The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-06-15

Submit TO the Electors "A Proposition OF
Amendment 10 the Constitution OF This
State.
PASSED June /. 1891
II Is enacted by the General Assembly a
follows:
Whereas proposition OF amendment
20 the constitution OF this state was pro-
posed by the last general assembly. by the
votes OF the majority OF all the members
elected to each house and the same has
been published and read to the electors at
their annual town. ward and district meet
ings In April last. as required by the thir-
teenth article OF the constitution OF this
state. and Is now presented TO this general
assembly for their action thereon: and a
majority OF all the members elected 10
each house at said annual meeting being
present and approving of said proposed
amendment:
1t is enacted by the General Assembly as
follows
Section l. The following proposition ~
amendment 10 the constitution OF this
state, proposed by the last general assem-
bly, is hereby declared approved, as fol-
lows:
THE STATE E RHODE ISLAND
AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
We, the people Of the State OF Rhode
1siand and Providence Plantations, CRATE
ful TO Almighty God for the civil and re-
ngious liberty which We have so long en-
toyed. and looking 20 Him for q blessing
upon our endeavorx 70 preserve and per-
petuate the same, do ordafn and establish
this constitution OF government.
ARTICLE l.
Declaration Of Certain Constitutional
Rights and Principles
The rights and principles declared IN this
article shall be strictly maintained and
shall he OF paramount obligation in all
legislative. judicial and executive proceed
ings.
Section I. In the words Of the Father Of
his Country we declare. that the basis OF
our political systems Is the right OF the
people 10 make and alter their constitu-
tions of government; but that the cons,i-
tuition which at any time exists. tn
changed by an explicit and authentic act
OF the whole people. is sacredly obligatory
upon all
Sec, g All free governments are insti-
tuted for the protection. safety and hap
piness OF TIE people. All laws. therefore.
shall be made for the good of the whole:
and the burderS OF the state shall be fairly
distributed among its citizens.
Sec. Z. Whereas. God has created the
conscience free. and all attempts 10 infu-
ence II by civil punishments or incapacita-
tons tend to habits Of hypocrisy and
meanness. and whereas. a principal OBJ
Ject of our forefsthers. IN their settlement
OF this state. was 10 hold forth a lively
experiment. that flourshing civil state
may stand and be best maintained with
full liberty In religious concernments we
therefore declare thar no man shall be
compelled 20 attend. or. except I'm fulfill
ment OF hts own contract. TO support any
religious worship: or shall be disqualified
TO hold any Office or otherwise suffer on
account Of his religious belief. and that
every man shall BE- free 10 worship God In
his own way. and TO profess and by argu-
ment maintain his opinion In religious MAJ
tar hIlt nat In Inn uhaft ha
construed as to excuse any violation OF
the law In civil things.
Sec. T. Every person within this state
ought 10 find q certain remedy. by having
recourse TO tAe laws. for all injuries or
wrongs which he may receive in his per-
son. property or character. He ought 10
obtain right and Justice freely and without
purchase. completely and without denial:
promptly and Without delay; conformably
to the laws.
Sec. g. The right Of the people 10 be Sc
cure In their persons. papers. and posses
eions. against unreasonable searches and
seizures shall not be violated: and no war
rant shall issue but on complaint IN writ
Ing. upon prohabls cause. supported by
oath or affirmation. and describing. as
nearly as may be. the place 70 be searched
and the persons or things TO be seized.
Sec. 6. No person shall be held TO answer
for a crime which shall be punishable by
death or by Imprisonment I'm the state
prison. unless on prrsentmcnt OF .indct-
ment by a grand jury. except IN cases Of
impeachment. or IN casce arising In the
land or naval forces or IN the militia when
in actual service In time OF war or public
danger. No person shall be subject 10 be
twice put IN jeopardy for the same offence.
Sec. 7. Excessive bail shall not be re-
uuired. nor excessive fines Imposed. nor
cruel punshments inflicted: and all pun
ishments shall be proportioned 20 the Of
fence.
See. = Al persons imprisoned ought 70 be
bailed by sufficient surety. unless for Of
fences punishsbis by death OF by imprts-
onment for iife. when the proof OF guilt ls
evident or the presumption great. The
privilege Of the writ Of habess corpus shah
not be suspended. unless IN case ~ reoel-
Hon or invasion the public safety shan re-
oulre ~ nor ever withou; the authority ~
the general assembly.
Sec. q In ali criminal prosecutions the
eccused sbsil enjoy the tl9ht 70 a spsefy