Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1920-07-03
LAW MAKERS To
QUIT THIS WEEK
Con-Con Delegates Hope to Ad-
journ Until Fall.
TO DISPOSE OF ALL REPORTS
Recommendations Of Committees Are
Likely to Receive Consideration
Before Recess-Big Problems
Await Further Action.

nois constitutional convention have
returned to Springfield to enter the
home stretch of the session. which
may end Saturday for period of
three or four months The final
strides will find many of the delegates
with warped dispositions. because of
clauses which have been inserted not
to their liking.
The delegates are ruillpd to some
extent, because of the tilt between
Cook county and the dOwnstate, In
limiting the representation of Cook
county i'm the general assembly. Some
Of the downstate members have
grievances. and 1t was not happy
lot Of men who departed for their
homes at the weekend. The home
rule of utilities was adopted, but Is
not entirely satisfactory to the down.
state, I'm the Judgment of several of
the delegates.
The plan Is TO continue the sessions
plete the consideration Of committee
reports. President Charles Woodward
hopes to he able to recess the conven-
ton, probably until the latter part of
September or perhaps until after the
election In November. The latter
date, however, Is not seriously consid-
cred because there Is possibility of
n collision, which would prevent the
constitutional convention from wind
ing up It's affairs to make way for the
session Of the Illinois general assem-
| bly, January I.
II Is generally understood that II
| all committee reports are disposed Of
! there will be no effort to consider
pending proposals on the order of sec
ond reading. The reports will be re-
| ferred to the committee on phrase
ology and style, and the proposals will
be considered on second reading.
| Final consideration OF the report of
the committee on municipalities Is one
Of the features of the week. Several
sections have been adopted, and the
remaining clauses are scheduled to he
taken up Immediately. The section
which has to do with the calling of
conventions to frame city charter Is
TO be considered first. Under the de-
cisIon of the convention. cities desir-
ing home rule must comply with the
charter section before home rule may
be adopted.
| Further consideration Of the report
OF the committee on bill of rights Is
also on the weeks program. Seven
sections, which are embodied In the
present constitution, have been ap.
proved. Those containing new ideas
were passed last week when there was
no quorum. II Is expected that Il
minority report will he offered on the
section which permits the reading Of
the Bible In the public schools. This
section, rs approved by the majority
OF committee, follows:
"The free exercise and enjoyment
OF religious profession and worship.
without discrimination, shall forever
he guaranteed and no person shall be
denied any civil or political right,
privilege or capacity on account Of his
religious opinions, hut the liberty of
conscience hereby secured shall not he
construed to dispense with oaths or
! affirmatiOns, excuse acts of licentlous-
ness or Justify practices inconsistent
with the peace or safety OF the state.
No person shall be required to attend
or support any ministry or place Of
worship against his consent. nor shall
| any preference be given to any re-
ligiOus denomination or mode of wor'
| shin. The reading In the public
schools of selections from any version
Of the Old and New Testaments, with
4 out comment, shall never he held tc
\ be in conflict with this constitution"
Chairman De Young of the iudici'
airy committee Is expected To present
his final report to the convention this
week. The committee Is practically
agreed on all sections, with the eXCep'
ton of that which refers to the mum
her of members on the supreme bench
Several of the members are In favor
| Of provision for seven members
| while the Cook county members are
said to favor membership of nine
This question is expected to be set
tied soon.
The waterways proposal, which wal
the subject Of long debate severa
weeks ago and which was referred Il
the committee for further considers
ton, has been drafted, II provide;
that the bond issue of S20,0O0,O00 fol
the construction, maintenance and
equipment of the Illinois waterways
and its appurtenances, shall be valid
obligation of the state.
The general assembly Is empowered
to make either additional appropria
lions or authorize bond issues for the
waterways, In addition to the pending
bond issue, which shall not exceed
S10,O00,OOO unless the law making
such appropriation or authorizing thu
bond issue shall first have been sub
; mitted to a vote of the people, TIL
gross or total receipts and income o.
the waterways may be appropriated
or pledged for the construction ant
maintenance of the canal. The pro
posal prohibits the sale by the stat
of any canal or waterway, unless TIT
proposed sale Is approved by voters