The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1921-01-22
CLEAR WAY
FOR AMENDING
CONSTITUTION
Some Changes We're Approved
By Senate as Far Back
As 1915
INTERNATIONAL NEWS seRyIcII

INDIANAPOLIS. IND. Jan. 22-Thc
legislative route is now cleared in the
senate for final action on the rcsolu-
uons Of Senator William L. English
proposing sixteen amendments to the
state constitution. The proposed
changes, when first presented in the
present session. were included in one
Joint resolution, but have been divid-
cd into sixteen resolutions, and will
te acted upon by the senate separa-
tely when they are called up for third
| reading and passage.
Some of the proposed changes were
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
will go to the electors Of the state
for a referendum vote It the general
election Of 1929 or at a special cleo
tion before that time
The proposed amendments are OF
great Importance and wlI materially
affect the basic law Of the state.
Among the provisions are:
That term Of office or salary If a
public official cannot be extended or
Increased during the term for which
llc QHlClal Is 6ieCkCQ CT dPpQlnLeQs
Extending the term OF all elective
county officers to four wears instead
| of two ye3rs and eliminating the
county surveyor from tho elective Istl
The office of prosecuting attorney
would be made four year office un
der a special amendment,
Eliminating clerk Of the supreme
court and state superintendent of
eli oFr
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 tho term i'm
nediately following
Division Of cities. towns and rural
districts into separate classes for tho
purpose Of registration of voters.
Changing of method If amending
constitution SO that when amendments
90 TO the people to be vnted upon. the
viii OF the electors VII be determin
ed by 4 majority Of the votes cast.
| Cnder the present law a majority or
the total number Of votes in tho state
Is necessary for amendments TO be
! approved
Changes in the enumeration Of
yoters for the purpose Of legislative
apportionment.
Establishing qualifications for the
practice of law.
Admitting negroes to the state mil
tia.
-Four OF the amendments have to do
with state finances providing for an
| Income tax, a system Of taxation. a
! budget system and for the veto by
! the governor of special items in the
! appropriating bin. Present consti-
| tutional limitations ON tho taxing pow
ers OF the legislature would he re-
| moved under these amendments The
giving Of tho veto power TO the gov
ernor Is intended TO eliminate the
present practice OF attaching riders to
the bill, which the governor cannot
strike out without killing the entire
measure.
The establishment or board Of
corporatl tlons to be composed OF the
secretary OF state, auditor OF state
and attorney general, IS provided for
IN bill to be introduced in the sen
ate 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 and other spec
Ial statutes. LAWYERS 0eCt1fe Cnat
the proposed act would give Indians
corporations higher moral standing.
The board OF corporations under the
oct would receive applications for
interpretations. and in case of its
refusal to grant certificates. applicant
could appeal to the superior or circuit !
courts. taking appeals from there to
the supreme court. The proposed Law /
would effect building and loan asso- 1
cations banks and trust companies /
cemetery companies. drainage compan- /
les. forestry associations. boards Of
trade. religious, educational and bene- /
violent corporations. light heat and /
rover companies. insurance compan- .
its lodges secret orders and benevo- /
lent associations. railroad companies. /
street railroad companies and inter
urban companies telephone, telegraph /
and pipeline companies. The law /
would not effect tho existence OF com /
panies now incorporated.