The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-06-16
IRISH CONSTITUTION IS IN
HARMONY WITH THE TREATY

London, June l5-(By The .hssociat-
ed Press.)-The draft OF he new Irish
constitution made public tonight on the
eve OF the Irish elections gives. as the
document itself states. force OF law TO
the Anglo-Irish treaty. and expressly
declares that any provision OF the con-
stitution or any amendment thereto. or
any law enacted under the COns,itu-
tIon. which Is in any respect repugnant
TO the treaty. shall be void and In
operative.
The constitution thus embod!es con-
nection with the British crown. as al
ready established IN the treaty. and
generally places the relations between
Ireland and the empire on the same
basis an Canada and the other do
maiuionS.
The constitution requires every mem
Der of the Free State parliament TO
subscribe faith and allegiance 70 the
constitution and swear 10 be faithful to
citizenship OF Ireland and Great Britain
and Irelands membership IN the British
commonwealth OF nations.
seventy-hve Articles
The document contains seventy-hve
ARTICLES and is considered an up TO date
instrument. not only granting female
suffrage, proportional representation and
a referendum to the people. but also
empowering the people themselves to
initiate legislation.
1t gives to the chamber great power
with respect 70 money bills. without
control from the senate. the house dup
Heating the position as between the
British house of commons and the house
OF lords.
1t exempts the Free state from active
kt.1- ,
sent Of parliament except in the case
Of actual Invasion and gives the Irish
supreme court the fullest powers. only
stipulatipg FOR the right OK citizens TO
appeal TO the king IN council against
the supreme courts decision.
1t provides for freedom OF religion
and conscience. gives Free State citi-
zens fuu protection against the arpi-
trary power OF court martial, and en-
tends to parliament exclusive control
over the armed forced, as stipulated III
the treaty.
The Articles
Article I. The Irish Free State. (Soar-
stat EIreann) is a co-eQUaI member Of
the community OF nations forming the
British common wealth OF nations.
Article :. All tho powers OF the gov
eminent and all authority. legislative.
executive and judicial are derived from
the people and the same shall be eNcr-
cised in the Irish Free State with this
constitution.
Article 8. Citizens OF the state. shalt
be all persons doInictled in Ireland at
the time the constitution comes in oper-
alton who were born in ireland or either
Of whose parents were born N ireland.
or have been domiciled IN the Free
state for seven years. Resident clt-
zenS OF other states may elect not 70
accept such citizenship.
Article /. The national language will
be the Irish language, but English Will
be equally recognized as the official lam
guage. Parliament may make special
provisions for areas in which only one
language is in use.
Freedom Of Religion.
Article 5. Declares freedom OF con-
science and FREQ practice OF religion in
violable rights. 1t sets forth. no law
may directly or indirectly endow any
religion or prohibit or restrict the free
exercise thereof or give any preference
or impose any disability on account OF
religious belief or religious status. or
affect prejudicially the right Of any
chtld TO attend a school receiving public
money without attending the religious
instI uctIon at the school, or make any
discrimination as respects state aid be-
tween SCHOOLS uNQST inc NldHdSelUeUt VI
different religious denominations. or d.
vert from any religious denomination or
any educational institution any OF It's
property except for the purpose OF roads
railways. lighting, water or drainage
works, or other works OF public utility
and on the payment OF compensation.
Article 9. Guarantees free expression
OF opinion and assembly without arm
and the formation OF associations not
opposed to public morality.
Chamber and Senate.
Article IL. The legislature hereby
created, known as the parliament az the
Irish Free State. Is to consist of the
king, . chamber OF deputies and SEN
ate
Article Il. Confers the right OF sui
frage on all citizens OF the age OF q or
both sexes All those of the age Of -
may vote for the senate: those % the
age Of 2f for The deputies.
Article so. The executive authority
ofthe Free State Is vested In the kiu-.
exercisable as in the Dominion of Can
ada by representative OF the crown.
There will be a council 10 aid and advise
in the government. styled the -xecu-
tive council. responsible 20 the chamber.
1t shall consist OF not more than twelve
ministers appointed by the representa-
tive OF the crown. four to he members
OF the chamber and eight 70 be chosen
from citizens eligiole - the chamber.
but not members OF parliament. II tho
arc Members when appointed they shall
vacats their seats.