New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-05
DELAWARE'S NEW CONSTITUTION.

STRINGENT PROVISIONS AGAINST BRIBERY-No
POSSIBILITY OF ANOTHER DUPONT CASE
Wilmington Del. June (SpecaD.-Thc new Con-
sttution of Delaware the first since 1881, will not
be submitted 10 the people of the State. but will be
"promulga ted by the convention and will go into
effect on June 10. Twenty-nine Of the thirty men,
bers Of the convention signed the document. the
exception being John p. Donahoa Of Wilmington
His objection to the clause which provides for
the trial OF electloa offences by tho instead
Of by jury. The principal new provisions Of the
Constitution as follows:
The members OF the Legislature will hencefor-
ward be elected by districts. and no; as before by
counties. The districts are mapped out by the
convention TO prevent gerrymandering. and
thirty-fve in nun,bc. for Representatives and sew
entcen for Senators. Newcastle County, by far the
most popuous and wealthy OF the three is TO have
fifteen Representative and five Senate districts
while Kent and Sussex counties have ten Reprcsen-
tative ard five Senate districts each. The possib-
ity of another Dupont case is removed by the crc-
alton Of a Lieutenant Governor who. in the event
of the Governors death disability, will no longer
preside as Speaker of the Senate. but will be re-
placed by one OF the Senator'S elected by the rest
The power OF granting divorces is taken from the
Legislature Every person who shall give offer or
promise directly or indirectly. any money. test-
monial, privilege, personal advantage thing of
value TO any executive or judicial officer or any
member of either House for the purpose of infu-
encing him in the performance Of any Of his official
or public duties shall be deemed guilty OF bribery
and punished by fine or imprisonment and loss
Of the franchise for ten years.
The Governor Is TO have veto power, which he
has not had hitherto. but his power OF appointment
Is limited, all appointees where the salary Is
over 500 must be confirmed by the Senate. The ju-
dietary remains appointive. and not elective, but
the fe-tenure is reduced 10 a twelve-year term
and two new judges added. Only three of the
five Judges at any time can be appointed from
the same political party. This retires Demo-
Graf and makes room for two Republican
Judges The tax qualification for voters, so long a
source OF fraud and bribery, IL removed, and a
system OF registration substituted with Zee of 81
An e,lucat tonal qualification will be required OF all
voters come OF age or are naturalized after
1850 - .,
one who shall receive accept or offer TO receive or
accent or shall pay. transfer. deliver, shall
tribute or offer promise 10 contribute TO anoha-
any money or other valuable thing cOmpensa-
lion inducement or reward. Tor registering or not
his own vote. Voters can he challenged for these
o0ences and must then swear or affirm that they
are innocent before their vote can be received The
S,ncrior courts are empowered 10 recount the bal
bribery fraud or intimidation Is made misde-
meanor punishable by fine OF not less than 500
nor more than tG0. or imprisonment for not less
,han six months or more than five years. and with
Trials for election offences will not be BY jury but
lofore Judges Local option Is recognized by the
pew Constitution. Equal suffrage rejected by
ihe new convention. ana the single Tax agitation
is disposed Of by clause providing that In all
Refreshments OF real estate or on rental values. the
vaIue of the buildings and improvements on the
land shall be included