The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-11-24
STATE CONSTITUTION.
Revision Commission Held Long
Session Yesterday.
Taxation, Salaries and Other Matters
Were Considered.


Francis. Goddard, Miller. weeden. Me-
Guinness and Wilson, Of the commission
on the revision of the state constitution
met in the state house yesterday after
noon and discussed questions until night
fall. Taxation, salary OF assemblymen,
and other vital matters We're considered.
The sub committee on state revenue sub
mitted three sections and two of them
were adopted.
IL was suggested that tho power Co ex-
empt from taxation be put in the consti-
tuition SO that the question might re put
beyond the possibility of controversy.
During the discussion the inequalities of
certain exemptions wero brought out
Where rival manufacturing concerns are
located in different towns and receive
grants of exemption for certain terms that
do not expire at the same time the one
whose exemption expires first Is at dis
advantage as axainst the other in having
TO nay a tax when the rival is paying
none. This has been seriously considered
by some members OF the commission.
There was n long debate on the ques-
tion of what things should be taxed un-
der the term personal" property.
On the subject of pay OF members Of the
General Assembly, il was advocated by
some of the commission that the mem
bers be paid $500 per year instead OF 81
per day, as recommended in the report of
the subcommittee. The sum of 5000 was
also suggested for the speaker. The re-
port also suggested the Limitation of the
sessions TO 80 days each. hut it was pro-
posed to strike out that and leave the
lengths of the sessions indefinite.
The commission will meet daily during
the week beginning Dec. 13 1897, and Ii
was voted TO request the Supreme Court
To excuse from attendance at court dur
-, t.of al pf
mission, and To excuse them on such
other days as the commission may be in
session.
The sections Professionally adopted were
| "a follows:
section THE fiscal year for the state
shall begin ON the 1st day of January,
unless otherwise provided by law. -
"Seo. The General Assembly shall
not authorize any city, town or incor-
porated district. TO become "a stockholder
in any company, association or corpora
tiop, or to loan its credit To any corpora
| tion. association, institution, or indi-
vidual.
The commission adjourned TO next
| Tuesday. The report of the sub-commit-
| tee on Legislative department Will be con-
| sidered Mt the next meeting.
The first change that Is suggested in it
| Is the piving up OF the sessions at New
| port The expected occupation OF the new
| State House in this city will probably re-
| suit in making Providence the sole capi-
tai of the state and in the draft of the
constitution that is presented by the sub
COMMITTEES there is no provision for legis-
| lative sessions at Newport
| Another suggested change is that in
| stead of the sessions being held one each
| year. there bo only one every TWO yeilrs,
commencing in January.
The report suggests a change in section
| 13. by which the power of the General
s....V se.e. .T..lat IL
considerably increased. The old constitu-
| ton provides that the Legislature shall
| not have power without the express con.
| sent of the people to incur state debts C
an amount exceeding 800 900 except IN
certain specified emergencies. The pro
posed substitute for that section is q:
follows:
"Sec. 13-The General Assembly shall
| have no power hereafter. without the ex-
| press consent of the people, TO incur state
debts to an amount exceeding in the ag
gregate, at any one time. $500. O00 excep;
| i'm time OF war, or in case of insurrectiou
| or invasion nor shall they in any case,
without such consent, pledge the faith OF
the state for the payment of the obiga
| tions OF others"
The provision as to biennial elections Is
as follows:
Section l. The governor, lieutenant
governor. senator's representatives secre
tary OF sLdle, UUlOTHey keuSrul duu Rcu
eral treasurer shall he elected at The
town, city, ward or district meetings. &c
bs holden on the Tuesday after the first
Monday in November, biennlally. The
officers elected shall hold their offices
from the first day Of January next sue
ceeding. If elected or qualified after the
said first day of January, they shall hold
their offices for the remainder of The
biennial term, and until their success
sors are qualified TO act"
10 Article XII, which deals with
Education" nll the old sections are tC
be retained, but fifth section is pro-
posed 90 be added rs follows:
SEQ g. Neither the state nor any sub
division thereof shall use its property ol
credit or any public money, or authorize
or permit either To be used, directly ol
indirectly, in aid or maintenance, othel
than for examination or inspection, o.
any school or institution of learning
wholly or in part. under the control ol
direction OF any religious denomination
or in which any denominational tsne
or doctrine is taught"
Under the article which has 20 do will
amendments 10 the constitu ton Ii il
proposed to add section ordering per
|