The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-14
Delaware's New Constitution.

When JOHN NJ. CLAYTON, long a great
power in Delaware, drew up the Constitu-
tion of 1881, he made it very difficult to
alter, and said he had "locked it up and
thrown the key out of the window"
But after two generations the key has
been found. The State of Delaware is al
ready living under an amended Constitu-
tion, for the schedule annexed to the one
adopted in convention on the fourth day of
this present month declares that it shall
take effect June 10, 1897"
What changes in the old fundamentals law
have been made by the new onel The pre-
amble remains word for word the same and
yet, as in a single sentence it comprises
the argument for popular government, we
are tempted to quote it in full; If only as a
specimen of what was left with no attempt
at improvement:
Through Divine goodness all men have by nature
the rights Of worshippins and serving their Creator
according to the dictates OF their consciences, OF en-.
Joying and defending life and liberty. OF acquiring and
protecting reputation and property, and in general of
attaining objects suitable to their condition. without In
jury by one to another; and as these rights are essential
to their welfare. for the duo exercise thereof, power
is inherent in them; and therefore all Just authority in
IL vi pOHtiC OClct u ueTlNeu from
the people, and established with their consent, to
advance their happiness; and they may for this end,
rs circumstances require, from time to time. alter
their Constitution OF government"
The bill of rights follows, as Article I. of
the Constitution, and this, too, is I'M
changed. Its nineteen sections are con-
cerned with the customary safeguards for
personal and political rights.
But the next article, which deals with
the Legislature, is greatly enlarged and
altered. Various changes made during the
last sixty-six years are now incorporated in
the Constitution. The House of Represent
atives Is composed Of 80 members, and the
Senate II, in place of the smaller numbers
of 1881, though provision was then made for
Increase. Their districts are bounded and
described In the new Constitution. The
qualifications and terms of office remain
substantially the same, except that the Sen.
ator is no longer required to have the "free
hold estate in 200 acres of land, or an
estate in real or personal property, or in
either, Of the value OF one thousand pounds
at least" prescribed in 1881.
There are many changes in regard to
the organization and conduct of the Leg.
ibiutuEcs ouO boHic lave u local raUnef
than a national interest. The compensa.
tion for members OF the Legislature is
$5 per day, with so for presiding officers,
and, should they remain in session more
than sixty days. they must serve without
compensation. Like compensation Is to be
paid for special or extra services, not ex.
ceedlng thirty days. The maximum allow.
ance for stationery n supplies to each
member is $25 for a regular and $40 for a
special session.
Lotteries, pool selling, and all other
forms of gambling are prohibited. A
member who has a personal interest in q
pending measure must disclose the fact and
not vote thereon. The Legislature, OIL
General Assembly, as it Is called, must
not pass any local or special law relating
to fences; tho straying of live stock
bitches; the creation or changing OF
boundaries of school districts; or the lay
ing out, opening, alteration, maintenance
or vacation, in whole or in part, OF
any road, highway, street, lane, or alley
Bribery of Legislators is defined, and il
to be punished In such name aS shall
be provided by law. No bill or joint reso
luton, except bills appropriating money
for public purposes, shall embrace NOR
than n subject, and this shall be ex
pressed in itA .title. Finally. mo divorces