THE GOVERNMENT OF CALIFORNIA1 tional convention 1. The California Constitution,2 which is the The constitufoundation for our state and local governments, was framed by a convention that met at Sacramento in (1878-1879). the fall of 1878, and was ratified by the people at the polls in May, 1879. The majority of the delegates composing the convention were members of the Workingmen's and Granger parties, which were at that time very prominent because of hard times and difficulties with the Chinese. The convention remained in session over five months, finally agreeing Characteron a constitution which was very different from the one which had been in force since 1849. The new constitution was especially notable for its provisions against the Chinese, and for certain articles which protected debtors from capitalists. In consequence, Ratification many of the conservative delegates refused to vote amendment. in the convention for the new constitution, and, when the vote of the people was taken, the majority in its favor was only ten thousand. This constitution has since been modified greatly by numerous amendments. 1 This chapter is not complete in itself; it is simply supplementary to the general text. 2 In connection with this section and the next, review Chapter XII. 8 On the situation during the years 1877-1879, consult the supplement of the "California State History," §13. istics of the constitution. and Process of amendment. Number of amendments. Membership and sessions. Terms and salaries. 2. Constitutional Amendments may be proposed by two thirds of the members elected to each house of the state legislature, and will become part of the constitution of California if approved by the voters at the next regular election. No less than twenty-three amendments were adopted at the five elections held between the years 1893 and 1903, although a large number were rejected during the same period. The most important changes were those made in the article dealing with elections and suffrage. Many people would have preferred a new constitution to one which needed so much alteration, and in consequence the legislature allowed the people to vote in 1898 on the question of calling a convention to make a new constitution. The proposition, however, was lost. 3. The State Legislature consists of two houses, the Senate, composed of forty members, and the Assembly, which numbers eighty. The members are chosen at the November elections in the even-numbered years, and regular sessions are held at Sacramento once in two years, beginning on the first Monday after the first day of the January following the elections. The members may not draw pay for more than sixty days, although they may continue in session longer if they choose. Special sessions may be called by the governor at any time he sees fit. Senators are chosen for a term of four years, one half retiring every two years, so that at least one half of the senators are men acquainted with the duties of that body. Assemblymen are elected every second 1 Consult §§ 123-127. |