Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1920-07-19
CON CON PASSES
SEVERAL BILLS FOR
SECOND READINGS
BUSY SESSION AHEAD OF BODY
OF LAW MAKERS WHEN THEW
COME TOGETHER SEPTEMBER
q FOR FALL SESSION.


Springfield, H., July lo,-Whcn the
Nons itutional convention, which
since January e had been meeting in
the hall of Illinois Representatives in
the state House, adjourned last week
until September Il. it kept for future
consideration is toughest problems.
but lett behind a mass of work al.
ready done Fifteen articles for the
new constitution had been passed
upon and submitted to the commit
tee ON phraeology and style.
And besides these, the articles pro-
Nlding for the military in the sta e
mas passed that stage had been an.
proved in its finished form, and now
awaits only final adoption This and
inc other fifteen ARTICLES however.
contain only matter that is already
contained in the constitutions. The
new material, the chief dopartcrs the
things for which the convention was
especially called, are yet to be en-
acted
Fifteen minutes before the conven-
ton adjourned the only radical pro-
poSal which had been carried bv
down state delegates over the solid
opposition OF Cook county, and which
provided limitations to Cook cOuntys
representation in both houses Of the
legislature, was wiped from the slate.
Yielding to threats from Chicago, and
to reasons as Cook county dele
gafcs gave it, the convention voted
to reconsider its action: to wait I'M
III after vacation and decide then
whether Cook county chould lie
bound.
Beside this matter, they have
articles ON revenue, taxation and
tlnacc; Chicago and Cook county :
fairs; labor and industry: judicial
department; initiative referendum
and recall, all to be considered as
new matter,
When there were other important
matters, passed to second reading
with the agreement that debate
should be deferred until then. Among
these, yc' to be threshold out are pro
posals:
Fixing one election day.
Providing a system of state ADULTS
of county. town and school officers.
Prohibiting the use of state funds
in support Of any sec aran or other
inatuton.
Granting equal suffrage to women.
Making women eIigablc to jury
service, but not requiring it Of them.
Permitting Bible reading, withou.
comment, in public schools.
Granting equal rights to all citi-
zcns Of the state regardless of race
or color
Providing for system of farm
loan credits.
Providing for coming system in
municipalities, in the interest of pub
lie health and the protection of pro
perty.
Making ability TO read and write
English the Test of eligibility for
elective Office.
Broading the powers OF the gov
tation or pardons to persons, con.
victcd of crime
Raising age of eligibility for the
Offices OF governor and lieutenant
governor from 80 20 35 years
A "short ballot proposal was
killed. This would have vested the
governor with power to appoint the
secretary OF state, attorney general,
superintendent of public instruction
and state treasure. Home rule Tor
down state was killed, at or pre-
vious vote had adopted it. Home
rule for Chicago will be provided in
the report on Chicago and COOK
County affairs. this fall
The article Of military recognizes
conscientious obieCtors. l. provides
in time Of war that they shall be sub
ject to whatever service the governor
declares to be non-combatant. The
executive article makes the term II
Office of state treasurer four years in
stead of Two, as at present. and grants
the governor a thirty-day limit on ad
jCurnment of the legislature to ar
prove or disapprovc laws enacted.
One election day, to be a legal hoi
day is provided in the article on elec
tiOns. II is stipulated that the legi.'
lature after Jan. /. 1927, may provide
Others if the one day scheme proves
unsatisfactory
The article on counties would make
the term of county treasurer fOuI
years istead Of two, and would provide
that sheriff may succeed himself
Tho county treasurer would be tbs
eX-oilicio collector OF taxes, and tn,
circuit clerk in counties of less than
$4,000 would be CX-offcio recorder Of
deeds. In larger counties election Of
the recorder is provided for.
Farm ownership would be encOurag
ed by the article on agriculture. !;