, 1889-07-25
NORTH DAKOTA.
A New Consultation which Surprises
the Delegates-1t Is Good.

/
BISMARCK, Oak, July 21.--The consti-
surprise by the presentation of COM
plote constitution which will be consd-
cred by the convention during the pres.
ent week. This constitution has been
prepared with great care and after con-
suitation with some of the ablest consti-
tutonal lawyers in the union. In many
respects 1t is identical with the articles
OF the best provisions of the constitu-
tons of the different states and the
United States, fitted to North Dakota.
With regard to taxation, it has no spe-
ciiic provisions, embodying the Wiscon-
sin constitutional provision on this sub.
Iect, which. provides that the rate OF
taxation shall be uniform upon prop.
srty made subject TO taxation
of regulating the method of taxation
with the legislature. Il also provides
that property of non-residents shall be
taxed at n higher rate than residents
gives the legislature the power to fix
passenger and freight rates on railroads
and transportation companies, rates to
be reasonable and the courts TO decide
what are reasonable rates prohibits the
loaning of the credit of the state to any
association or corporation, vests the
Judicial power In court of impeach-
ment, consisting of the senate, supreme
court, district court, county courts and
justices of the peace, thus providing for
the establishment of county courts; linn
its the number Of judges of the supreme
court to three, which may be increased
after five years. 1t provides against
female suffrage.
1t declares that two years after he has
declared his intention to become citi-
zen and that the reading of the Declara-
ton OF independence with facility shall
he considered "A test of qualification to
vote. No act OF the legislature shall take
effect within sixty days after the ad-
iournmont unless specially provided in
the preamble, or body Of the act,
dance of material for discussion, and
those who have read it predict it will be
adopted with very few changes.
IL says the house of representatives
shall consist of not less than seventy
five nor more than 100 members, and the
senate not less than one-third nor more
than one-half OF the size of the
house. Each organized county shall be
entitled TO at least one member of the
house, Senators are divided into two
classes--one elected for two years and
the other four, 1t provides for biennial
sessions of the legislature not exceeding
ninety days. Two-thircs of the mem
bers elected may override the veto
power. 1t is against minority represen-
tation providing for elections by plural
ity veto. IL gives the legislature full
power TO regulate the liquor license
Any coal lands which the state may ac-
quire in congressional grants shall never
be sold, but may be leased. School
funds shall be invested in United States
bonds, bonds of the state or first mort
gage securities Of the state at not more
than half the value of the land. School
funds shall be considered trust fund,
interest to be used for schools, and in
case of the loss of any part OF the prin-
cipal the state must make 1t good. The
property of wife before marriage and
what she may acquire during marriage
shall be exempt from execution of
claims against the husband. 1t directs
the legislature 10 pass liberal homestead
laws. 1t prohibits foreign corporations
from transacting business in the state
until they appoint an agent in the state
who shall be subject to process
by law.