Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-05-16
CALIFORNIA; New Constitution.


many of the objects usually regula-
ted by Legislative enactment. In
this it is in marked contrast with the
Constitution of the United States,
which we believe should be the model
after which all such documents are
framed, and provides in detail, re-
strictions, checks and counter checks
for which ordinarily authority is vest
ed in the law-making power by gen.
eral terms and subject to such modif-
cations as experience and the public
exigencies seem to demand.
Some of the most important pro-
visions are as follows: In civil ac-
tons, three-fourths of a jury can
render verdict, and it provides that
offenses hitherto required to be pre-
sented by indictment, shall be pre-
scented by information, after examina-
ton and commitment by q magis-
trate, which presentment, upon in
formation, may be amended if found
defective. 1t prevents corporations,
other than municipal, from taking
the property of private citizens with
out first paying an equivalent there
fore; provides that no special priv
leges or immunities shall be granted
which may not be revoked by the
Legislature; permits the Governor
to veto any item in an appropriation
bill; prohibits the indiscriminate ap-
preparation of State funds for private
charities; places q check On stock
gambling, by preventing the sale of
stock on margins; prohibits the loan
of the credit of the State; prohibits
subsidies; makes lobbying felony;
authorizes the Legislature TO limit
the charges of telegraph and gas
corporations; gives each ccanty a
court of general jurisdiction, and
hastens the decision of cases by
withholding the salary of judges
who heve neglected to render a de-
cision for ninety days; prohibits
the pardon of criminal convicted
twice of felony, except on recon-
mendation Of a majority OF the Su-
preme Court, and requires the Gov
ernor to give his reasons to the Leg
islature for every pardon he grants;
requires public schools to be main
tanned six months in the year, instead
of three, as heretofore, recognizing
in the system, high, normal. and
evening schools. which are ignored
in the present Constitution; prohib-
its the contract system in prisons
! and requires that 'convicts shall be
worked for the benefit of the State;
arms counties, cities and towns with
police powers to rid themselves of
the Chinese; prevents the formation
of monopolies by water and gas
companies, by guaranteeing the right
of anybody to supply either COM
modify under certain restrictions;
prevents stockholders in corpora
tions from selling out to irresponsi-
BILE parties; makes the directors or
trustees of a corporation liable for
moneys embezzled or misappropriat-
ed by officers Of such corporations;
prevents Incorporated companies
from conducting their business in
such a manner as may infringe upon
the rights of individuals or the we'll
being of the State; prohibits corpora
tons from making fictitious increase
of their capital stock; rates by steam
er or railroad are to be regulated by
three commissioners chosen from
different geographical positions;
places restriction OH foreign corpora
tons; prohibits the issue of passes
on public conveyances to officers Of
the State; provides for the assess
ment of cultivated and uncultivated
land, of tho same quality, at the
same valuation, and for the exemp-
ton OF growing crops; makes impos-
sible the fraudulent conveyance of
property to escape taxation, and
makes it possible to tax railroad
property at its full value; prohibits
the State from employing Chinese
labor; makes eight hours a days
labor ON the public works, and pro-
vides that no person shall be dis
qualified on account of sex, from
pursuing any lawful business, avoca-
ton or profession.