The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-01-29
AMENDMENTS
TO CONSTITUTION
up THIS WEEK
Registration Change Impor-
tant Measure to be Consid-
cred by State Legislature.

INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 29.-The In
diana senate probably will devote all
of Thursday to a consideration Of the
amendments to the state constitution.
Senator Van Auken's amendment pro-
viding that the legislature may COM
pei registration of voters in cities OF
over $4,000 and his other one provid-
ing that vters must show a poll tax
before entering the booths will be re-
ported out of committee with out rec
ommendation. This course will also
be adopted on Senator Smiths amend
ment authorizing an income tax law.
Nineteen proposed amendments to
the state constitution in the form OF
joint resolutions have been introduced
in the Indiana legislature so far this
session. Final action of the majority
of them still is awaited. The resolu-
tons by number and a brief outline of
what they propose follow:
Senate Resolution No. 16, provides
that negroes be permitted to join the
state militia, the provision being
made by striking out the word white"
from the constitutional militia clause.
Resolution No. II, would simplify
adoption of constitutional amend
ments by providing that amendments
may be proposed at a regular session
in either branch of the legislature and
if agreed to by two-thirds of the mem
hers of each house shall be submitted
to the next general election and shall
be adopted on a two-thirds vote.
Resolution No. Is provides for the
appointment of clerks of the supreme
court by the supreme court judges.
Resolution No. 10 would permit the
intendent of public instruction, it's adj
vocates saying it is designed to take
the office out of politics.
Budget Provision.
Resolution No. 20 would tend to
simplify the registration law by div
iding counties into classes for the op-
GRAFTON of the law and to exempt GER
tain counties therefrom.
Resolution No. q provides for clas-
sification by the general assembly of
property for taxation.
Resolution No. % empowers the gov.
ernor to veto items in bills appropriate
ing money. Now veto of an appro-
priatiOn bill affects the entire mea-
sure.
Resolution No. % would provide a
budget system for the state executive
department.
Resolution No. "A provides that the
terms of all state officers shall be
four years, except those of supreme
court judges.
Resolution No. 25 would make four
year terms for county officers of sher-
if, clerk, auditor, recorder treasurer,
coroner and surveyor. 1t provides fur
further that no one shall hold these
offices for two consecutive terms.
Resolution No. 26 would make the
term of county prosecuting attorney
four years.
Resolution No. 81 provides that the
general assembly may fix the qualifi
cation of persons practicing law
Court Changes.
Resolution No. % provides that the
supreme court shall consist of not
fewer than three nor more than thir-
teen judges, who may be divided into
groups of three by the general assem-
| bly,. The concurrence of majority
! of such court would be necessary for
! the decision in all cases. Terms OF
| office, to be fixed by the general as
| sembly, would not be less than six
| years nor exceed twelve years.
Resolution No. 20 would legalize the
| levying of a tax on incomes, and per
nit the legislature to create such a
| state tax.
Resolution No. 80 provides for wo
man suffrage and bars aliens from
voting.
Resolution No. 81 would provide
that the salary Of a public official and
| his term shall not be increased during
/ his incumbency.
Resolution No. 80 provided for en-
| reimbursement of women and barred
aliens from the polls. This was killed
to give preference to another similar
one introduced by Senator Beardsley
Resolution No. 33 would authorize
the state legislature to provide for
registration of voters in cities having
a population of $4,000 or more.
/ Resolution No. "a provides that nc
person can vote without showing a
poll tax receipt. 1t also contains a
literacy test by requiring all voters
be able to read in English, Section 2
| Article 2, of the state constitution.