The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-03-18

been duly r. resistersd ' as provided - law law.
OF G civil oficers by by the people, and on all
questions In all legal town. ward or dis
trlct meetings Provided, however. that NO
Hon OF the city council OF any city. or upon
any proposition TO impose a tax ar for the
expenditure OF money In any town or city.
against him upon real estate In such town
or city within the year next preceding. or
unless he shall. have paid tax upon his
such town or city. which real estate or
personal property shall have been valued
by the assessors at not less than one hun
dred and thirty-four dollars.
Sec 2 The preceding section is subject
to the following proyisos. to wit: no per-
son wno shS hereafSs s,tan the sSe oa
OF the United states or of this state. shall
have the right TO vote unless he shall be
able to read this constitution In the Eng
lish language, and write his name. but
these requirements shall not apply To any
person who by reason Of physical disabili-
ty shall be unable to comply Herewith.
No idiot. insane person. pauper. or person
under guardianship shall be permitted TO
vote; nor shall any person convicted OF
bribery, or convicted or any crime, and
punished therefor by Imprisonment In the
state prison, be permitted TO vote until the
general assembly shall. by special act, re-
store the right. The general assembly may
impose a forfeiture OF the right to vote In
punishment OF offences against the fair
ness or freedom of elections, and may, by
special act restore the right
Sec. 3. No person in the military. naval,
marine, or any other service OF the United
States. shall be considered as having the
required residence by reason OF being en-
ployed In any garrison. barrack, or mill
tary or naval station In this state. nor by
reason Of residing upon lands ceded to the
Sec l. Electors Of this state who in time
OF war are absent from the state. In the
actual military service Of the United states,
right TO vote in All elections in the state
for electors Of president and vice-president
congress, and general officers OF the state.
The general assembly shall have full pow
er 10 provide by law for carrying this ar
tice into effect.
Sec. s. The general assembly shall pro-
vide for a registry OF voters. and for can
yassing the voting lists; prescribe the ma
ture OF the evidence TO be required as 10
the right OF any person to vote. the man
ner of conducting elections. the counting OF
the votes. the authorization Of the re-
carry tlss article into effect, and to pre-
vent abuse. corruption, bribery and fraud
In elections.
ARTICLE III.
OF the Distribution OF Powers.
The powers OF the government shall be
distributed into three departments: the
legislative, the executive, and the judicial
ARTICLE Nv.
or the Legislative Power.
Section l.. This constitution shall be the
supreme law of the state and any law In
consistent Herewith shall be void. The
general assembly shall enact ali laws nee
essary to carry this constitution into eff
feet
Sec g The legislative power. under this
constitution, shall be vested in a general
assembly which shall consist OF two houses,
one to be called the senate and the other
the house OF representatives. The concur
renee of the two houses. each acting in
its own chamber. shall be necessary TO the
enactment OF laws; The enacting clause OF
all laws shall be, IL is enacted by the gen.
eral assembly as follows:
Sec. 3. There shall be session OF the
general assembly At S pr9ydeneei n eommente e.
each year.
Sec. l. Any member OF the general as
sembly who shall be OF counsel. or who
shall take compensation from any person
or corporation for service. In any, matter
pending before either house. shall forfeit
on Of the p9m house Of WseS he @ member
Sec. s. The person of every member OF
the general assembly shall be exempt from
arrest in any civil action during any ses-
sion Of the general assembly and for the
two days next before and the two days
next after any session, and all process
served contrary hereto shall be void. For
any speech in debate. in either house or in
grand committee. no member shall be
questioned In any other place.
Sec. s. Each house shall be the judge or
the elections and qualifications OF It's men,
bers. A majority OF either HOUSE. shall be
quorum to do business therein; but
smaller number may adjourn from day TO
day, and may compel the attendance OF
absent members in such manner, and uii-
der such penalties, as may be prescribed
tendance, or by law. The organization Of
the two houses may be regulated by law.
subject TO the limitations contained In this
constitution.
Sec. T. Each house may determine it's
rules of proceeding. punish contempts.
punish its members for disorderly behav-
L. #fth tNA n u n
thirds expel a member; but not second
time for the same cause.
Sec. s. Each house shall keep journal
of its proceedings. The yeas and nays or
the members of either house shall, at the
desire OF one-flfth of those present be en-
tered on the journal
sent OF the other. shall adjourn for more
than four days. nor TO any other place than
that in which they may be sitting.
Sec. TO- Each senator and representative
shall receive the sum OF three hundred dol
lars per year and no more, except the
speaker OF the house, who shall receive
the additional sum OF three hundred dollars
per year.
The general assembly shall regulate the
compensation Of the governor, and OF all
other state officers. subject to the limita-
tons contained In this constitution.
Sec. IL. All lotteries shall be prohibited
In this state
See. l2 The general assembly shall have
no power hereafter. without the express
consent OF the people, TO Incur state debts
TO an amount exceeding IN tnc dgBreEate.
at any one time, five hundred thousand
dollars. except In time OF war, or in case
of insurrectiOn or invasion: nor shall IL in
any case without such consent. pledge the
faith of the state for the payment OF the
obligations of others.
Sec. l3. The assent of two-thirds OF the
members eleqted to each house Of the gen.
eral assembly shall be required to every
bill appropriating the public money or
property for local or private purposes.
Sec. II. The general assembly shall. at
least once In ten years, provide for making
new valuations OF property throughout the
state n basis for the assessment OF
state taxes
Sec. IS. No corporation shall be created
with the power to exercise the right Of
eminent domain. or TO acquire franchises
In the streets and highways OF towns and
cities. except by special act OF the general
assembly unon n petition for ths same, the
tendency whereof shall be noti0ed as may
be required by law; nor shall either OF
said powers be granted to any person or
corporation. except In the same manner
Sec. 16. IL shall be the duty of the two
houses. upon the request OF either, TO join
In grand committee for elections. at such
time and In such manner as may be pre-
scribed by law.
Sec II. The grand committee shall con-
sist OF the members OF the senate and
house OF representatives. sitting together.