Los Angeles herald., 1907-10-06

yUy TWENTIETH century theories OF govern
lIul ment and the concrete ideas of the fresh
/ and cosmopolitan civilization of the
| u southwest have combined in the new
constitution of the state-to-be Of Oklahoma In
producing fundamental law for the FORTY,
sixth commonwealth which is novel. radical
and intensely democratic says the Chicago
Record Herald.
Because of the marked step in advance of
any other state constitution in respect to the
new states position as to corporations and as
to politico-social questions. classed as dreams
| in many of the older members OF the national
sisterhood. the document has attracted unusual
attention in all sections Of the nation.
As the first state constitution to be drafted
since the new century has dawned and as
consultation formulated directly by COM
munity to which every congressional district In
the United States has contributed at least one
member, the Oklahoma constitution commands
scrutiny from the capitalist and the laporing
man, from the politician and the everyday citi-
zen. 1t is surprise package to any student
OF its manifold provisions.
The constitution was adopted by over
whelming vote of the people at the constitutinal
election September II. 1t will be laid before
President Roosevelt for his approval and sig
nature 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 documents by the
term of the enabling act. 1t has been rumored
persstently that President Roosevelt Will
withhold his approval.
The reason for such action by the executive.
as 1t intimated repeatedly by Republican
campaign orators in the prediction canvass,
lies in what they termed the drastic, ultra
radical and revolutionary attitude of the con-
stitution toward business interests in general.
Strikingly important and thoroughly new, so
far as state constitutions CO. Oklahoma has
provided among other items for Its scheme Oh
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 own
ing any productive agency of a natural COM
modify.
Prohibition of corporations from owning more
land than is absolutely necessary in the ope-
ration of their business.
Prohibition of watered stock and provision
that the bookS Of all corporations shall be open
to examination at any time.
Prohibition of the employment of children
| under 10 years of age in factories and mines
II Abrogation of the fellow servant law
| Elective state corporation commission with
complete supervision of all corporations.
Two-cent railway fares.
Labor and arbitration commission with COM
pulsory powers.
Agricultural commission
Oil, gas and mineral commission
Prohibition for twenty-one years in the pres
ent Indian territory and all Indian reservations
and statewide prohibition for the entire state
as voted on a special ballot.
Eight-hour day.
Establishment of a state printing plant.
At the outset the state declares itself to be
an inseparabe part of the federal Union, ano
the terms of the congressional act are observed
by disclaiming for the state any right to un-
appropriated public lands within the twin ter
ritories Oklahoma territory's debts are as
sumed by the state, and it is specially pro
vided that separate schools may be provided
for white and colored children.
The bill of rights provides that three-fourths
OF jury may render verdict IN all civi
cases, and in criminal cases less than a fel
ony 1t is provided that there shall be no i'm
munity to persons agents of corporations or
the ground that testimony given may tend Y
incrimnate him.
| The legislature shall enact laws creating ar
election board not more than majority Of
whose members shall be selected from the
| same political party, and this board shall pro
vide the time and manner OF holding all eiec
| tions, general and primary and at any tims
the federal constitution shall permit shall pro
vide for the election of United States senators
| by direct vote of the people.
| Legislative authority is vested in a senate o.
| fcrty-four members and a house of representa-
| tives to consist of notsmore than 100 members
| The people expressly reserve to themselves thu
| power to propose laws and amendments TO TN
| constitution and to enact or reject the same a
| the polls Independent of the Legislature, an'
| also reserve power at their own option to ap'
prove or reject at the poiis any ACT oi th'
! Legislature.
This is the initiative and referendum. ant
| follows in principle the New Zealand law ant
lNs almost identical with the initiative ant
referendum amendment to the Oregon consti
| tuition lately adopted in that state Eight pc
| cent of the legal voters shall have the r1gh
to propose amendments to the constitution D!
| petition The referendum may be ordered, ex
| cept as to laws necessary for the immediate
| preservation of the public peace, health o
safety by petition signed by per cent OF tn
| legal voters or by the legislature itself INT
| ratio and per centum are based upon the tota
vote cast at the preceding election for tn
state office receiving the highest number O
votes. -. =
Referendum petitions must be filed withil
ninety days after the adjournment OF the legis
| lature. and the legislature or the governor ma
| order a special election for such reference
! The veto power of the governor is Withdrawn
| from measures voted on by the people IN
referendum may be demanded against one
| more items, sections or parts Of an act and J
| may be extended to counties and districts OF
| local matters
! Apportionment Of senators and representa-
| tiyes follows the Missouri plan, which re
| stricts the membership from the larger cities
The legislature is empowered to estaoiisn
state printing plant. 1t shall dehne wnat
an unlawful combination monopoly, trust &C