The state herald., 1889-07-26
A aEAoY.MADE CONSTITUTION.
The Members Of the North Dakota
Convention Given 4 Surprise.

S0VVVUht0ss NtvON SNs ~ 'Ses
BISMARCK, Dakota. July 2i.-The
Constitutional Convention has been given
surprise BY the presentation Of com
plete constitution which will be considered
during the present week. This constitution
Is said to have been prepared with great
care and after consultation with some Of
the ablest constitutional lawyers in tho
Union. In many respects 1t Is identical
with the articles already introduced. "
Is compilation Of the best provisions Of
the constitutions OF the different States
and tho United States, fitted To North Da-
kota.
With regard 10 taxation 1t has no specific
provisions, embodying the Wisconsion con-
stitutlohal provision on that subject, which
provides that the rate of taxation shall be
uniform upon property made subject to
taxation by tho Legislature, leaving the
power Of regulating the mode of taxation
with the Legislature.
II also provides that the property OF non
residents shall not be taxed at higher
rate than that Of residents; gives tho Leg
| sDiSsuAO pVWOh w pAsSSh6SA ""N NAN'c
rates on railroads and transportation com
panies the 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
invests judicial power in Court Of I'm
parchment, consisting Of the Senate, Su
preme Court, District Court, County
Courts aud justices OF the Peace, thus pro
vidinaop the establishment Of courts
limits the number of Judges OF the Su
preme Court to three, which may be In
creased after five years.
1t provides against female suffrage.
The House OF Representatives shall con
sist Of not less than IS or not moro than IN
members, and the Senate not less than one
third or more than one half Of the size o
the House, Each organized county shai
be entitled to at least one member OF th'
House. Senators are divided into two
classes-one to be selected for two year
and the other for four.
II provides for biennial sessions Of tn
Legislature, not exceeding ninety days.
Two-thirds Of the members. elect ma
override the vote power.
1t is against minority representation
providing for elections by plurality vote.
n 1t gives the Legislature full power to res
ulate the liquor license.
Any coal lands which the State may IL
quire in q congressional grant shall neye
be sold, but may be leased.
The school fund shall be invested l
United States bonds, bonds Of the State Q
: first mortgage securities of the State, ,
I not more than half the value Of the LAM
+ The school fund shall be considered n tru,
fund, the interest to be used for school
, and in case Of the loss Of any part of Il
n principal the State must make IL good
. 1t prohibits the passage Of special law
The property Of II wife before marrias
and what she may acquire during marriag
: shall be exempt from execution on claim
y against the husband.
i II directs the Legislature to pass liber
homestead laws; prohibits foreign co
porations from transacting business in Il
State until they appoint an agent In Il
u State who shall be subject to process
" law; provides that no foreigner shall vo
until two years after he has declared h
n intention to become citizen, and that u
X. reading of the Declaration Of Independents
= with facility shall he considered the test
- the qualification Of voter.
NJ act Of the Legislature shall take effe
within sixty days after adiournment,u ,unle
= specially provided for In the preamble
have read II predict that IL will be adopt
with very few changes.