The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1922-12-15

part of publishing houses and that
held for individual educational and
charitable institutions.
Amendments were offered by other
members of the convention looking
to similar liberal provisions, some of
them, however, not going as far as
the substitute offered. Another pro-
vision would strike out the whole sec
ton both in the committee report and
the old constitution, leaving the whole
matter up to the general assembly.
The tax committee covers the taxing
religious corporations in its report.
Objection was raised to the COM
mittee report in regard to indict-
ments and information which the
report would have Estate in plain and
concise language, the facts constitut-
ing the alleged offense." Amend
ments would strike out this clause
from the section, leaving it practical
ly the same as in the present consti-
tuition.
Changes from the committee report
are sought in the section regarding
the freedom of speech and the press.
The committee retained the old Sec
ton except the last clause which al
lowed the jury, under direction of the
court, to determine the law and the
fact. This was striken out in the
committee report.
A minority report would change
this section so as to provide "that no
law shall be passed impairing the
freedom of speech; that every person
shall be free to say, and, by any mode
OF impression, or reproduction, to
freely publish his ideas, opinions and
sentiments on ali subjects whatsoever,
being responsible for all abuse of that
liberty; and that in all suits and pros
ecutions for libel the truth thereof
may be given in evidence"
1t is claimed that the latter word
ing would allow motion pictures the
same privilege as the press, a right
not covered by the old constitution.
1t was before the committee in the
form of proposal, but was rejected,
by a majority vote.
The committee provision to abolish
the death penalty is opposed in the
convention and will undoubtedly be
food for extended debate. It is
charged that this amendment is a re-
versal of the course followed by states
and nations from time immemorial.
Its adoption, it is commended, would
result in more crimes by the evil
minded, and would provoke more
lynchings because the law failed to
provide punishment to fit the crime,
in the opinion of large part of the
people of the state.
One amendment offered to the COM
mittee report would, however, exempt
from the death penalty males under
FL years of age and all female per-
sons.
An amendment to the section on
trial by jury, ETC., would not impose
jury duty on any woman against her
will.
Completion of the report of the
Committee on Counties, Cities and
Towns was reached in the committee
of the whole on Wednesday, the lat
ter part of the time being taken up
with matters relating to the city of
st. Louis.
The expansion of the city, or the
machinery for its expansion was pro-
vided in the committee report and a
committee amendment was provided
in the committee report and a COM
mittee amendment was adopted after
numerous other amendments and SUBJ
stitutes had been offered and rejected,
AS passed on tentatively in the COM
mittee of the whole, st. Louis may
expand into st. Louis county to the
extent of seventy-seven square miles.