The true northerner., 1909-01-08

cSco .l point is the probable desire
of the city OF Detroit to change its
present sys EN- of a single commits
sioner I'm charge OF its police depart
ment to a boa. Of three or more COM
missioners This can only be done by
charter amendment or by the enact
ment Of a general law applicable to
the entire state. Henry M. Campbell.
a lawyer of acknowledged ability, who
was a member OF the convention which
framed the new constitution. says that
in the first instance II would he neces-
sary TO wait until the legislature de-
cides how cities may secure new char
ters or amend existing ones and pro-
ceed under the method provided by the
general law.
No Classification of Cities.
In the second case il would be neces-
sary to enact a general law applicable
to all the cities of the state. There
can be no classification of cities under
the new constitution, and law Great
ing four-man police board for Detroit
must of necessity create one for all the
incorporated cities of the state. 1t Is
certain, in Mr.. Campbell's mind, that
the legislature cannot pass any act
applying especially to Detroit.
/ mention this matter simply to illus
trate what a radical departure the new
constitution makes In this one impor-
tant particular. Heretofore there wera
enacted about as many different acts
on a given subject as there are cities
In the state.
Possibly the greatest controversy OF
the session will be that incident to the
framing of a law providing a large
measure Of home rule for the munich
palities Of the state. The new consti-
tuition provides that no public utili y
corporation shall transact business In
any city, village or township without
a franchise This franchise must be
submitted to the people under the ref
erendum. All the machinery surround
ing the submission Of these matters to
the people must be provided by the
Legislature and 1t goes without saying
that all persons interested on either
side of the question will endeavor to
have a part in the framing Of the law.
Salaries of Circuit Judges.
The old constitution fixed the sal
aries of judges of circuit courts at 81
500, to be paid by the state, giving GER
tain counties the privilege of making
such further payment from their own
funds as the county boards of super
visors saw fit TO allow TIE new con-
stitution is silent on this point. The
legislature. therefore, must fix e. Sc
salaries. 1t must also fix the sa, Try or
the clerk of the supreme court wko
for years, under the old constitution.
received the fees collected by him as
his compensation.
Women taxpayers are hereafter to
enjoy the same right to vote on ques-
tions involving the expenditure OF
| public funds, the issuing of bonds,
etc, as have heretofore been enjoyed
only by taxpayers of the sterner sex.
A statute covering this subject must
J be forthcoming.
Innumerable other questions which
arise out Of the adoption Of a new con-
stitution will come In for attention
and as they are all Of unusual impor-
| tance In view of the fact tnat the leg
islation enacted regarding them will
be pioneer legislation. II will be seen
that the lawmakers who will take hold
OF the job tomorrow will find that they
have important work on hand.
Attorney General viii Assist.
In the work of preparing the new
legislation, the lawmakers will have
the assistance Of the attorney gen.
eral, the constitution making 1t the
duty of this official to do this work.
Attorney General Bird and his assist
ants are prepared for the fray and
have already done considerable pre-
paratory work in this connection.
The senate and house caucuses for
the nomination of officials will be held
tonight and at noon tomorrow the two
bodies will convene and after the mem
bers are sworn in will elect and install
the officers nominated.
The old practice Of rushing bills
through the legislature without con-
sideration and on the simple say-so of
the legislators responsible for their in
PRODUCTION has been dumped into the
discard by the new constitution, which
provides every bill must be printed
and that no bill shall be considered
until five DAYS after 1t has been so
printed and placed on the desks Of the
members This is hoped 70 irs"~o 'ho
careful consideration Of every bill or
at least prevent the railroading OF
measures through the two houses.
Door Wide Open as Ever.
The new constitution, too, sought to
effectually do away with the old prac-
! tice of giving immediate effec, - a
large portion of the new legislation
enacted Attorney General Bird, how
ever, is of the opinion that the COM
mission was not sufficiently careful in
framing the provision designed to stop
this practice You will find" said the
attorney general in a recent interview,
that the door is as wide open as ever.
The constitution now rSovides that no
bill shall take effect until ninety DAYS