The Springdale news., 1918-04-26
WOULD REVISE THE
 STATE CONSTITUTION
Constitutional Convention Committees Hold Five-Day Session and Advo- cate Many Changes.
By Clio Harper.

J proposals have been completed and submitted to President Tom NJ. Me hafty, to be turned over to the Com mlttees on Conificatior and Phrase ology, which will put them into shape for the consideration of the Conven- ton when it reassembles in July.
 President Mehaffy says that he con- slders the work done by the commit tees as very thorough and eonscien- tlous, and that the proposed Constitu- ton has many improvements over the present document.
 There are few outstanding fea- lures of the Constitution upon which all appear agreed. Chief of these is change of the term of office for all county, district and state officers from two to four years. The Judiciary Committee provides that justices of the Supreme Court shall serve eight years and chaneellors six years.
 Among the features of the propos- als in the hands of President Mehaf- fy are the following:
 For ouadrennial sessions of the Legislature, the sessions to continue at 6O-days, and the members to re- eelve S6 day for their services while in actual session.
 
 That the Senate be reduced from 35 members to not less than Is nor more than 25, and the House of Representa- tives from 100 to not less than 35 nor more than 50.
 Until otherwise provided for, one Senator is to be elected from each of the present Judicial Circuits as now constituted, and one Representative from each of the present Senatorial Districts.
 The office of Commissioner of Mines, Manufactures and Agriculture is to be divided, and provision is made for the Commissioner of Mines, Min ing and Manufactures, and Commis- sioner of Agriculture and Horticul- ture.
 No restriction shall hereafter be placed upon the right of suffrage or holding office on account of sex.
 Strict regulations are provided that, it is believed, will make statewide prohibition absolutely puncture- proof
 The contract rate of interest is to be reduced from 10 to s per cent, but whether illegal contracts shall be penalized by the forfeiture of interest and principal, as now provided, or of interest only, IS still mooted point.
 A law for the protection of bank de- posits shall be passed.
 Provision is made for Board of Pardons, consisting of state officers, also a Budget Committee of State of ficers
 The Oregon plan of Initiative and Referendum is adopted with a few minor changes. Counties are not glv- en the power of initiative The recall was rejected
 Provision is made for the enactment of laws providing for a graduated land tax.
 The salary of the Governor is rais- ed to S7,500, and the salaries of other State officers are raised, until they may be fixed by the Legislature.
 Cities are given the power of issu- ing bonds for internal improvements, upon vote of the people.
 All warrants hereafter issued shall be numbered eonseeutively and re- deemed in the order of their issuance.
 Taxation for highways connecting county seats shall be assessed against both personal and real property.
 The Legislature is given authority to enact Workmen's Compensation Law.
 Provision is made for the office of Lieutenant Governor, who shall be President of the Senate, and become Governor in the event of the disablll- ty of that official
 Absolute prohibition of all local legislation where a general law Will serve the purpose is provided.
 The operation of no general law shall be suspended for the benefit of any individual, corporation or assocla- tion.
 No changes are suggested Tn the existing laws for the regulation of inn provement districts.
 There shall be Board of Educa- tion of seven members to be appointed by the Governor, the presiding offlcer being the Commissioner of Education, the manner of whose selection shall be left to the Legislature.
 The proposal for, State Board of Health is as follows: "The General Assembly shall have the power to pro vide by law for a State Board of Health, and to delegate to such Board when created power to enact and en- f =. -,,oh reasonable ruleS and reg