The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-08-18
THE MISSOURI CONSTITUTION


We have been accustomed to regard
Missouri as the seat of the worst kind of
Bourbonism, and certainly the class of
men they have elected to office and the
general character of their legislation has
seemed to justify the belief. So when il
was proposed to amend the constitution of
the state, and a large majority of demo-
Gratis were elected to q convention called
for that purpose, we had every reason to
expect that their work would be of kind
little fitted to the present day, of reac-
tionary rather than Of progressive char
acter, but the convention, having closed its
labors, have happily disappointed the coun-
try aud presented constitution which in
many, if not all, respects might well serve
as a model to other states. Before pro-
cecding to give brief summary of this in
strument, we will refer to one of its pro-
visions which must have disappointed the
hopes of many who were clamorous for the
convention. For some time prior to the
calling thereof, certain ring, aided by
state officials, were industriously engaged
in purchasing what were called "war
" claims" against the state, and received
state certificates of indebtedness therefor,
but as these were of doubtful legality a
constitutional convention was urged that
they might be recognized as valid debts
and provision made for their payment, ind
1t was on this account, mainly, that the re-
publicans opposed the calling of the con-
vention. But 1t was called and the pro-
posed constitution prohibits the legislature
from ever paying these debts unless money
is first received from the United States for
that purpose.
1t is rarely that a state is indebted to a
corrupt ring for great benefits, but in this
instance the clamors of the ring induced
the calling Of the convention, the defeat of
their corrupt scheme thereby, and the
framing of an excellent constitution. The
usual distinctions between the legislative,
executive and judicial departments are, of
course, preserved. The legislature is to
consist of a senate based strictly on popu-
representative in the lower branch without
regard to population, with further pro-
vision for twelve more representatives to
be apportioned to the most populous coun-
ties. The legislature is required to meet
once in two years but is prohibited from
holding adjourned sessions, thus saving to
the state large expense, as it is estimated
that adjourned sessions have cost, in ten
years, some nine hundred thousand dollars
SPECIAL and local legislation is prohibited,
and the further contracting of state debts,
except to the amount of two hundred and
fifty thousand dollars in emergencies men
toned, is prohibited without an express
vote of the people. Provision is also made
limiting the length of sessions, pay OF mem
bers, etc.
noticeable feature of the proposed
constitution, and one showing the marked
advance in public sentiment in the country,
and especially among the benighted-as we
have been wont to regard them-B Bourbon
democrats of Missouri, is the striking out
of the word "whte" in the qualification
fol governor-and. if we remember cor
rectly, the word: "whlte" is only
used in the present constitution in
connection with this Office. So now a
black man can be governor, even in Mis-.
souri-and there is progress for you. The
term of Office Of the executive Is extended
to four years and mnjority of two-thirds
of the legislature, instead of a bare major
lty as before, is required to override his
veto. He may, also, veto one or more of
the items of an appropriation bill while sp-
proving of the renal ader. The terms of
the supreme court are to be held only at
the seat of government instead of being
perambulatory as was formerly the case
in Missouri and is now practiced in Yer
mont; and 10 relieve the court of an undue
amount OF business and litigants OF annoy
Ing and ruinous delays, an inferior court
of appeals is established to be held in ST.
Louis.
The maintenance of public schools for
the free instruction Of children between
the ages OF six and twenty years is re-
quired. The state moneys are to deposited