The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1889-08-30
North Dnkota's Constitution,

1t is believed, says q North Dakota paper,
that the constitution formed for North
Dakota is q model document and that it
will stand beside those of other states su-
perior rather than equal. Its provisions
have not been hastily considered and
adopted. The committees lave been faith
full and their reports thoroughly discussed
in committee of the whole house. The
committee on revision and adjustment
went over the work carefully and in turn
their report has been considered section
by section by the convention, and oppor-
tunity given for full opinions of thought
and wise amendments. Now the docu-
ment goes to the people. and as its
rider ID immediate statehood it is not
likely to meet with very great opposition.
A very brief synopsis of the document is
appended. beginning with tho preamble
it reads:
I'VE, the people of North Dakota, CRATE
ful to Almighty God for tho blessings of
civil and religious liberty, do ordain and
establish this constitution"
Article I Is the declaration of rights. It
is much the same as the stereotyped bill
OF rights. An exception is, it provides
that the legislature may alter, regulate or
abolish the grand jury system"
Article ii is devoted to the Legislative
department. Tho senate shall be COM
posed of not less than thirty nor more
than fifty members, the house of represen-
tatlreS shall consist Of lot less than sixty
nor more than one hundred members.
The sessions after the FIST are limited to
sixty days.
Article III provides the executive de-
partment. Term of Office of the governor
shall be two years; his salary 49, 900 per
year. The salary of the lieutenant COVER
nor is fixed at 81, 900; that of the other
state officers at $4,000. A new state officer
has been provided for-commissioner of
agriculture and labor.
Article Nv provides judiciary. Supreme
court judges shall be
elected Mt large and their term of
office shall be six years. The state is d.
vided into six judicial districts.
Article V treats of elective franchise.
Civilized Indians are made citizens after
they have severed their tribal relations two
years. Women are given the privilege of
voting at all elections held solely for
school purposes. Elections shall be held
biennfallS.
Artlcl VI concerns municipal corpora
tons. The indebtedness of such is limit
cd to 4 per cent. of the assesse | valuation.
Article VII is on corporations other than
municipal. 1t is framed in the farmers
interest.
Article VIII is on education.
Article TX, regarding school and public
lands, is a lengthy article relative to the
care ndsdisposition of the public lands.
Article 4 is on county and township
organization. The term of Office of sheriffs
and treasurers is limited to four years in
succession.
Article XII deals wi h revenue and taxa
lion. The state!taxs levy shall not exceed
1 mills on the assessed valuation. Per-
,onal property to the amount of $3.50
,haN be exempted. Cultivated and uncul-
lands of the same quality and sim
larly situated shall be assessed at the
anne value.
Article XII is on public debt. The state
nay contract debts but not in the excess
( e2OO, coo. The debt OF any county,
,xnship, oitY, town Of other ub.diyiston