The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-27

1NeHtelu century theories or BONefn-
 ment and the concrete ideas of the fresh
 and cosmopolitan civilization of the south
 west have combined in the new consti-
 tution of the state-to-be of Oklahoma in
 producing a fundamental law for the
 forty-sixth commonwealth which is novel,
 radical and intensely democratic
 Because of the marked step in advance
 of any other state constitution in re- spect to the new states position as to cor porations and as to politico-social ques-
 tions, classed as dreams in many of the
 older members of the national sisterhood,
 the document has attracted unusual at tention in all sections of the nation.
 As the first state constitution to be drafted since the new century has dawned and as a constitution formulated direct ly by a community to which every con- gressional district in the United States
 has contributed at least one member, the ORfhoma constitution commands scruti- ny from the capitalist and the labor ing man, from the politician and the
 everyday citizen. It is a surprise package to any student of it's manifold provisions The constitution was adopted by an overwhelming vote of the people at the | will be laid before President Roosevelt for his approval and signature as soon as the official canvassing board computes the returns and forwards the result and an engrossed copy of the constitution to Washington. The President is granted twenty days for consideration of the ddc- ument by the term of the enabling act 1t has been fumored consistently that
 President Roosevelt will withhold his ap- proval.
 The reason for such action by the exec utive, as it was intmated repeatedly by republican campaign orators in the pre- election canvass, liei in what they term ed the drastic, ultra radical and revolu- tionary attitude of the constitution to-
 ward business interests in general. Strikingly important and thoroughly new, so far as state constitutions go Oklahoma has provided, among other items for it's scheme of government these:
 Direct legislation through the initiative and referendum.
 Nomination of all state county. district
 and township officers by direct primaries Prohibition of succession in office to state officers.
 Prohibition of railway corporations from
 owning any productive agency of a natural commodity. Prohibition of corporations from owning
 more land than is absolutely necessary in the operation of their business Prohibition of watered stock and pro- vision that the books of all corporations shall be open to continuation at any time Prohibition of the employment of chil- dren under 15 years of age in factories and mines
 Abrogation of the fellow servant law. Elective state corporation commission with complete supervision of all corpora tions.
 Labor and arbitration commission with compulsory powers
 Agricultural commission, oil, gas and mineral commission. Prohibition for twenty-one years in the present Indian Territory and all Indian reservations and statewide prohibition | for the entire state as voted on a special l ballot.
 Eight-hour day
 Establishment of a state printing plant
 At the outset the state declares itself to
 be an inseparable part of the federal Union, and the terms of the congressional 1 act are observed by disclaiming for the state any right to unappropriated public lands within the twin territory Oklahoma Territory's debts are assumed by the
 state, and it is specially provided that separate schools may be provided for Nlillp rHd CpApi GU The bill of rights provides that three
 fourths of jury may render verdict in all civil cases, and in criminal cases less than felony. It is provided that there
 shall be no immunity to persons or
 agents of corporations on the ground that ! testimony given may tend to incriminate him.
 The legislature shall enact laws ere atlni1 an election board not more than a majority of whose ShaD hA lected from the same political party, and this board shall provide the time and manner of holding all elections, general and primary, and at any time the federal l constitution shall permit shall provide for
 the election of United States senators by
 direct vote of the people.
 Legislative authority is vested in a senate of fortyfour members and a house of representatives. to consist of not more
 than 109 members The people expressly
 reserve to themselves the power to pro-
 pose laws and amendments to the con
 stitution and to enact or reject the same at the polls Independent of the legislature
 and also resolve power at their own op- ton to approve or reject at the polls any act of the legislature
 | This is the initiative and referendum ! and follows in principle the New Zealan nd law, and is almost identical with the
 initiative and referendum amendment of the Oregon constitution lately adopted in
 that state. Eight per cent of the legal
 voters shall have the right to propose
 amendments to the constitution by peti-
 ton. The referendum may be ordered, i except as to laws necessary for the i'm
 mediate preservation of the public peace, health or safety, by petition signed by per cent of tho legal voters or by the l legislature itself. The ratio and per centum are based upon the legal vote
 cast at the preceding election for the
 state office receiving the highest number of votes.
 Referendum petitions must be filed
 within ninety days after the adjournment 1 of the legislature, and the legislature or l the governor may order special election 1 for such reference. The veto power of 1 the governor is withdrawn iron, measures | voted on by the people. The referendum | may be demanded against one or more | items, sections or parts of an act. and 1t 1 may extend to counties and districts on l local matters.
 l Apportonment of senators and repre- l senta tives follows the Missouri plan, 1 which restricts the membership from the 1 larger cities.
 1 The legislature is empowered to estab- 1 fish state printing plant. It shall ds- 1 fine what is an unlawful combination, l monopoly, trust. act or agreement in re- i straint of trade and enact laws to punish
 persons engaged in such unlawful com- i bination.