The Washington herald., 1907-03-25
new STATE 4 MODEL
0klahoma'S Constitution to
Be Most Modern of All.
IRON HAND TO CURB TRUSTS
Jury viii Convict.
Separate Schools for whites and
to Be ALoIished-Grand Jury Sys-
tenn Not Made Mandatory.

Guthrie, Okla. March 2.-Stringency in
its provisions for the regulation of cor
poFatlons is. perhaps. the most notable
feature Of the constitution for the new
state of Oklahoma. drafted by the conven-
ti0n. which has finished it's work here. In
line with its other corporation provisions
are the adoption Of 2-cent passenger fares,
electric lines not included. and the aboIi-
tion OF the doctrine of the fell0w-seryaRt
The Initiative and referendum is given
a prominent place in the constitution. but
the right Of recall. usually regarded as
practically a parallel proposition, was
turned down.
Separate schools for white and negro
children are provided in this provision; all
other races than negroes are classed as
white"
Prohibition is established in Indian Ter
ritory and the Indian reservations in Okla
homa for twenty-one years.
The State is given the right to engage
in any business or occupation. but the
grant is limited by the qualification that
it shall be for public purposes"
Trial by jury is granted IN contempt
cases for violations of injunctions or
orders Of restraint. and an opportunity
to be heard must be given on all con-
tempts before punishment is imposed
Three-fourths jury verdicts are provided
for in civil cases and criminal cases less
than felony. The grand jury system is
rot made mandatory Persons are grant
ed immunity from prosecution If their
testimony incriminates themselves.
Iroa Hand for Corporations.
Records. books, ana files Of all cor
poratlons shall be subject to fun vista
tion and inquisition. notwithstanding the
immunities and privileges conferred by
the bin of rights.
The legislature may provide for estab-
fishing dispensaries for the sale of liquor
for medicinal and Industrial purposes. and
Of denatured alcohol: also of alcoholic
spirits TO scientific institutions. universi-
ties, and colleges.
For every sale the applicant must make
"a sworn statement as. to the purpose for
which the liquor is to be used. and each
sale must be registered
The control of all public-serviee cor
porations is vested in a'cOrporstion com
mission of three members. elected by the
people for six-year terms Commission
ers are required to take an oath that
they are net interested directly or indi-
recty in any company which may come
under their supervision. All railroads.
oil, pipe. ear. express. telephone. or teIe-
graph lines are required TO receive and
transport each others business without
delay or discrimination. All railroads are
declared public highways. PubIe-service
corporations and their officials are pro-
hiblted from consolidating with or own
ing stock in any competing corporation
Wire Lines Made Common Carriers.
Transportation companies" are defined
as including railroads, street railways
canals, steamboat lines, freight-ear COM
panies, or car associations. express com
panies, and sleeping-car companies
Telegraph companies include tele-
graph and telephone lines, and both of
these classes are rated as common car
riers.
The common law doctrine of fellow
servant is abrogated as TO all railroad
street. CT interurbaD electric lines and
mining companies. and recovery may be
had as fully in cases where death occurs
as where IL does not.
The date of the election for the ratif-
cation OF the constitution is fixed for.
August 6. 1907. On the same DAY an cleo
tion is TO be held for all the elective
State. district. county. and township off,
GERS provided by the constitution and for
members of Congress.