The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-12-04
pEnEWARE's CONSTITUTIONS.


DEIEWAREs CONSTITUTIONS.
Kansas proposed constitutional con-
vention brings to mind that Delaware is
now changing her constitution for the
fifth time. The convention for this pur-
pose began it's sessions in Dover last
Tuesday. At the general election held
November 6, 1894, the people of the
state voted, by majority of &c, AIS in
total vote of 25,2O6. in favor of calling
the convention. There we're only 2,364
votes against the Blan. The vote met
the peculiar requirements Of existing
fundamental law after two previous
failures at elections. the last of which
was in May, 1891. In order to get the
question fairly before the people an
amendment was adopted in due form,
shifting the time Of voting to the general
election day in 1894, with the result
above stated. The delegates to the con-
vention were elected on the third of this
month.
A proposed change in the constitution
is with respect to the character Of the
vote necessary to carry a bill or joint
resolution through either branch of the
general assembly. Under the prevailing
system bare majority of those present
provided, always. that quorum is pres
ent and voting, is sufficient to pass any
bill or joint resolution except acts of in
corporation, for which, under the pres
ent constitution, a two-thirds vote in
each house is required. 1t is proposed
that the votes of full majority of the
full membership in each bsanch shall be
necessary for the passage of a bill or
resolution.
The state house of representatives has
twenty -one members, of which number
eleven constitute quorum for the
transaction of business. Six votes COM
prise majority of eleven. 1t is posi-
bic, therefore. under certain conditions,
to pass bill in the house with only six
votes in its favor. one less than the full
representation of each of the three coun-
ties and one less than third of the en-
tire membership.
The senate has nine members, or
whom five constitute a quorum for the
transaction CT ordinary business. With
q bare quorum of five members present
three votes are sufiiient to pass any
measure except an Incorporation act.
Thus. six members in the house and
tree in the senate, or nine of the thirty
members who compose the entire gen
erai assembly, may pass a measure
fraught will, the most important conse-
| qIcnces to the state.
The temperance people are looking
| upon this as Oh opportunity to fix the
! temperance question so that they may
te able TO set hearing in the state or
vote for local option. Forty or fifty
| years age The courts passed upon some
form of a local option law and declared
/ il unconstitutional As result OF that
decision the friends of temperance have
been unable to get the question submit
| ted to the people again.
The FIRST constitution for Delaware
| was framed hy convention which met
at New Castle. August p, 1II6. George
! Reed was elected president and James
| Rooth secretary. The constitution fran
ed b. this holy was adopted September
~. TIC. Ii was written by Thomas
Mexican. who said he wrote il in 4 tav-
ern the night before the convention
met. and tha; he wrote il without con-
sulting book.
| The second constitution for the state
was framed hy convention that met
| NJ Dover, November 20. 1871. This con-
vention held two sessions, the first last
ing from November 10 to December 81.
11al. and the second from May % 10
June l.. 119, the constitution being
adopted on the last day OF the second
session.
The third constitution was framed by
q convention that me; at Dover. Novem-
Der 5. 1851. Like its predecessors. il
was composed Of ten members from
each county. The convention was only
in session twenty-seven days. and the
constitution adopted by it under date
OF December =. 1881. was the handi-
work of John NJ Clayton. al thar time
in his thirty fourth ye1r-
The fourth conveutiea Tor the purpose
of framing a state constitution met ar
Dover. December :. 1872 Ia the elec-
ton at which b question u ealling this
convention Was Submitted % The people
majority OF the qusllfied v~iers Of the
state did not psrticlTssse. and many
were led to doubt TIE lesaiity Of the
calling of the eonvenrion on that ae-
count The convention sas in session
| 6fy-five days, adIourning April 30. ISL