Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-05-03
The New Constitution of Kentucky

We have more than once made mehJlon
of the fact,that the people Of Kentucky are
soon 10 pass upon the Constitution framed
by the Constitutional Convention, which
recently finished it's labors and adjourned
without day. and we promised TO name
some Of the features of the new Constitu-
ton. There are many Of them which WIN
be worthy Of attentive study If the Con-
stitution shall be ratified, as many per-
sons suppose il will mol be. Certainly We
should DO afraid TO vote TO ratify such
constitution. We do not mean TO say any
thing against most Of these features ex-
eept that they ore untried and mlgM
work damage TO the best interests OF the
people of Kentucky. On the other hand,
they might turn out to be as valuable as
tho authors Of them imagine they Will
prove 10 be. The features we shall men,
ton in this article are not all new.
No property shall be exempt from taxa
ton except as provided in the Constltu-
ton. Every grant of franchise, privilege
| or exemption, shall be subject to reVoca-
ton. alteration. or amendment.
In oil indictments for libel the jury shali
have the right 10 determine the law ana
the facts under the direction of the court
as in other cases. All prisoners shall be
bailable. unless for capital offences when
the proof is evident or the presumption
great.
The Bill of Rights shall forever remain
inyiolate. Every thing IN it is excepted
ont OF the general powers Of Government
In Virginia the Bill of Rights Is MADE part
of the Constitution.
Each house of the General Assembly
shall Judge of the elections, qualifications.
and returns of its members; but contested
elections shall be decided as may be pro-
yided by law. Two members may cause
the yeas and nays to be entered upon the
journal of either house. Whenever
committee fails or refuses to report pro-
posed bill the bill may be called up IN the
house it ought to have been reported TO
and acted npon as if it had been reported
from the committee.
The General Assembly shall provide by
law for monthly examinations OF the ac-
counts of the Treasurer and the Auditor.
The General Assembly shall have no
power TO limit the amount to be recovered
for injuries resulting in death nor for In
juries to person OF property.
No act except general appropriation bills
shall become law until ninety days after
adjournment (some exceptions).
No bill shall become q law until signed
by the presiding officers of the two Houses.
Before signing it the presiding officer shall
suspend all other business. Then the bill
shall be read in full. If found correct the
bill shall then be signed and noted on the
Journal as signed.
The Legislature shall not pay any private
claim against the State, but may by law
provide for paying the same.
We have heretofore noticed that there
are thirty subjects concerning which the
General Assembly shall pass no local or
special laws.
No law except liquor laws shall be made
contingent upon ratification by the people.
The General Assembly shall not enact
any special OF local act by tie repeal IN
part of a general act, nor by exemptlng
from the operation of general act any
city, town, district, or county.
In all elections by persons acting in q
representative capacity the voting shall be
,iua roce and made matter of record. Ex-
:ellent provision.
No State officer of any city, town, dis
trict, or county, shall be elected the same
year members of the National House of
Representatives are elected.
The manner of administering an oath
shall be such as is most consistent with the
conscience Of the deponent, and shall be
esteemed by the Legislature the most
solemn appeal to God.
No Federal officer can hold at the same
time State Office.
All laws in force in Virginia in 1872 (some
exceptions) are declared to be still in force
in Kentucky.
All vage-earners shall be paid in lawful
money.
A grand jury shall consist of twelve per-
sons. Nine may find an indictment. In
civil and misdemeanor cases in inferior
courts a petty jury shall consist of six
persons The General Assembly may pro-
vide by law that in all TRIALS of civil cases
| In the circuit courts three fourths or more
of the jury may return verdict which
shall have the same effect as if returned
by the whole panel.
Throughout the Constitution there ID
| evidence that the convention which
framed il was trying to correct evils. In
O word, the new Constitution reads as if it
were a number of acts of Assembly bound