Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-05-30

vote, and in the presence Of
a vast crowd of spectators, beneath Il
canopy Of flags of the union. John
Henry Smith, president of the conven-
ton, and the delegates thereto affixed
their signatures TO the engrossed in
strument. Thus the people of Utah
have completed, 50 far as they are
able, until President Cleveland has
signitied his approval or disapproval
of the document, the organic law and
great charter of the new political do
main. Considered as whole, the con-
Stituti0n is not very able or extra
ordinarily strong document. In some
respects, however, it is a powerful i'll
Strument. 1t is modelled somewhat
after the constitutions of Montana,
California, Nevada, and other western
states. 1t is composed of tWenty-four
articles, the Longest of which is the
article on executive and the shortest
that which provides for the care of the
forest lands of the state. The distin-
tive features of the constitution are
the provision by ordinance whereby
pOlygamouS or plural marriages are
forever prohibited and the granting of
the right of stuff rage to women.
The first effort of the delegates to
the convention was to make conStItu-
ton that would give to the new state
a very economical government. In
pursuing that idea as many offices as
possible have been eliminated and the
salaries of those remaining are fixed
exceedingly low. Some of the COM
pensati0nS provided for state officials
are of such a minute figure as to Dor
der on the ridiculous, the Importance,
and duties Of the Office
considered. The fixed salary bill is as
follows: Governor, 81, 900 per annum:
secretary of state, $4,000 per annum:
state auditor, 81 800 per annum; state
treasurer, $1,000 per annum; attorney
general. $1,000 per annum; superin-
tendent of public instruction, $500
per annum. These sums are in full
compensation of all services, the fee
system being done away with almost
entirely, none of the officers named be-
ing entitled to fees. All other state.
district, county, town, or school Off
GERS, it is provided, shall be paid a
fixed salary, the only exceptions being
notaries public, boards of arbitra ton,
court commissioners, justices of the
peace and cOnStableS.
The constitution makes it impossible
for the new state to increase its pres
ent indebtedness in excess of $500, 900,
and forbidS the legisla ture forever to
permit counties, cities, municipalities,
or the state itself, to take stock in en-
terpriSeS, corporations, or companies Of
any kind, or in any way, direct or in
direct, to create Indebtedness or lend
credit for the furtherance of any spe-
cial enterprise. ALI reasonable re-
Straints are drawn around corpora
tiOns, the article governing their for
nation and conduct being modelled
upon the ground nearest to protection
for the taxpayers, while doing justice
to the stock company.
In the judiciary article some Of the
most radical changes are noted, freeing
Utah from the old, musty traditions
and precedentS handed down from the
common English law. How judiciOus
and wise these changes will be time
alone can tell. The office of probate
judge is abolished and the duties OF
that office are put upon the district
courts. The state is divided into seven
judicial districts, With nine judges, and
under the constitution term Of the
district court must be held at the seat
which there are tWenty-seven in the
state, at least four times a year. The
supreme court, it is provided at pres
ent, shall consist of three members,
and the supreme court and nine dis
trict judges will have I'll Of the legal
business of the state to attend to eX-
cept as such petty cases as shall be
tried by justices of the peace and COM
No doubt when the state
is admitted one federal district judge
will be appointed.
The grand jury is done away with
except where, in the opinion Of some
district judge, public necessity requires
the calling of one, and in that case he
is empowered to empanel jury of
seven persons, five of whom must con-
cur to find an Indictment. All OffenseS
now prosecuted by indictment shall
hereafter be by information ordinarily.
The petit jury is cut down from twelve
to eight persons in number, and three
fOurths of these may return a verdict
except in criminal actions, when the
verdict must be unanimous.
The legisla ture, it is provided, shall
consist of siXty-four members, divided
as follows: Senators, p; representa-
tives, 81. Utah will have no lieutenant
governor, the secretary of state per
the duties generally given that
officer.
The usual provisions to protect labor
have been made. A state board of ar
bitra ton is provided for, and the en-
plOyment of women and of children
under II years Of age in underground |
mines is prohibited. Contracting Of
convict labor, or Of convict labor out !
side, except on public works, the politi-
cal or commercial control of employees, |
and the exchange of the blacklist are
also prohibited. Eight hours is made
4 legal days work. The constitution |
provides absolutely for the mainten-
lnce of a comprehensive and superb |
free school system, and the remainder
Of the articles and provisions are such
Is are common or ordinary in the con-
stitutions Of all states of the union.
The document as prepared for sub |
mission to tho naoDIa fo, ra tif1ca tinn