The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-10-16
FEATURES OF NEW cONSTIrU-
TloN
Some Things That are In Document
That are Not in Old One.

constitution which Will be submitted
to the electors in November and
which are not in the present consti-
tuition of Michigan:
Women taxpayers to be permitted
to vote on all questions involving the
direct expenditure Of public money
or the issue of bonds.
Abohshes the decennial state CEN
sus and provides that the senatorial
apportionment every ten years shall
be based on the federal census.
Increases the salaries of lower pc
ninsular legislators from SO a day
and upper peninsula legislators from
SIS to $500 for the legislative term.
Provides that majority of either
house of the legislature may take a
bill away from an unfriendly COM
mittee to which it has been referred
and which is trying to smother it.
Provides that no bill shall be pass
ed or become law at regular session
possession of each house at least
| five days.
Forbids the legislature giving i'm
mediate effect to any act except ap-
preparation acts and acts necessary
for the preservation of the public
health and safety. All others must
not go into effect until ninety days
| after passage.
Forbids the legislature passing
any local or special act where gen.
eral act can be made applicable and
whether a general act can be made
applicable shall be judicial ques-
ton. But no local or special act can
be made applicable until approved by
a majority of the electors.
Vests authority in the governor to
veto specific items in appropriation
bills.
Authorizes the legislature to en-
act law sanctioning a trial by jury
of less than twelve men.
Confines the lieutenant governor
strictly to the duties of presiding
over the senate without a vote or
voice in debate.
Adds the attorney general to the
board of state auditors which now
comprises the secretary of state,
state treasurer and commissioner of
the state land Office.
Provides that all fees collected by
the clerk of the supreme court be
covered into the state treasury and
that he be paid a fixed salary.
Justices of the supreme court must
give their reasons in writing in all
decisions in mandamus, quo warranto
certiorari and orders to show cause
proceedings as we'll as all others.
Four terms of circuit court must
be held in every county.
Authorizes the Legislature to ar
range the various judicial circuits
into judicial districts and to provide
the manner of holding courts therein
Specially provides that probate
courts shall have original jurisdic-
ton in all cases of juvenile delin-
quents and dependents.
Authorizes the legislature to pro-
vide for more than one probate judge
in cities of over 100000 inhabitants.
Authorizes the legislature to APP
point courts of Cancellation and arbi-
tration.
Authorizes the trial court in the
case of an offender without means to
not only provide for defense, but for
an appeal to the supreme court from
conviction.
Allows boards of supervisors in
counties assessed at over 100000
600 to levy tax of one-tenth of
mill without submission to the cleo
ors for he immediate construction or
repair of public buildings or bridges
Counties under $10,000,000 can
raise not to exceed $1,000 the same
way for similar purposes.
Vests in supervisors boards the
exclusive right to fix salaries of all
county officers not otherwise provid-
ed for by law.
Allow appeals to be taken to the
against a county and who are dis
satisfied with the amount allowed by
the supervisors board or by the
board or by the board of auditors.
Authorizes one county, or several
Jointly, to appropriate money to build
and maintain tuberculosis or other
hospitals for treatment of persons
suffering from contagious diseases.
Requires the Legislature to provide
a law for "a jury commission in every
county.
Prohibits the granting of a public
utility franchise by a township which
is not subject to revocation at the
will Of the township, unless such
proposition shall have been ratified
by a majority of the taxpaying cleo
tors voting thereon.
A home rule section which reads
1.-THE legislature shall provide by
general laws for the incorporation of
cities and villages. Such general
laws shall limit their rate of taxation
for municipal purposes. and restrict
their powers Of borrowing money
and contracting debts. Under such
general laws the electors of each city
and village shall have authority to
frame, adopt and amend dts own
charter. and through it's regularly
constituted authority to pass all laws
and ordinances relating to municipal
concerns, subject to the constitution
and geeral laws of the state"
Allows municipalities to acquire
and operate public utilities If three
fifths of the taNpaying electors voting
thereon vote in the affirmative; the