East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1906-05-09
HOW TO AMEND
THE CONSTITUTION
REFERENDUM VOTE TO BE
.t. TAKEN IN JUNE.
I'm Amendment Proposed TO the Con-
siitutlon of Oregon. by Which the
legislature Can Amend the Consti-
tutior-Text of the Sections That
Are to BE Amended.

tution-Text of the Sections That
Are to BE Amended.
one of the most important consti-
tutional amendments proposed for
adoption at the coming general cleo
ton is that relating to the manner in
which the constitution may be amend
ed.
The constitution as it now stands
provides, in sections l and of arti-
Gle Il. that constitutional amend
ments may be proposed by the legis-
lature, but the proposed amendments
must be approved by two successive
sessions of the legislature and be
adopted by a majority of the voters
voting at the general election.
While one amendment is pending
before the legislature or before the
people another cannot be proposed
1t is now desired by some to change
the constitution in this respect, so
that a proposed amendment need be
approved by but one session of the
legislature and may be adopted by a
majority of all the voters voting upon
that measure, although not majority
of all voting at the election.
There is no express provision in the
constitution authorizing the legisla-
ture to call a constitutional conven-
ton, but the legislature has that
power as the legislative branch of
the government.
~, l.
constitution places a limitation upon
the power Of the legislature to call
convention by requiring that the act
for that purpose must receive the ap-
proval of the people before il shall be-
come effective.
Present Constitutional Provision.
In order that the effect of the pro-
posed amendment may be understood
the article which is to be amended is
here set forth i'm full together with
the amendment which will be voted
upon I'm June. Article II reads as
follows:
Section |. Any amendment or
amendments to this constitution may
be proposed in either branch of the
legislative assembly. and If the same
shall be agreed to by majority of all
the members elected to each of the
! two houses, such proposed amendment
or amendments shall with the yeas
and nays thereon be entered on their
journals and referred to the legisla-
tive assembly to be chosen at the next
| general election: and II, in the legis-
! lative assembly so next chosen, such
| proposed amendment or amendments
| shall be agreed to by majOritw of all
| the members elected to each house,
| then it shall be the duty of the leg
| islative assembly to submit such
amendment or amendments to the
| electors of the state and cause the
| same to be published without delay
at least four consecutive weeks in
several newspapers published in this
state; and if majority of said cleo
tors shall ratify the same, such
amendment or amendments shall be-
come part of this constitution.
Sec. .. If two or more amend
ments shall be submitted at the same
time they shall be submitted In such
manner that the electors shall vote
for or against each of such amend
ments separately, and while an
amendment or amendments which
shall have been agreed upon by one
legislative assembly shall be awaiting
the action of Legislative assembly,
or of the electors, no additional
amendment or amendments shall be
proposed.
Text of Proposed Amendment.
! The measure which will be voted
upon in June proposes to combine the
two sections of this article and make
them read as follows:
i Section l. Any amendment OF
amendments to this constitution may
be proposed in either branch of the
legislative assembly and If the same
shall be agreed to by majority oi
all the members elected to each OF
the two houses, such proposed
amendment to amendments shall
with the yeas and nays thereon, bt
entered in their journals and referred
bv the secretary of state to the peo
pie for their approval or rejection
the next regular general election, ex
cept when the legislative assembl!
+, shall order a special election for tina
purpose.
IT majority OF tHe eleCtoiS N''lha
, on any such amendment shall vote II
l favor thereof, It shall thereby becom
part OF this constitution. The vote
for and against such amendment o
= amendme nts. severally whether pro
| posed by the legislative assembly o
= by initiative petition, shall be can
3 vassed by the secretary of state In tn
presence Of the governor, and If
shall appear to the governor that tn
I majority Of the votes cast at said eiec
: tion on said amendment, F amend
: rnents, jseverally, are cast in fayo
8 thereof. it shall be HIS duty forthwith
4 after such canvass, by his proclama
2 tion. to declare the said amendmen
or amendments. severally, having re
ceived said majority of votes to hav
been adopted by the people of Orego
as part of the constitution thereof
=. and the same shall be in effect as
part of the constitution from the dat
!; of such proclamation. ,I. l
= To BE Voted on Scparately.S
J.. . When two or mare aTnendment