Year: 1875

AIADAMd,


On Tuesday, November 10Th, the voters OF
Alabama will ratify or reject the constitution
made by the Montgomery State Convention.
All parties appear to be taking proper inter-
est in matter vitality important. If it is not
ratified it is thought that the failure will re-
tard the recuperation of the State for ten years
or more.


The Convention did it's work in conserva-
tive spirit and without partisanship or pre-
judice. The enabling act under which the
Convention was assembled limited its work to
amending and revising the present Constltu-
ton, and forbade the placing of any property
or educational qualification upon the right to
vote, the disturbing Of incumbent officers, or
the passage of any binding law or ordinance.
To this enabling act it adhered scrupulously,
and very little dissatisfaction is felt in any
part of the State.


The leading features of the new Constitu-
ton are:


A Bill or Declaration of Rights, in which
the relations of the State to the Federal Gov
ernment and of the people to the State are
defined. The "fact that from the Federal
Union there can be no secession OF any
State" is formally proclaimed in those words,
a declaration in itself worthy Of being now
incorporated in every State Constitution, SO
that all controversy on that point may be
quieted for all time. This item was
adopted in convention without dissent
ing voice. The Bill or Declaration
afirms "the civil and political equality
of all men of whatever race, color or
previous condition." by that means putting
at rest for ever another vexed and vexing
issue, and placing the State in accord with
the Constitution OF the Union. In other par
ticulars the Bill of Rights is the same as that
of the Constitution of Alabama adopted in
1919.


The Office Of Lieutenant Governor is
abolished; the Auditor is to hold Office two
years, instead of four; the Governor must be
thirty years old, and ten years o citizen
of the United States, and seven years a
citizen Of the State; all State officers must
reside at the capital constantly; the Governor
NAV demand information on State affairs from
all State officers under oath; in convening an
extra session he must specify the action
deemed necessary, no other legislation being
allowable; he may divide appropriation bills
and veto some items while approving others
in the same bill. All other State officers are
required to have been for five years preced-
ing their election citizens Of the State.
These changes are obviously good and whole
| some.


The Supreme Court is to consist of one
Chief Justice and two Associates. There are
to be three Chancellors instead OF five, and
eight Circuit Judges instead of twelve. All
Judges must have been FIVE years citizens, and
thirty years old, and can not practice law.
Solicitor is provided for each circuit. All be-
low the Supreme Court are impeachaole by
judicial trial before that court, and they may
be removed for drunkenness, incompetency,
neglect of duty, corruption and moral turpi-
tude.


Every male twenty-one years old, for three
months resident of the county and one year
of the State, including such as have legally
declared their intention to become citizens,
are voters, with the usual exception as to
convicts and malefactors.


State elections are to be held the first Mon
day in August This separation and change
are to get rid of Federal interference.


The free school system is placed by the
new Constitution beyond the reach OF legis-
lative caprice. For the support of schools
every voter pays poll tax Of dollar and a
half, and the Legislature must raise by tax at
least 100000 annually, which, with other
fixed funds, will secure to the schools about
1915, 900 per annum.


The Legislature meets every other year,
with sessions limited to fifty days. Members
must be three years in the State and one in
their counties. They get 81 day and theil
mileage at the rate of ten cents per mile. Spe.
cial legislation is strictly guarded against.
No bill can pass without the yeas and nays
are taken on its final passage. Personal inter
est in bill disqualifes the member from
voting on it.


The issue Of county bonds is forbidden.