The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1908-07-18
PROPOSED REVISION
OF THE
PRESENT CONSTITUTION
OF MICHIGAN.
ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE


The Act under which the Constitu-
tional Convention Of 1so7-s convened
provides that THE convention shall
before Its adjournment. prepare and
st SUp' an doress to the people Of the
IN the present constitution, and the rea
son for such changes, and such other
matters as to- the convention shall
8 In compliance with the oregoing pro-
vision the people of the State OF Michi-
gan are invited to consider q proposed
revision OF the existing constitution. II
follows closely the lines OF the present
constitution. II will be found that the
ehangss proposed are either necessary
or expedient. to meet new conditions, or
the constitution OF 1850. since the lat
ter year Michigan has grown from less
than 100000 people to q great agricul-
tural. mining. manufacturing. industrial
than 2.6oo.0o0 Inhabitants. The consti-
tuition OF 1850 has remained the organic
law OF the state for nfty-eight years.
Our society has growns vastly more
structure changed; every interest AFFECT
Ing Its development and ministerIng to
Its needs and welfare has been deepened
and broadened. The agencies OF pro-
. thousand fold.
The assessed wealth of the state has
increased from less than thirty mil
lions In 1850 to more than sixteen hum
ngureo which forbid comprehension.
The city OF Detroit contains q larger
population today than ola the entire
State Of Michigan in 1850. The marvel
Gus growth of the intervening years IL
thus portrayed and emphasized. BY
reason OF this growth and transforma-
ton the constitution adopted atty.
eight years ago naturally admits Of
he A6NfaI ravtainn n n nj arfal n m d.
ment.
In the revised constitution the old
framework Of government is most care
are proposed. The historic safeguards
Of life. liberty and property remain.
with here and there word or line to
make those guarantees more ample and
certain. 1t is believed that the eficien-
cy Of the state government, by the
adoption OF the amendments proposed,
will be materially increased and better
adapted to the requirements of the
piled its work to questions Of funda-
mental nature as closely as possible,
only deviating therefrom in cases ex-
ceptional In character OF demanding re-
II has been the aim OF the convention
to leave matters purely legislative in
character TO be dealt with by the legis-
lature as public opinion may demand
nised and fully appreciated by the con-
vention that error in the constitution
may continue Indefinitely, while error
IN legislation admits of speedy correc-
tion.
The.revision Is chiefly distinguished
by certain new provisions deserving
particular mention by reason OF their
obvious Importance. The following are
a.. The elimination of the state
census. (sec. 4. Art. v. Revision.)
CD No local or special act OF the
legislature can be passed in any case
plicable. (Sec. 80. Art ", .Revision.)
go No local or special act shall
take effect until approved by MAORI
district to be affected. isec. so. Art. v,
W.) All legislation shall be by BILL
thus preventing loose or hasty legisla-
tion by joint or concurrent resolution.
(Eec. 10, Art. ", Revision.)
CD No bill shall be passed or be-
come a law at any regular session Of
the legislature until such bill has been
house for at least five days. (Sec. 70,
Art. v, Revision-)
(s) The Representatives In the leg
islature are placed upon q salary Of
when convened IN extra session their
shall be five dollars per
day for the FIRST twenty days and moth
ing thereafter. tSec. >. Art. v. Revis-
(7.) The local governments are
granted enlarged powers. (See Art
VIII. Revislon.)
tS.) A liberal scheme for home-rule
porated. (Sec. II. Art. VIII. Revision.)
(9) Under safe restrictions cities
and villages may operate public utili-
ties. being nrst authorized by the az
electors voting thereon. (Secs- -. 23
and "a. Art VIII. Revislon.(
G0D The elective franchise Is ex-
seek to impose direct taxes upon their
property. (6ec. 4. Art. III. Revision;
Bee. rs. Art. VIII. Revision.)
CID. Committees OF the legislature
jority Of that body, thereby subJectinx
bills and measures In the hands Of COM
mittees to the control OF a majority
vote OF either house. tsec- IS. Art. v.
da.C The Legislature is required to
provide . system Of uniform accounting
by all state oficials, boards and insti-
t tst. ana BY all county ofieiais
(1s) The governor IL vested with
power to veto specific items in appro-
priation bills. (sec. 81. Art v. Revis-
li4.) Provision Is made for the tax
alton Of the property of express. tele-
phone. telegraph. freight and other car
and all corporations en-
8aBeo ia any OtHcr puDilc berVtCe ouBi-
ness. (Sec. 5, Art. x, Revision.)
l5.) The general supervision OF the
College and the direction
and control Of its funds IL vested in the
state &; board Of Agriculture tsec- :. Art.
I ilS.) Provision 10 made for the cleo
ton By the. people Of state board Of
agriculture to consist Of six members
20 supersede the present method of APP
pointment by the governor. (Bec. Z.
Art. XI, sHevfsion.) tr sn
: d7.) II IL provided that corporate
cannot be granted for, q
longer term than thirty years. (Sec. 3.
Art. XII. Revision.) gf
ue.) No state money shall be de-
posted In banks other than those or
ganised under the national or state
Banking laws. (6ec. IL. Art. X. Revis-
is) No state money sheii be depos-
tied in any bank In excess Of nifty per
cent Of the c:Pitel And ,vrpius Of such
{ (sol II IL provided snat any bank
receiving deposits Of state money shail
show the amount Of the state money 20
deposited a. q separate lten in all
Published statementsl (sec. ~. Art X.
al The legislature IL authorised TO
provide for the reforestation Of state
Ianda (0ec. ~. Art NJ ataA l.ss riis
(21) School districts are permitted
10 educate their children In neiGhbor-
Inn sistricts and draS their Prosecution
s.- ~Yy-~~~>