Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-08-31
The Constitutional amendments,

Al the State election on September 18Th, the
people OF Maine are TO give IN their votes ON nine
amendments TO our state Constitution proposed
10y the last Legislature, and recommended by the
Constitutional Commis ion consisting OF Messrs.
George r. Talbot of Portland. William i. llaines
of BiddefoId, Washington Gilbert OF Bath, William
Ia kmball of Paris, Artemus Libbey of Augusta,
n. T.. Robins Of Wateryillr, j. {. Madigan Of
Houlton, Edward Kent Of Bangor, W. NJ. Rust OF
belfast aud J. \. Pike Of Calais. These amend.
menis present the following questions for the con-
sheraton Of the people OF Maine:-
l. shall the Constitution be amended so that
Senator's shall be elected 10y plurality vote, in
stead Of majority:
As representatives 10 the Legislature are elected
by plurality, the commission and Legislature
thought there Is no reason why senators should
not be similarly chosen.
, Shall corporations other than municipal be
formed in all cases where practicable under, and
always be subject to general laws 10 be enacted
10y the Legislature, instead OF being formed by
special acts OF legislation.
This amendment Is intended 10 avoid the evils
of private ana special OSCILLATION Whllh las BiNan
rise 10 the corrupt lobby system' Under this
amendment the time OF the Legislature will not
Ice taken up IN granting charters, and no especial
aue irrcpealablc privileges or exemption can be
given any individual OF corporation.
81. shall the ltrdonins l!GWfT t. - modified
NJ 10 give the power OF AN wing conditions to par.
,lons aud De- limited ~ - to require an annual
report % the Legislature of the cases aud reasons
The adoption OF the proposed amendment would
make this provision Ike the recent constitutional
amendment adoi tcd IN New togL.
a snail Judge, OF police aud municipal 90 trls
be appointed by the governor and council Instead
Ofbeing elective
). Shall taxes upon porssHDi estate, assessed
by authorit: OF the STATE, be- appOrtiOne,l aud as
ses-ed equally accordin. 10 the just value thereof
as the constellation ol TINS state Ia. hcEptolUt
prov idcd IN The case OF only lfd! estate
This amendment providing for equal taxation.
extends the same principle 10 the taxation OF per
sosal c-tatc has heretofore existed n reference
to real estate. should the amendment b. adopted
10 will bc out of the power OF the legislature 10
exempt from tan Nation the personal estate pf ans
Individual OF corporation a. u " noa Gus oftheir
power To exempt real estate. ndcr The old pro,
VISION of our constitution, which relates only 10
real estate, The supreme Court has said that the
legislature may exempt anN class OF real estate
~ for example, all The churches IN the state o.
all the iarns, but not church here and there OF
q farm, all here and llvro. u 10 now pro
posed 90 have tie same rule apply TO person a
property.
o.. shall The ONCE OF Land Agent be abolished
:. Shall the legislature, by u two thirds vote.
have the power OF Ealing constitutional cOnVen-
: Shall the legislature have the power Of ex.
GLIDING uV law, ior term not exceeding ten years
sll person, convicted Of bribery 10 any election
or Of voting al aEy viecion under lhc lnnaence oi
bviOe.
.. Shall the Chief Justice arrange aud codif,
the constitution n amended, and submit the same
10 the next legislature, and such codhed constitu.
ton by the supreme law Of the lani when approx
cd by the legislature
IN accordance with the provisions OF the resoly c
providing Tor the admission VI thtsS aMeGdIneu
20 the voters, the Secretary OF state has caused
ballots to be forwarded 10 municipal officers IN the
fJllONIus form
For all tile propositions on this ballot which are
not cancelled with ink or pencil, and against all
which are 80 cancelled.
For The propO- led smcndmont IL relation % III.
cotton Of Senators by plurality vote.
For the proposed amendment relating 10 Speci.
al Legislation and Corporations.
fOr the proposed amendment In relation 10
Power OF Governor 10 pardon.
POr the proposed amendment In relation 10 Ap'
p0inimonl VI Judges OF Municipal and Police
Courts.
For the proposed amendment in relation 10 Tax
alton.
For the proposed amendment in relation TO AbOl-
lshlug Land Agency.
For the proposed amendment In relation to Con
stitutioual Conventions.
For the proposed amendment in relation TO Bri.
berry AZ Elections.
FOR the proposed amendment in relation TO Cod
ihcStiOn Of the Amended Constitution.
All voters who favor each OF the nine amend.
ments viii give expression 20 their Views by cast.
ing the ballot as above printed. ANY one who
desires " vote against any one OF more Ui the pro-
posed amendments, viii give expression 10 his
views by crasing or drawing line with pen Or
pencil across the amendment or amendments a
printed ON his ballot, aud then casting u IN that
form. For example, II n voter desires 10 oppose
the proposed amendment Ia relation 10 elections
Of senators by plurality vote, and layors all the
other amendments, he will draw 4 line across the
fret Of the nine specific propositions on his ballot.
And IN the same manner he may give expires ion
to his opposition TO either OF the other proposed
amendments.
So far a there has been an expression Of opin-
ion ihus far, there seems 10 be general feeling IN
favor OF ratifying all the amendments proposed
LelctstOH journal.