The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-05-10

not by l0ul, we believe tnat these lave
are wholesome. We believe that they are
necessary barriers against wrongs, neces,
sary defenses for rights, and SO believing
we will keep and defend them even to the
uttermost OF lawful, honest effort.
The SO.CaIIcd H0odIum Constitution Of
Cnllf0rnIa-Some OF It's Leading Pro.
visions.
Westated yesterday that the new Con-
stitution Of California taxed both mort
cages and the property subject to them.
This is an error, the lender only Of mon
ey on mortgages Is taxed, and il he, by
any device, direct or indirect, seeks to i'm
pose such tax on the debtor he inCurs GER
tain torfeituresr egardinginteres and taxes.
Among other noteworthy provisions in
the Constitution Just adopted are the fol-
lowing:
Grand juries for preliminary examine
ton are abolished. Three.fourths OF a
Jury make a verdict. The whole system
of present courts OF law is changed, for
greater efficiency. The now courts sit
in %permanencc, and all cases must
be decided withiG ninety days after sub
mission.
Railways arc common carriers, and must
be under State control. Commissioners
will supervise them, fix rates, etc. All
usual determinations and schemes TO break
rivalry and perpetuate monopoly arc pro-
hibited. If rates he reduced for such
purposes, they cannot again be raised
without permission.
The present squatter claims, which
cover all the waters OF California, are de-
clared void. The ownership is in the
State, which assumes control. Parties
now having water-works and sell water
arc only entitled to fair compensation for
service in delivery Of water. Commits
sioners will assume control, fix rates, &c,
Official salaries are greatly reduced and
perquisites abolished.
Taxation covers everything capable OF
private ownership. At present, wealth
evades taxation to the extent Of millions.
This Is corrected. All lands, whether
cultivated or not, whether In large or
small quantity, are assessed the same.
Improvements are assessed separately.
This aims at compulsory subdivision Of
tho vast monopoly lands held for specu.
lation, now the curse OF the State. Taxes
may be paid by instaIlmonts. At present
the money market is disturbed by the
rush for tax money at the end Of the term,
A board OF equalization makes valua,
tons alike In every county Tor the purpose
OF taxation.
Every taxpayer must make a sworn
statement OF his taxable assets. For wan
OF this, wealth to the extent Of many mil,
liens has hitherto eva1ed taxation.
Directors OF banks and other corpora,
tons must pay all d%efalcations Of the Off,
GERS OF their appointment.
No special laws can be enacted; al
privileges must be opened TO all men alike
At present two.thirds OF all legislation ant
nine.tenths OF legislative corruption arc
due to this class OF business. Therefore
lobbying is prohibited and declared felony
Stock gambling, by sales on margin, &c.
is forbidden, and all such contracts arI
void.
Watering stocks is prohibited. Thou
sands OF special charters cumber ouI
registry, without being used. These ar,
declared void. Their number exceeds 10,
900.
The public school fund can only be up
piled 10 primary and to grammar schools
Higher branches may ho added by loca.
taxation,
The Governor may veto any item In
bill Of appropriations, without preiudici
to the whole.
On all public works, eight hours shall
} constitute a days work.
, No corporation shall employ Chinamel
nor other MOngolianS (which include
J%apancse). All towns may contine tn,
race within such reservation.
: The Legislature is commanded to enaC
: stringentlaw 10 secure exclusion Of China
, men from tho State.
!; The great State University Is ordered I
! maintain at least one department Of ayr
! cultural and one OF other industrial II
struotion, and to admit women In ever
0 branch OF collegiate instruction.
; Provision s made for aforementioned
to tho constitution.