The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-11-03

ncTlbed b. TIE existing constitution.
which is ne fundamental iaw. II ss-
aentiai mandatory provisions Of me or
rauic iaw are ignored IN amending
the constitution Of the stats. aad vital
elements ~ a valid amendment are
omitted. IL violates the right ~ All the
people % the state 90 Euvernment REG
ulafed by Law. u Is the duty ~ TIE
courts Ia authorized proceedlnEa 20
give effect 20 the existing constitution.
The proposal of amendments 90 the
constitution a. highly important
function ~ government. that would be
performed with the greatest certainty,
efficiency. care and deiiboration. Wita
this IA view. the organic law confers
this preroEafive exclusively upon the
legislature. SOVEREIGN deliheratlFe
body. ana a coordinate department 81
the state government whose acts are
independent of the other Department.
and subject only 20 the limitations
contained IN the fundamental organic
law uf the land. The provisions oi
the constitution mandatorilY require
amendments OF the constitution 10 BE
proposed b. either house 81 ne legis-
iafure In regular session and 90 he
9aareed 20 ~ three nftha II an the
members elected - each house" Of taa
Legislature These requirements clear
ii contemplate mat such amendments
shall ~ agreed 20 ~ the dellherntlve
auaf Affirmative vote ~ the REQUESTS
number ~ the members of eaca house
~ the legislature duly token AZ =
regular session.
Every word ~ a state constitution
should be given tts intended moanina
and effect. and essential provisions 81
a constitution are 70 be reEarded a.
mandatory.
The constitution expressly provides
thar each house shall DE-.
termine the rules o. its proceedings.
and also taat. "A majority az eaet
house shall constitute a quorum 20 d
business and also fha'. Each housf
shall Keep iournal Of So own pro
ceeainra. which shall be published
I IRE provision that cach house "shai
determine fhe rules ~ tts proceedings.
does not restrict the power given =
7 tha mere formulation o. standing rules
Or 20 ire proceedings ~ the body ir
ordinary legislative matters. but d
4 The absence % constitutional restraints
and when exercised BY majority ~ q
I constitutional quorum, such authority
extends q the determination ~ th'
I 1ropriefy and effect 81 any action "a
/ Il n taken b. che body aa b. proceed.
in the exercise ~ any power. in So
I transaction az any business. nr in 80
! performance ~ any duty couferre'
uron ID hr the constitution. This. 81
/ course. Includes authority subject q
Y the constitution. tn determine ~
rules ~ procedure ~ Do observed u
I agreeing 20 proposed amendments q
I the constitution. ard embraces IN
Z right % determine the decentralization
az action taken. waen no provision q
the Constitution 81 thereby violated
see United States vf. Balm. iff Z
s.. q. rs SUP c. Rep. 501
The tive important vital element
in any constitutional amendment ar
the assent ~ two-thirds ~ the leEis
I iaturs and ma fority ~ the popuia
I vote Beyond these. other provision
are mere machinery AMI forms. The
NAV not be diFreenrdcd. because p
them certainty az 70 essentials are 90
I cured. huf they are not themselves N
/ essentials Constitutional prohibition
Z amendment eases. "a kas. TOO cite
hv thls. court with approval IN ives