The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1921-01-22
CLEAR WAY
FOR AMEND|NG
CONSTITUTION
Some Changes We're Approved
By Senate as Far Back
As 1915
IlNrsRKArIoNAl NeMs stRylcEl

INDIANAPOLIS, IND. Jan 22-The
legislative route is nov cleared in the
senate for hnal action on the resolu-
ons Of Senator William L. English
proposing sixteen amendments TO the
state constitution. The proposed
changes. when hrst presented in the
present session, were included In one
joint resolution. but have been divid-
ga into sixteen resolutions. and VIII
&c acted upon by the senate sepsra-
tely when they are called up for third
reading and passage.
Some of the proposed changes we're
approved by the senate in 1915. and
all OF them were approved by both
houses OF the assembly in the 1919
session. 1t is necessary for them to
be again approved. after which they
viii go TO the electors OF the state
FOR a referendum vote at the general
election OF 1929 or at a special cleo
ton before that time.
The proposed amendments are OF
Ereat importance and VIII materially
affect the basic Law o. the state.
Among the provisions arc;
That term Of office or salary If a
II .blic official cannot be extended or
increased during the term for which
the official is elected q appointed.
Extending the term ~ all elective
county officers 20 four years instead
Of two ve@rs and eliminating the
county surveyor from tho elective list.
The onice of prosecuting attorney
would be made a four year office un-
Ger a special amendment.
Eliminating clerk Of the supreme
court and state superintendent of
public instruction as elective offices
and providing for their appointment
by the governor.
Extending the term OF all state Of
fcers to four years, and making re-
election impossible for the term i'm
r1ediately following.
Division Of cities. towns and rural
Glstricts into separate classes for the
Iurpose OF registration OF voters.
Changing Of method Of amending
constitution so that when amendments
so to the people to be yrted upon. the
will OF the electors wi; be determin-
Cd BY a majority of the votes cast.
Under the present law a majority Of
the total lumber of votes in the state
is necessary for amendments to be
approved.
Changes in the enumeration OF
,oters for the purpose " Legislative
ap-portionment.
Establishing qualifications for the
practice Of law.
Admitting negroes 70 the state mil
lila.
Four Of the amendments have TO do
with state nance providing for an
income tax. A syctem of taxation. q
tudget system, and for the veto by
The governor OF special items in the
sppropriating bill. Present consti.
tgtionaI limitations on the taxing pow
ers OF the Legislature would be re-
moved under these amendments. The
giving Of the veto power to the gov
e-nor is intended to eliminate the
resent practice OF attaching riders to
ne bill, which the governor cannot
strike out without ktI'rg the entire
sasure.
The establishment Or a board OF
corporations to be composed Of tho
secretary Of state. auJitor Of state
and attornev-geueral. is provided for
m e bill to be introduced In tho SEN
ste at the request Of the Indiana
STATE Bar Association. Heretofore
articles of incorporation have been
issued by the secretary Of state un-
der the mining laws ana other spec
ial statutes. LAWYERS declare that
he proposed act would give Indians
corporations q higher moral standing.
The board of corporations under the
&C., would receive applications for
interpretations, and in case Of it's
.rofusal to grant certificates, applicant
Gould appeal to the superior or circuit
curtis, taking appeals from there to
the supreme court. The proposed law
would effect building and loan asso-
/, atoms. banks and trust companies,
cemetery companies, drainage compan
IS. forestry associations. boards of
/ AIDE. religious. educational and bene-
VIOLENT corporations. light. heat and
tower companies, insurance compan-
:. lodges. secret orders and benevo-
t.nt associations. railroad companies.