The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1908-06-12
ADDRESS TO PEOPLE,
OF the State of Michigan Sub
uniting the Proposed Re-
vision of the Present
Constitution.

adopt an address to the people of tn,
state explaining the proposed change:
in the present constitution, and the
reason for such changes, and such 9th
er matters as TO the convention shall
seem advisable"
In compliance with the foregoing
provision the people OF the state Of
Michigan are invited TO consider g
proposed revision of the existing con
sttution. 1t will appear that the re-
vised instrument follows closely tn,
lines of the present constitution. II
will be found that the changes pro-
posed are either necessary or eXpedi-
ent 10 meet new conditions, or TO make
more certain the provisions Of the con-
stitution of 1850. Since the latter year
Michigan has grown from less than
400,0 900 people TO a great agricultural
mining, manufacturing, industrial and
commercial community of more than
$500, 900 inhabitants. The cons bitution
of 1850 has remained the organic law
of the state for fifty-eight years. Our
society has grown vastly more COM
plicated it's activities multiplied, its
structure changed; every interest af-
fecting its development and minister
ing TO it's needs and welfare has been
deepened and broadened. The agencies
OF production and distribution have in
creased a thousand fold.
The assessed wealth of the state has
increased from less than thirty mil
lions in 1850 to more than sixteen hun
dred and fifty-four millions in 1907
figures which forbid comprehension.
The city OF Detroit contains a larger
population today than did the entire
state Of Michigan in 1850. The mar
veous growth of the intervening years
Is thus portrayed and emphasized By
reason Of this growth and transforma-
tion the constitution adopted fifty light
years ago naturally admits of bene-
fetal revision and material amend
ment.
In the revised constitution the old
framework OF government is most
carefully preserved. No structural
changes are proposed. The historic
safeguards Of life, liberty and prop
erty remain, with here and there a
word or line to make those guarantees
more ample and certain. 1t is believed
that the efficiency Of the state govern
ment, by the adoption OF the amend
ments proposed, will be materially in
creased and better adapted to the re-
qurements of the present day. The
convention has applied its work to
questions of a fundamental nature as
closely as possible, only deviating
therefrom in cases exceptional in char
acter or demanding revision by reason
OF changed conditions. 1t has been the
aim Of the convention to leave matters
purely Legislative in character to be
dealt with by the Legislature as public
opinion may demand from time to time
1t was early recognized and fully APP
preciated by the convention that
ERROR in the constitution may con-
tinue indefinitely, while ERROR in
legislation admits of speedy correc-
ton.
Tho ra,,;eion &c ob;aa,, J;.+,,o =
by certain new provisions deserving
particular mention by reason of their
obvious Importance. The following are
specified:
a. The elimination of the state CEN
sus; (Sec. 4, Art. V, Revision).
(2) No local or special act of the leg
islature can be passed in any case
where a general act can be made APP
picable; (Sec. 80, Art. " Revision).
go No local or special act shall take
effect until approved by majority of
the electors voting thereon in the dis
trict to be affected; (Sec. 30, Art. V,
Revision).
(4.) All legislation shall be by bill,
thus preventing loose or hasty legisla-
ton by joint or concurrent resolution;
(Sec. 10, Art V, Revision).
Co.. No bin shall be passed or be-
come a law at any regular session of
the legislature until such bill has been
printed and in the possession of each
house for at least five days; (Sec. %,
Art. V, Revision).
(6) The representatives in the legis-
lature are placed upon a salary of
$S0000 for the term, with proviso that
when convened i'm extra session their
compensation shall be five dollars per
day for the first twenty days and moth
ing thereafter; (Sec. 9, Art. V, Revi-
sion).
CD The local governments are
granted enlarged powers (See Art
VIII, RevisiOn).
8.) a liberal scheme of home rule
for cities and villages has been incor-
porated; (Sec. p, Art. VIII, Revision).
90 Under safe restrictions cities and
villages may operate public utilities,
being first authorized by the affirma-
tive vote of three fifths Of the electors
voting thereon; (Secs. %, % and "a
Art. VIII, Revision).
00) The elective franchise is ex-
tended to women upon questions which
seek 20 impose direct taxes upon their
property (Sec. 4, Art. III, Revision;
Sec. %, Art VIII, Revision).
Q1) Committees of the legislature
are placed under the control Of a ma
jority OF that body, thereby subjecting
bills and measures in the hands of
committees to the control of a majority
vote OF either house; (Sec. 10, Art. ",
Revision).
Q2.) The legislature Is required TO
provide system of uniform account
ing by all state officials, boards and
institutions, and by all county officials;
(Sec. IS, Art. X, Revision).
OBJ The governor is vested with
power TO veto specific items in appro-
priation bills; (Sec 81, Art. V, Revi-
sion).
G4.) Provision is made for the tax
alton of the property Of express, tele-
phone, telegraph, freight and other car
companies, and all corporations en-
gagged in any other public service BUSH
ness; (Sec 8, Art. Y. Revision).
O5) The general supervision Of the
Agricultural College and the direction
and control of its funds is vested in
the state board OF agriculture; (Sec.
8, Art. XI, Revision).
(16) Provision is made for the cleo
ton by the people of a state board OF
agriculture to consist of SIX members
20 supersede the present method of ap-
pointment by the governor; (Sec z,
Art. XI, Revision).
Q7) II is provided that corporate
franchises can not be granted for a
longer term than thirty years; (Sec. g..
Art. XII, RevisiOn).
G8) No state money shall be de-
posted in banks other than those or