Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-05-08
Cal;eorusa,s New Constitution.

The result of the vote In California on the
proposed constitution is surprise. the 1nd1-
cations are that the document will be adopted.
San Francisco's supposed majority OF 10000
against tt has dwindled to 1000, aud the agri-
cultural counties OF the state are reported to
have voted heavily In its favor. The strength OF
the new constitution among the mass OF the peo-
pie is doubtless due to its anti Chinese clauses.
By its provisions the Chinaman Is made ineli-
gible to citizenship, Incapable OF holding real
estate, and subject to poll-tax. His employ
ment By corporations or by the state except as
a punishment for crime Is forbidden. His
presence is declared to be dangerous, and the
legislature is advised not only to prohibit his
immigration into the state, but to delegate
power to municipalities to remove him from
their limits The clauses aimed at the Chinese
seem to be framed and hurled at them promls-
cuously with the idea that If some miss others
viii hit. The constitution deals with railroads
and other corporations in q like summary
manner. Its trainers legiSlated against mon
opolies, but have created one of the
first magnitude. Railroad commissioners are
appointed with almost unlimited powers. In the
way of regulating the actions of the companies.
II the latter can obtain control Of them, and it
would seem TO be an easier matter than to buy
up whole legislature, they can treat the pub
lie as they please under the constitution. Free
tickets are abolished, and their issue is made a
punishable offence. In the clauses relating to
taxation and revenue especial attention Is paid
to corporations, bOndholderS and the moneyed
classes. Church property, school property and
mortgages are taxed Income taxes are i'm
posed, to be collected from persons, corporations
and joint stock companies, resident or doing
business in the state. Among other provisions
of inf no I'd
ernor is given the power to veto any item In an
appropriation bill without 1nvalidating the
whole bill. The making or authorizing the
making of any gift, grant or subsidy 10 any
person or corporation or association Is pro-
hibited. Lobbying and the acceptance of a re-
ward while In the public service are declared
to be felOnieS. Sales Of the shares of the capital
stock Of any corporation on margin are declared
void, and the legislature Is directed to regulate
Or prohibit stock gambling.
The directors or trustees of all associations
are made jointly and severally liable to the
stockholders for all moneys embezled or misap-
propriated by any officer of the association.
Every person convicted Of having given or
offered any bribe to procure his election or ap-
pointment is disqualified from holding any
Office OF profit or trust. Mechanics, artisans,
labOrers and material men have lien for the
value Of their labor and material Women are
allowed to engage In any lawful business and
eight hours are made legal days labor on
all public works.
While some Of the changes introduced by the
new constitution are undoubtedly good and
others propose experiments which may result
In good, the instrument as whole is dlscred-
liable to California and may be expected to
work to her injury. The state Will be under
the workings Of the new constitution, the ex-
perimental ground for testing the practicability
OF some Of the widest theories of Kearneyism.
and while the results, which will De watched
with curious interest, will perhaps benefit man
kind, 1t Is not likely that they will be OF advan-
tage to the business interests or TO any other
interests OF California.