Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-03
MICHIGAN's CONSTITUTION.
Different Attempt. to Make Amendments to

COrrespondeace o. The Evening sta-
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH, February I, 1893
The present legislature will reapportion the
state anew into congressional districts The re-
apPortionment two years ago was made under
democratic auspices, and, while il was fairly
just yet 1t is not entirely satisfactory to the
publicans. and now that they are in the ascend
ancy they propose to do the work over again on
lines that will make victories easier for them in
the future Although the 81 reapportion-
ment was democratic measure. planned to
gain democratic victories. yet in the recent
election of the twelve Congressman chosen only
i've are den ocrats and one of those received his
certificate after recount OF the ballots on a
plurality OF II. As yet no plan has been formu-
lated for the republican reapportionment. but
the party managers deep in the statistics of
the last election and at early date will intro
duco bill which in all probability, hav-
ing the sanction and approval OF those
who direct the campaigns. will be put through
both houses without unnecessary delay and re-
ceive the gubernatorial signature. One plan
suggested for the consideration OF the law
makers throws Chapman and German, both
democrats. into the same district. makes easy
sailing for ODonnell. who was defeated in
November. gives Burrows a walk-away. throws
Cougrossmen-elect Thomas. republican. and
Richardson, democrat. together. also Atkins.
republican. and Whiting. democrat, and Wea-
ing to this plan, basing the calculations on the
election of IS. three districts would be demo-
cratic and the others reliably republican, and
on the election of 80 only two would be fairly
certain demOcratic. three would be close and
the other seven sure republican. This plan
contemplates several radical changes from any
former redistricting system. and il approved
would erase many old congressional landmark.
Bay connty. for instance. would be severed from
tie northern counties with which it has so long
a
thrown in with the thumb" TO make a close
district. The upper peninsula is left to form
one district. * at present. The legislature took
n recess last week to junket around the state
and the redlstricting plan was for the time laid
on she shelf. but it will be taken down at an
early date and put into shape for action.
lMENDISG THE CONSTITUTION.
The question put to the popular vote in
the recent election whether or not a convention
should be called to overhaul the state constitu-
ton The total number of votes cast was
IS 900 ard the Alternatives had a majority of
about 700 The total vote for governor was
46G. 600 The section of the constitution which
provides for the Submission of the constitu-
nal convention question TO the people at certain
intervals is so wordsd as to cast doubt upon
the passage of the measure. The constitution
provides that the general revision .'shall be
submitted TO the electors qualified TO vote FOR
members OF the legislature. and in case a ma
ioritv of the electors qualified voting at such
election shall decide in favor OF a convention"
the legislature shall provide WAYS and means.
Ex-Chief Justice A. b. Morse interprets this
YaSsase to mean that a majority of the electors
voting in the election must approve the conven-
ton or it does not carry. Ex- Chief Justice Jno.
". Champl!u thinks it means a ajority, SIM
Ply. Of the votes cast on the question. Mr. L. D.
Norris one of the ablest attorneys in the state,
thinks the measure could be interpreted either
way the supreme court sees fit. and that either
decision could be backed by ample authority
and precedent. A bin has been introduced in
the legislature providing for the constitutional
convention on the theory that it did pass.
II tine bill il enacted the question as to whether
the measure passed can easily be settled by a
nludGmus upon the secretary of state TO show
cause either by refusing to send out the call for
the election OF delegates or for sending them
ont The present state convention was adopted
in 1850. and contains many cruditles. The
instrument was good enough for forty years,
but Is now in many respects a back number.
Imperfect a. IL il. however. the people have
shown decided reluctance to setting il aside
for a new constitution or to change 1t. In 1867
a constitutional convention was held composed
OF such men az eN-Govs. Winans. Luce, Cros-
well and NcClelland. ex-senator U. ID. Conger
J.. i. Morris. Judges Lougyear and Whitney of
the United States courts. ex-Minister to Russia
q. V. y. Lothrop and score or more
others of the brightest minds of the
months. formulated a constitution in every
respect superior 10 the present constitution and
then the results Of its efforts were defeated at
the polls by majority of nearly 10000. In
1875 a constitutional revision commission was
appointed. with such members as ex-Gov
Jerome S. McCutcheon. Assistant Secretary of
Agriculture Willets. Ashley Pond, Judge Whitney
and exc congressman Hatch and Moffatt. The con-
s.itutiOn drawn up by tine commission was
buried under n majority OF SO. 600. Even though
al l.
held there is no prospect of ANYTHING it might
do receiving the sanction of the people. The
constitution since its adoption in 1850 has had
many Of its rough spots smootbed down by sep
, arate amendments and the pIecemeal method
/ will have TO be continued. Cp to date forty.
[ four amendments have been proposed and of
these nineteen have been rejected. The first
amendment proposed sought to grant ..equal
suffrage to colored persons, and it was de-
feated by large majority. The constitution Of
/ ls6I contained a similar provision and also one
/ on prohibition. and these two sections more than
! ANYTHING else defeated it at the polls. The
\ eOlOred people received tie suffrage by an
/ amendment adopted in 1870. BY the original
constitution the salary of the governor was fixed
AZ $1,000. secretary Of state $500 and other
state officers in proportion. After twice fail
| ing at the polls the governors salary was in
I creased to GA 900. the attorney generals salary
/ Vas increased from SscO to 81. 500 and some of
the other officers were given the benefit OF
! more liberal salaries. but some of the most i'm
[ portant officials still working on the $500
basis while the clerks and deputies receive from
! 100 TO : 500. Ii the constitutional conven-
| ton il decided by the supreme court to have
/ failed several important amendments will be
| submitted 10 the people for their sanction.
Among these proposed amendments are several
to increase salaries, one TO make radical changes
| in the road system. another to give members of
the legislature n stated salary instead of a per
diem. and still another to make certain OF the
| Offices now appointiye elective instead.
REPCBLIcAS CONVENTION.
The republican state convention to nominate a
/ justice of the supreme court and two regents of
| the state university will be held in Detroit on
February q Judge Hooker o. Charlotte,
| elected in Nov ember TO fill the vacancy caused
I by Judge Morses resignation to run for gov
I ernor, viii undoubtedly be nominated for the
| full term OF ten wears. The Michigan Club
banquet will be held in Detroit the same day
! and evening and the occasion will be made as
memorable as possible. Secretary Rusk is ex-
pec.ed As one of the orators and several other
/ notables are on the list. Not TO be outdone by
/ the Detroit republicans the LINCOLN Club of
this city Will give n banquet on Liucoln's birth
/ day. and Gov. Rich and ex-Govs. Luce. Alger and
| B.air. ex-senator Thos. W. Palmer and Philip L.
\ Colgrove, president of the State League OF Re-
/ publican Clubs. are booked as the star sttrac-
tons. The democratic state convention has
! not been called yet, but viii probably be held
| here. Vim. q. Howard Of Kalamazoo, L. L.
I Eea+f-c ~ MrtsEaOo, nd Trto ~