The Ottawa free trader., 1889-02-16

the bill TO revise tn c constitution will pass.
The Legislature has this week devoted the
best part Of three days to the Chicago drain
age bill, and representatives, from Chicago
Joliet and Morris have been present taking
part in the discussion, particula ly in the sew
eral evening meetings held. 1t is quite ev.-
dent that much of the opposition TO the bill
In Joliet, Morris and Marselles is being with
drawn, as business men in all three towns
have passed resolutions fayoring the passage
Of the bill The La Sale county and VIII
county members are, however, opposed to it.
The indications are the bill will pass, although
the fight against it will be bitter and long
one.
The house committees have made favorable
reports on the following bills: Sparks bill,
providing that 9S pound, shall constitute a
full half barrel sack Of flour, and quarters
and eighths at the same rate; ;, huwcrk ;
bill, placing all bridges costing over $1,000
in the hands of the county board McClana-
Aans, compelling towns to levy 30 cents for
two years for bridge purposes before they call
on the county for help; Ross bill, to provide
for mine inspectors; Rays bill, giving town
ship insurance companies the right to extend
their charters; Merritt's bill, providing that
afaer two payments of premiums life iIrsur-
ance policies may not be entirely forfeited
In the senate committees Washburn's bill was
fayorably acted upon, limiting county taxes
at % cents, city taxes at 80 cents, town, 10;
effort to amend the divorce law, to prevent
frauds, was beaten in the senate.
On Tuesday Mr.. Crafts introduced an i'm
portant constitutional amendment relative to
the election law, extending the Chicago law
to the whole state, providing that Sec. |,
Art. Z of the con- nstitution shall be amended
to read rs follows Every person having re-
sided In the state one year, county 90 days
and district 80 days, who is a native born or
naturalized elector, ,ohO shat BE- able 10 read
aM torite the EngiiSh language, shall be entitled
to vote, but no person shall be entitled to
vote at any election who has been convicted
of II felony, or who has been convicted of u
misdemennor within two years of any such
election, or who has received aid as u pauper
from the authorities of any county, town, city
or village within six months of such election.
The general assembly shall provide by law
for the ascertaiument OF the constitutional
qualifications of persons claiming the right
10 vote, and for the registration OF the quail
fled voters at least thirty days prior to every
election, aud no person shall be entitled to
voec unless so qualified aud registered"
An amendment to the law is also suggested
granting further time than two days for reg
istry
The effort to get constitutional amend
mcnt through the Legislature is keeping a
few people very busy. just what is hoped
to get out of revision of the constitution
does not appear, unless it be to remove some
Of the legal restrictions to the taxing power
of municipal corporations. The plea is made
that the present constitution is "too restric-
tive" and that it is necessary to amend the
constitution in order to revise the revenue
law.