Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-01-15
STATE OF MAINE.

"
STATE OF MAINE.
RESOLVE proposing an amendment
to Article Four of the constitution OF
the State of Maine, establishing a peo-
pies veto through the optional refer
and direct initiative by petit
ton and at general elections.
RESOLVED, That the following
to the constitution OF TINS
State be proposed for the action of the
legal voters of this State in the manner
provided by the constitution, to wit:
Part first of Article Four is hereby
amended as follows, namely: BY stilA :
ing out all of Section l after the word
Maine" in the third line thereof. and
inserting in lieu thereof the words
1.-The joint action of both shall be sub
ject to a peoples veto and direct
initiative as hereinafter provided ami
the style of their acts and laws shall
be BE it enacted by the people of the
State of Maine" so that said section
as amended shall read as follows,
namely,
The legislative power shall be vested
in two distinct branches. house OF
representatives and a senate, cach 10
have a negative on the other, aad both
to be styled the Legislature of Maine.
The joint action of both shall be sub
ject to Il peoples veto and direct
initiative as hereinafter provided and
the style of their acts and laws shall
be, BE it enacted by the people Of the
State of Maine"
.l,x'
amended as follows, namely, by ins"ft-
ing in Section l after the words "bcn-
niaIly" and Gin the second line thereof
the words with the exceptions here
matter stated, so that said section
shall read as amended:
The Legislature shall convene on ;h-
first Wednesday Of January. bi"inialtE
and with tn" exceptions hereinafter
stated. shall have full power {" ~ Il
ard establish al reasonable laws HnI
regulations for the defense ami b"m'ij
of the people of this State. not r"pu9-
nant to this constitution nor to that "t
the United States.
Part third of ArticI" Four is further
amended by adding TO said article the
following sections To b" numbered from
16 to - inclusive, namely,
Section 1G NJ act or resolution Ut
the Legislature shall take effect until
30 days after the recess of th3 LcglSla-
tutc passing it, unless in case of emer-
Gency, (Which with the facts CONSTITUTE
ing the emergency shall be expressed IN
the preamble of the actD the Lcgisl;i-
lures shall. by il vote of two-thirdS OF
al! the members elected TO each house,
otherwise direct. An emergency bill
shall include only such measures as are
Immediately necessary for the prescr-
walton of the public peace. health. or
safety. ana appropriations for payne mt
of salaries fixed by law and for pay
mcnt of the EXPENSES of the LcgiSla-
turc: and shall not include CD an in
fringement OF home rule for munich
palities, CD a franchise or license to a
or an individual to extend
longer than one year. or 60 provision
for the sale or purchase or renting for
more than five years of real estate.
Section l.. Upon written petition of
not less than seven thousand electors.
q addressed to the Governor and filed III
the office of the secretary of STATE
within 80 days after the recess of the
Legislature requesting that one or
more acts bills resolutions or part or
parts thereof passed by the Legislature
but not then in effect by reason of the
provisions OF the proceeding section,
be referred to the people, such acts,
ills. resolutions or part or parts there
of as are specified in such petition snail
lou Of
same shall have been ratified by a ma
iority of the electors voting thereon
at general or special election. AS
soon as ii appears that the effect OF
any act bill or resolution, or part or
parts thereof has been suspended by
petition in manner aforesaid the Gov
ernor by public proclamation shall give
notice thereof and of the time when
such measure il to be voted upon by
the people, which shall be at the next
general election not less than 60 days
after such proclamation. or III case
of no general election within Is months
thereafter the Governor, may, and If
l 1000 electors petition therefor shall
OF DER such measure submitted to the
people at a special election not less
than four months after his proclama
ton thereof.
Section IS. The electors may pro-
pose to the Legislature for its consid-
Grafton any bill or resolution. including
bill to amend or repeal emergency .eS-
iSlation but not an amendment of the
State constitution. either by paster at
tached TO tine official ballot at a general
election held within the year previous
to the session OF the Legislature, Or
by a written petition addressed to the
Legislature or to the branch thereof
and filed in the Office of secretary of
State or, presented to either branch Of
the Legislature at least so days befo.-
the close of the session. Any measure
thus proposed By not less than 10000