The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-30
AT THE SUNSET CLUB
AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION
OF CALIFORNIA
A Valuable Paper by the Hon. R. N
Bulla-Comprehensive Review Of
the Propositions

Despite the ascendant ambition Of the
thermometer, which accounted for many
absentees, who had followed Phoebus to the
beach, and the comparatively frivolous ex-
ercises of the last session, the regular
monthly meeting of the Sunset club last
night was attended by thirty-two members.
Levy's oyster house was the rendezvous
and an excellent fish dinner was enjoyed.
President H. T. Lee gave the toast of 1.-The
President" which was honored with en-
thusiasm, and then gracefully resigned the
chair in favor Of W. c. Patterson, to at
tend the meeting of the board Of free
holders The paper of the evening was read
by the Hon. Robert N. Bulla, on 1.-The Pro-
posed Amendments to the Constitution OF
California" Mr.. Bulla divided his subject
as follows: ~ Sources and character OF
our present constitution. (2) The resolutions
for its amendment passed by the last leg
;slature. 81 Brief consideration Of the
resolution for a new constitutional con-
vention.
After discussing the terms and conditions
under which the present constitution was
adopted. and pointing out some OF Its man
ifest failures, Mr.. Bulla took up the amend
ments and discussed them in detail. That
which will be known as amendment No.
on the ballots has for Its principal object
the exempting of San Francisco from pres
emit restrictions precluding the payment of
some old claims for street improvement
amounting to some $500, 900. Mr.. Bulla was
opposed to this amendment, inasmuch as 1t
IN n
which will spring up and demand recogni-
ton. It may be that a hardship is worked
on various contractors by the non-payment
of these bills, and it may be that the citi-
zens who have been directly benefited by
their street improvements, and, measur-
ably, the public, which has secured the
benefits of them, should be required to pay
these bills. But it Is principle of law that
every man should know his rights when
he enters upon contract. If the San
Francisco contractors acquired claim
which was unconstitutional, it was better
that they should be the sufferers than that
the public should be taxed for the payment
of a great many unjust claims.
Concerning amendment No. 2, providing
for more elaborate system Of county gov
eminent, i.e., the framing of county gov
eminent act by freeholders selected by the
voters in the same manner as freeholders
are now elected to frame charter for a
city-Mr. Bulla expressed himself favor
ably in the main, but he noted as an OBJ
lection that the Australian ballot system
might be set aside by any county seeking
to do so. He regretted this feature as he
considered the Australian ballot one of the
greatest safeguards of our elective system.
Amendment No. 3. which provides for
court of claims to hear and determine all
claims against the state. was heartily
sanctioned by him. He spoke on the
strength of experience acquired by him as
chairman of the committee of claims Of
the last state senate. and he felt sure that
great majority of the absolutely uncon-
stitutional and unjustihable claims which
now find allowance would be cut off If
subjected to a court of competent jurisdic-
ton, having authority to deduce evidence
and sift the mater to the bottom.
Amendment No. is designed more par
ticularly for San Francisco, to relieve that
CITY of embarrassment hitherto expert
enced by reason of its consolidated city
and county government, and is justified by
the experiences of that city.
Amendment No. provides for succession
in the office of the governor of the state
in the event of the death. incapacity or re-
moyal of the incumbent. 1t is judicious
provision. to avoid complications in the
event that the succession should pass
along to the lieutenant governor and an
other vacancy should occur.