The Detroit times., 1908-08-08
NEW CONSTITUTION
HAS STRONG TONE
OF REFORM
HOME RULE AND FRANCHISE PRO-
VISIONS ARE OF SPECIAL INTER
EST TO DETRolTERs-sUM-
MARY OF PROPOSED CHANGE.

While there was mucn pupHci'y
given the revision OF the constitution
during the winter when the consutu-
tional convention was In session. many
persons have not retained a definite
idea OF the many changes In the or
ganic law of the state which are
contemplated.
To give this information summary
Is printed below OF the important al
terations In the new instrument. Many
OF these, such as the provisions lor
acquiring public utilities. are OF par
ticular interest TO Detroit. The nome
rule provision Is also one that anects
the large cities more particularly,
1, wing them the right TO revise their
charters instead OF having the legisia'
ture do so.
II was the aim OF the constitutional
convention to lay down general prln-
cipals rather than to !egislate for the
state. Thus. many matters on when
there was a notable public sentiment
have been left TO the legislature, the
idea being that error in legislation
can be quickly remedied while error
In the constitution Is bard to oplter'
ate.
The present constitution was drawn
nm in 1850, being q revision OF the
constitution OF 1887. Some OF the in'-
nortant proposed changes follow:
rhe elimination of the state census
No local or special act OF the lexis
| lature can be passed In any case WV
general act can be MAGE e take ef.
! feet until approved by majority OF
the electors voting thereon In 'he us
trict to be anected .un INN.
| All legislation shall be by Dill w,
| preventing loose or hasty LEGISLATION
| by Joint or concurrent resolution,
No bill shall be passed or become q
10 w at any regular session or the ltkis
iature until such bill has been printed
and in the possession OF each house TOT
at least Ave days ,,,s,o
The representatives IN ,ht ssoo
ture are placed upon salary OF heou
for the term, with q proviso that Whth
convened In extra session their com
pensation Shall be Ave dollars per uuy
for the first twenty days and nothins
thereafter.
The local governments are granted
enlarged powers.
A liberal scheme OF nome ruIe aU'
cities and villages has been incorpor-
Under safe restrictions cities and
| villages may operate public us.il.les
being first authorized by the amrma-
tive vote OF three-fifths OF the electors
voting thereon.
The elective franchise Is extended TO
women upon questions which seek 10
impose direct taxes upon their proper
Committees Of the legislature are
placed under the control OF q majorlny
of that body. thereby subjecting biils
and measures in the hands or commt
tees to the control OF majority vote
OF either house.
vide a system OF uniform accounting
by all state officials, boards and insti-
tutions, and by all county officials.
The governor Is vested with power TO
veto specific items In appropriation
bills.
Provision is made for the taxation Of
the property OF express. telephone,
any other public service business.
The general supervision OF the Agri,
control OF It's funds is vested in the
| state board OF agriculture.
Provision Is made for the election
by the people OF a state board OF asri-
supersede the present method or APP
| pointment by the governor.
II Is provided that corporate fran
chises can not he granted for longer
| term than thirty years.
No state money shall be deposited In
banks other than those organized under
the national or state banking laws.
No state money shall he deposited in
any bank In excess OF nifty per cent OF
the capital and surplus OF such bank.
II Is provided that any bank receiv-
ing deposits OF state money shall show
the amount OF the state money 40 de-
posted as n seunrte Item In all pub
llshed statements.
The legislature is authorized TO pro-
| vide for the reforestation OF state
lands.
School districts are permitted to edu-
cate their children In neighborinR dis
| tricts and draw their proportion OF the
| primary school money.
Trust companies are subjected to the
provisions OF the banking law.
Authority IL granted the Legislature
to delegate power TO n commission to
| TX just and reasonable charges for
the transportation OF property by rail-
rond companies and express companies.
| Provision is made for the submission
/ OF CONSTITUTIONAL amendments to a vote
| OF the people upon the petition of
twenty rer cent of the electors voting
at the last preceding election for Sec
rotary of state.
The Legislature Is authorized to sub
NIT any act passed by IL and approved
1 by the governor 10 vote ~ the people
and II Ia provided that unless such act
\ receives the vote OF n majority OF the
electors voting thereon II shall not be-
come law.