poration holding the unexpired franchise in the adjoining township or city. This provision compels a termination of all franchises granted by any municipality within thirty years. The city of Detroit and neighboring townships are principally affected.

ARTICLE IX.

Impeachments and Removals From Office.

Section 1. The house of representatives shall have the sole power of impeaching civil officers for corrupt conduct in office, or for crimes or misdemeanors; but a majority of the members elected shall be necessary to direct an impeachment.

Section 2. When an impeachment is directed, the house of representatives shall elect from its own body three members, whose duty it shall be to prosecute such impeachment. No impeachment shall be tried until the final adjournment of the legislature, when the senate shall proceed to try the same.

Section 3. Every impeachment shall be tried by the senate. When the governor or lieutenant governor is tried, the chief justice of the supreme court shall preside. When an impeachment is directed, the senate shall take an oath or affirmation truly and impartially to try and determine the same according to the evidence. No person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the members elected. Judgment in case of impeachment shall not extend further than removal from office, but the person convicted shall be liable to punishment according to law.

Section 4. No judicial officer shall exercise his office after an impeachment is directed until he is acquitted.

Section 5. The governor may make a provisional appointment to fill a vacancy occasioned by the suspension of an officer, until he shall be acquitted or until after the election and qualification of a successor.

Section 6. For reasonable cause, which shall not be sufficient ground for impeachment, the governor shall remove any judge on a concurrent resolution of two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the legislature; and the cause for which such removal is required shall be stated at length in such resolution.

Section 7. The governor shall have power and it shall be his duty, except at such time as the legislature may be in session, to examine into the conditions and administration of any public office and the acts of any public officer, elective or appointive; to remove from office for gross neglect of duty or for corrupt conduct in office, or any other misfeasance or malfeasance therein, any elective or appointive state officer, except legislative or judicial, and report the causes of such removal to the legislature at its next session.

Section 8. Any officer elected by a county, city, village, township or school district may be removed from office in such manner and for such cause as shall be prescribed by law.

None of the eight sections of Article IX are changed in any manner, except for the purpose of improving the phraseology, and to strike out from Section 7 the authority of the governor to appoint a state officer for the remainder of an unexpired term, that being merely a reptition of the authority contained in Section 10 of Article VI.

ARTICLE X.

Finance and Taxation.

Section 1. All subjects of taxation now contributing to the primary school interest fund under present laws shall continue to contribute to that fund, and all taxes from such subjects shall be first applied in paying the interest upon the primary school, university and other educational funds in the order herein named, after which the surplus of such moneys shall be added to and become a part of the primary school interest fund.

Section 2. The legislature shall provide by law for an annual tax, sufficient with other resources, to pay the estimated expenses of the state government, the interest on any state debt, and such deficiency as may occur in the resources.

These sections change the language of Sec. 1, Art. XIV of the present constitution so as to insure to the primary school interest fund the income from all sources now contributing thereto. The words "interest and principal of the state debt" have been eliminated as the reasons therefor no longer exist.

The debates on the subject of the primary school fund unmistakably show that it is the purpose of the foregoing sections that all subjects of taxation now contributing to that fund are to continue to do so, including all increases in the value of such property, and all increases in properties of the same character. In other words, should a new railroad be constructed, the taxes accruing therefrom would become a part of the primary school fund. The provision safeguards the primary school fund as completely as does the existing constitution.

Section 3. The legislature shall provide by law a uniform rule of taxation, except on property paying specific taxes, and taxes shall be levied on such property as shall be prescribed by law: Provided, That the legislature shall provide by law a uniform rule of taxation for such property as shall be assessed by a state board of assessors, and the rate of taxation on such property shall be the rate which the state board of assessors shall ascertain and determine is the average rate levied upon other property upon which ad valorem taxes are assessed for state, county, township, school and municipal purposes.

No change from Sec. 11, Art. XIV of the present constitution, except to insert the words in bold face.

Section 4. The legislature may by law impose specific taxes, which shall be uniform upon the classes upon which they operate.

Section 5. The legislature may provide by law for the assessment at its true cash value by a state board of assessors, of which the governor shall be ex-officio a member, of the property of corporations and the property, by whomsoever owned, operated or conducted, engaged in the business of transporting passengers and freight, transporting property by express, operating any union station or depot, transmitting messages by telephone or telegraph, loaning cars, operating refrigerator cars, fast freight lines or other car lines and running or operating cars in any manner upon railroads, or engaged in any other public service business; and for the levy and collection of taxes thereon.

These sections materially strengthen the power of the legislature to impose specific taxes as conferred by Sec. 10, Art. XIV of the present constitution. The adoption of these sections was the result of a desire on the part of the convention to render such authority clear and definite, the language of the present constitution not being sufficiently clear on this subject. Authority is also conferred to provide for the assessment of all public service corporations, including those enumerated in this section, at their true cash value. Thereby distinct and clear provision is made for the taxation of corporations by both specific and ad valorem methods.

Section 6. Every law which imposes, continues or revives a tax shall distinctly state the tax, and the objects to which it is to be applied; and it shall not be sufficient to refer to any other law to fix such tax or object.

No change from Sec. 14, Art. XIV of the present constitution. Section 7. All assessments hereafter authorized shall be on property at its cash value.

No change from Sec. 12, Art. XIV of the present constitution. Section 8. In the year nineteen hundred eleven, every fifth year thereafter and at such other times as the legislature may direct, the legislature shall provide by law for an equalization of assessments by a state board, on all taxable property, except that taxed under laws passed pursuant to sections four and five of this article.

No change from Sec. 13, Art. XIV of the present constitution, except as to the year named and the references to sections, and to insert the words "by law."

Section 9. The power of taxation shall never be surrendered or suspended by any grant or contract to which the state or any municipal corporation shall be a party.

This is a new section and forever prohibits the surrender or suspension of the taxing power of the state or any municipality therein.

Section 10. The state may contract debts to meet deficits in revenue, but such debts shall not in the aggregate at any time exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars. The state may also contract debts to repel invasion, suppress insurrection, defend the state, or aid the United States in time of war. The money so raised shall be applied to the purposes for which it is raised or to the payment of the debts contracted.

This section combines Secs. 3 and 4, Art. XIV of the present constitution, and changes materially the phraseology thereof. The maximum amount of indebtedness which the state may contract at any one time is fixed in the revision at two hundred fifty thousand dollars, instead of fifty-thousand dollars under the present constitution. This change is considered necessary in order to meet the modern requirements of the state. Authority to contract debts to aid the United States in time of war is added in recognition of a natural obligation.

Section 11. No script, certificate or other evidence of state indebtedness shall be issued, except * * for such debts as are expressly authorized in this constitution.

This section omits the words "except for the redemption of stock previously issued," appearing in Sec. 7, Art. XIV of the present constitution. The exception quoted is obsolete.

Section 12. The credit of the state shall not be granted to, nor in aid of, any person, association or corporation, public or private.

No change from Sec. 6, Art. XIV of the present constitution, except the addition of the words "public or private."

Section 13. The state shall not subscribe to, nor be interested in, the stock of any company, association or corporation.

No change from Sec. 8, Art. XIV, except in phraseology.

Section 14. The state shall not be a party to nor interested in any work of internal improvement, nor engage in carrying on any such work, except in the improvement of or aiding in the improvement of the public wagon roads, in the reforestation and protection of lands owned by the state and in the expenditure of grants to the state of land or other property.

This section corresponds with Sec. 9, Art. XIV of the present constitution. The proviso therein authorizing the city of Grand Rapids to issue its bonds for the improvment of the Grand River is eliminated, as such provision is unnecessary.

The authority granted the state to engage in reforestation removes a limitation in the present constitution. It is the intention of the revision that state lands, not desirable for agricultural purposes may be utilized by the state for reforestation. The power thus conferred, if wisely used, it is believed will materially promote the future welfare of the commonwealth. Section 15. No state money shall be deposited in banks other than those organized under the national or state banking laws. No state money shall be deposited in any bank in excess of fifty per cent of the capital and surplus of such bank. Any bank receiving deposits of state money shall show the amount of state money so deposited as a separate item in all published statements.

This is a new section designed to render the moneys belonging to the state absolutely secure. The provision requiring any bank having deposits of state money to show the amount thereof, as a separate item, in all published statements of such bank secures a wholesome publicity. Under this provision all interested officials and the people themselves will know in what amounts the moneys of the state are deposited in the several depositories.

Section 16. No money shall be paid out of the state treasury except in pursuance of appropriations made by law.

No change from Sec. 5, Art. XIV of the present constitution, except the insertion of the word "state."

Section 17. An accurate statement of the receipts and expenditures of the public

moneys shall be attached to and published with the laws passed at every regular session of the legislature.

No change from Sec. 5, Art. XVIII, except in phraseology.

Section 18. The legislature shall provide by law for the keeping of accounts by all state officials, boards and institutions, and by all county officials; and shall also provide for the supervision and audit thereof by competent state authority and for uniform reports of all public accounts to such authority. Such systems of account shall provide for accurate records of all financial and other transactions and for checks upon all receipts and disbursements of all such officials, boards and institutions; and shall be uniform for all similar boards, institutions and county officials. All public accounts and the audit thereof shall be public records and open to inspection.

The present constitution contains no reference to this subject. The convention believes that this provision will materially aid in placing the financial affairs of the state and its municipalities upon a sound business basis. Precedents therefor are found in the states of Ohio, Wisconsin and Wyoming. The states of New York and Massachusetts are moving in the same direction. In states where a system of uniform accounts has been adopted, it has resulted in the saving of large sums of public moneys, and has been otherwise distinctly beneficial. The necessity for more accurate and reliable public accounts is quite generally conceded, and so strong was the conviction upon this subject in the convention, that the installation of a uniform system of accounting, extending not only to state officials, boards and institutions, but embracing all the municipalities of the state, is made mandatory upon the legislature. Such a system should materially improve public service and administration in the state and its municipal divisions. Section 19. No collector, holder or disburser of public moneys shall have a seat in the legislature, nor be eligible to any office of trust or profit under this state, until he shall have accounted for and paid over, as provided by law, all sums for which he may be liable.

No change from Sec. 30, Art. IV of the present constitution.

ARTICLE XI.
Education.

Section 1. Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged.

The above preamble is a quotation from the Ordinance of 1787. It is deemed a fitting introduction to this Article.

Section 2. A superintendent of public instruction shall be elected at the regular election to be held on the first Monday in April, nineteen hundred nine, and every second year thereafter. He shall hold office for a period of two years from the first day of July following his election and until his successor is elected and qualified. He shall have general supervision of public instruction in the state. He shall be a member and secretary of the state board of education. He shall be exofficio a member of all other boards having control of public instruction in any state institution, with the right to speak but not to vote. His duties and compensation shall be prescribed by law.

This section takes the place of Sec. 1, Art. XIII of the present constitution, and includes certain provisions of Sec. 1, Art. VIII, and Sec. 1, Art. IX. The proposition to make the office of superintendent of public instruction elective at the April election, to make him a member of the state board of education and other educational boards are not found in the existing constitution. The first change is designed to place his selection on the same basis as the selection of regents and judges, and the second is a recognition of certain present statutory provisions.

Section 3. There shall be a board of regents of the university, consisting of eight members, who shall hold the office for eight years. There shall be elected at each regular biennial spring election two members of such board. When a vacancy shall occur in the office of regent it shall be filled by appointment of the governor.

No change is made from Sec. 6, Art. XIII of the present constitution, except to improve the phraseology and to eliminate obsolete matter. Section 4. The regents of the university and their successors in office shall continue to constitute the body corporate known as "The Regents of the University of Michigan."

No change from Sec. 7, Art. XIII of the present constitution, except to improve phraseology.

Section 5. The regents of the university shall, as often as necessary, elect a president of the university. The president of the university and the superintendent of public instruction shall be ex-officio members of the board of regents, with the privilege of speaking but not of voting. The president shall preside at the meetings of the board and be the principal executive officer of the university. The board of regents shall have the general supervision of the university and the direction and control of all expenditures from the university funds.

No change from Sec. 8, Art. XIII of the present constitution except to improve the phraseology and make the superintendent of public instruction an ex-officio member of the board of regents with the power of speaking but not of voting. It was deemed desirable that the superintendent be given the same relation to the board of regents as he now occupies to the other educational boards of the state.

Section 6. The state board of education shall consist of four members. On the first Monday in April nineteen hundred nine, and at each succeeding biennial spring election, there shall be elected one member of such board who shall hold his office for six years from the first day of July following his election. The state board of education shall have general supervision of the state normal college and the state normal schools, and the duties of said board shall be prescribed by law.

No change from Sec. 9, Art. XIII of the present constitution, except to provide for the election of members of said board at the spring election, and to improve the phraseology. Reference to the superintendent of public instruction is omitted, but by the provisions of section 2 of this article he is made one of the members of said board.

Section 7. There shall be elected on the first Monday in April, nineteen hundred nine, a state board of agriculture to consist of six members, two of whom shall hold the office for two years, two for four years and two for six years. At every regular biennial spring election thereafter, there shall be elected two members whose term of office shall be six years. The members thus elected and their successors in office shall be a body corporate to be known as "The state board of agriculture."

This is a new section making the state board of agriculture a constitutional board, elected by the people, instead of a statutory board appointed by the governor as it has existed since 1861. The object of the change is to make it a non-partisan board as near as may be and secure its permanence.

Section 8. The members of the board shall, as often as necessary, elect a president of the agricultural college, who shall be ex-officio a member of the board with the privilege of speaking but not of voting. He shall preside at the meetings of the board and be the principal executive officer of the college. The state board of agriculture shall have the general supervision of the college and the direction and control of all agricultural college funds; and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law.

This is also a new section, supplementary to the preceding one. Its purpose is to define the organization, power and duties of the state board of agriculture.

Section 9. The legislature shall continue a system of primary schools, whereby every school district in the state shall provide for the education of its pupils, without charge for tuition; and all instruction in such schools shall be conducted in the English language. If any school district shall neglect to maintain a school within its borders as prescribed by law for at least five months in each year, or to provide for the education of its pupils in another district or districts for an equal period, it shall be deprived for the ensuing year of its proportion of the primary school interest fund.