each other
No two-thirds or three-fourths, or any other
majority short of entire unanimity, can
impose a tax for speculative purposes. The
same Limitation is applied to the creation
of local debt.
All these provisions are new aud of the
most salutary character. In their combln-
cd effect they change the whole operation,
ifnot nature, of our government-from an
instrument for speculation, always initial
ed in the name OF the welfare of the people,
but invariably conducted for the benefit OF
the few, into an instrument for the protec-
ton of life and property of all alike. All
power is withdrawn that is not essential
for this purpose-withdrawn from the gov
eminent and left in the hands of the people.
From the day that the people of Missouri
pronounce by their votes this the law for
their law-giyers. this the rule for their
rulers, private property will have value
in the state of Missouri which ii has IN no
other state. For here alone will it be pro-
tected against cOniiscslion by an unlimited
power of taxation.