The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-03-26
CALIFORNIA; NEW CONSTITUTION.

CALlEUhN1Ao . NEW CuNo111UI1UN.
John Randolph, or some other saga
cious statesman, once said that it was not
in the scope of human forethought or
Judgment to frame II constitution for
free people that could stand the test of
twenty years without revision. At the
first thought the truth of this statement
seems to be an admission of an incapacity
of the people for self-govelnment. But
experience has long since demonstrated
that with the power to create exists the
capacity to amend, revise and adopt the
fundamental law to the chau9ing condi-
tions of the people.
Thirty years ago the people Of Califor-
mia devised a constitution, which being
found acceptable to Congress, California
was admitted to the Union. Twelve
years later number of amendments
were adopted and again in 1871. With.
these trifing changes the old constitu-
ton of 1919 has proved adequate to the
wants of rapidly growing State and the
protection of the people.
The recent Constitutional Convention
mas adopted an entirely new instrument,
which is to be voted upon in May next,
and, if verified, will 90 into full effect
January 1st, 1880. Like everything of
California growth, her trees and noun
tains and colossal fortunes, this instru-
ment is of great length, being more than
twice as long as the Constitution of
the United States. 1t contains many
provisions which have never before
found place in State constitutions, some
of which are worthy Of general adoption,
while Others are OF questionable utility.
Space will permit only brief summary
of the most important of these innova-
tions. No person shall be imprisoned in
civil actions, except for willful injury
to persons and property. Suits for libel
against newspapers shall be tried in the
county where such papers are published,
excepting in certain specified cases. In
all civil cases three-fourths of the jury
may render verdict and any number
less than twelve may be agreed upon tc
act as jurors. All foreigners, excepting
Chinese, may inherit, hold and devise
property, and the right Of suffrage ha:
the same limitation. In legislation the
Governor may veto any one or more
items of an appropriation bill. All mu
nicipal corporations are prohibited from
making any grant whatever To any insti
sutton under the control Of religious so
+.cty. All speculative or gambling stocl
eeerations, sales on margins or for future
delivery shall be void, and money paic
on any such contracts may be recovered
bv suit. Gas and telegraph companie
are placed under the control of the Leg
islature, and their charges, as also th,
charges for storage and wharfage shall
be regulated by law.
A sledge-hammcr blow is aimed at lob
byists and all legislators who yield t.
4heir seductive influences. The busines
o. the former is made felony, while tn
latter, in addition to any punishment tn
law may provide, shall be forever dis
franchised and disqualified from holding
any public office or trust, and every per
son is compelled to testify, even thougl
he may criminate himself or subject him
self to public infamy. Rapid justice i
provided for by Withholding Judges sal
aries if any cases remain on their docket
undisposed of for the period Of ninet.
days. Land limitation, homestead ex
emptions, mechanics liens, eight hours a
legal days work in all public works anc
tue opening up of all kinds of busincs
vocations and professions to everybod
are amongst the alterations or innoya
tions of the new Constitution.
In all corporations, other than nun