The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-07-20

The third week of the constitu-
tional Convention starts out with
an increased membership and an
evident determination upon the
part of majority to extend the
elaboration indefinitely. The idea
of possible defeat ofthe document
they are framing seems to have
never entered the mind of the mem
bers and their sublime faith in
their work is remarkable. To all
such, I would say-the people have
not spoken yet.
PREAMBLE AND BILL OF RIGHTS.
The preamble is model of
brevity-containing only twenty
eight words. Section 4 of the Bill of
Rights is departure from all pre-
cedents in that it deals with the
Mormon problem. 1t is as follows:
."The exercise and enjoyment Of
religious faith and worship shall
forever be guaranteed; and no
person shall be denied any civil or
political right, privilege or capacity
on account of religious operations,
but the liberty of conscience hereby
secured shall not be construed to
dispense with oaths or affirmations,
or excuse acts of RIGHTEOUSNESS or
justify polygamous practice, incon-
sistent with morality or the
peace or safety of the State; nor to
permit any person to commit the
crime Of bigamy or polygamy, or
any other crime. No person
shall be required to attend or sup
port any ministry or place of wor-
ship, religious sect or denomination,
against his or her consent, nor shall
any preference be given by law to
any religious denomination or mode
of worship"
This was amended in the COM
mittee of the Whole by that grand
old "Jack Mormon" Geo. Ainslie,
as follows:
"Bigamy and polygamy are for
ever prohibited in the State"
The Bill of Rights also provides
that "the right Of trial by jury
shall remain inviolate; but in civil
action, three-fourths of jury may
render a verdict"
Another important provision is
that mo property qualification
shall ever be required for any per-
son to vote or hold Office.
MILITIA.
Section 1 of the Report of Com
mittee on Military affairs provides
that 'all able-bodied persons, resi-
dents of this State, between the
ages of eighteen and forty-five
years, shall be enrolled in the
militia, and perform such military
duty as may be required by law.
LEGISLATIVE.
The Committee reported that the
Senate shall consist of one Senator
from each county, and the House of
Representatives double the number
the Senate. The Legislature may
increase the number of Representa-
tives from time to time, but the
number shall at no time be more
than three times the number of
Senators. The Senators shall be
elected for the term of four years
and the Representatives for the
term of two years.
Sessions of the Legislature shall
be held bi-annually commencing on
the first Monday in or after the
first day of January.
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CORPORATIONS.
The report provides that all rail
roads shall be public highways, and
all railroads and express companies
shall be common carriers, and sub.
ject to Legislative control, and the
Legislature shall haye power to
regulate and control by law rates of
charges for the transportation of
passengers and freight by such COM
panies as common carriers from one
point to another in the State.
No corporation shall issue stocks
or bonds, except for labor done,
services performed. or money or
property actually received, and ell
fictitious increase of stock or indebt-
edness shall be void. The stock of
corporations shall not be increased
except in pursuance of general law.
This section is designed to prevent
"watered stock"
10 Lottery Of gift enterprise
shall be authorized by the Legisla-
ture.
SEAT OF GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC BUILD
fNGs, ETC.
Tbs report says that the seat of
government for the State Of Idaho
shall be located at Boise for twenty