Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-04-12
KENTucKYs NEW CONSTITUTION.
What 1t Has Cost the state-The Changes
IL Makes.
[By telegraph to the Dispatch.l

tBy telegraph to the Dispatch.l
LOUISVILLE, Ky, April 1.-The Kentucky
Constitutional Convention to-day COM
pleted the Constitution to be offered, and
Adjourned after being in session 1893 days;
II has cost the State about 5000, 900, and
made very many changes in the old funda-
mental law of the State. Some OF these
are recognized as wise, but very many are
untried and are considered Of uncertain
benefit. On account of the latter the Con-
stitution will be opposed by many. strong
public men, and may be rejected by the
people when voted on in August. Inc
principal changes are as follows:
The preamble expresses gratitude to God
for American liberty. The Bill of Rights
provides that no grant Of exclusive privi-
ieges shall be made except for public ser
vices; that no property shall be exempt
from taxation except as provided In the
Constitution, and that every franchise
shall be subject to amendment and reyo:.
cation: specifically allows the passage OF
a compulsory education law; forbids in
voluntary servltude except for crime; for
bids armed persons to be brought into the
State except upon application by the Cen
eral Assembly reyokes oil lottery char
tiers and prohibits such privileges.
Legislative sessions are limited to sixty
DAYS and special laws prohibited where
general laws can govern. Upon many SUB
iects special law is prohibited. Counties,
cities. and towns are to be divided into
classes and governed by general laws. An
official secret ballot is provided for with
provisions modelled after the Australian
system to prevent bribery. One election 9
wear in one place and no more is provided
for. Long sections define the rights and
privileges of corporations in general and
their limitations in their relations
to the public. The issue OF stock
except for money or other value
at the current market price Is forbidden
also, the giving of transportation or Other
The consolidation Of transportation anc
telegraph companies OF pooling of profits
il forbidden. Bank officers who receive
money for deposit after the bank is known
to be insolvent are made guilty of felony
A railroad commission, to operate under
extended constitutional provisions. ID es
tablIshed. All property, land, bank stocks
and money are to be taxed alike. The
number of grand jurors is changed from
sixteen to twelve. A uniform system OF
courts is devised. The working OF convlctS
outside the penitentiarY aud the payment
of employees except IN money are forbid
den. The age at which children may b'
employed is to be limited. After i've year.
land tltleS IN hentuCkyi osPeO,ahy IL Wv
Eastern Kentucky mining lands, must bt
settled. Votes of tax for railroads are for
hidden.
The $500, 900 of direct tax returned by
the Federal Government is added to th'
school fund. School money must be dis
trlbuted to whites and negroes alike, anC
separate schools for the races maintained
A state reformatorY institution is pro
vided.
Two amendments to this Constitution
NAV be proposed by any Legislature and
ratified by vote of the people at the mex
alactiou