Page:The Federal and state constitutions v2.djvu/555

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The general assembly, at its first session, shall constitute three commissioners, whose duty it shall be to revise, reform, simplify, and abridge the rules of practice, pleadings, forms, and proceedings of the courts of record of this State, and to provide, so far as practicable and expedient, that justice shall be administered by intelligent and uniform proceedings without any distinction between law and equity.

The proceedings of the commissioners shall be reported to the general assembly, and be subject to the action of that body.

The first general assembly shall locate the permanent seat of government.

Lotteries and the sale of lottery-tickets, for any purpose whatever, shall forever be prohibited in the State.

No person shall be elected or appointed to any office in this State unless they possess the qualifications of an elector.

There may be established in the secretary of state’s office a bureau of statistics and agriculture, under such regulations as may be prescribed by law, and provision shall be made by the general assembly for the organization and encouragement of State and county agricultural associations.

The first general assembly shall provide by law for securing to the wife the separate property acquired by her before or after coverture, and the equal right with the husband to the custody of the children during their minority; and in case of death, insanity, intemperance, or gross impropriety of the husband, their exclusive custody.

All propositions for amendments to the constitution shall be made by the general assembly.

A concurrence of two-thirds of the members elected to each house shall be necessary, after which such proposed amendments shall be entered upon the journals with the yeas and nays, and the secretary of state shall cause the same to be published in at least one newspaper in each county in the State where a newspaper is published, for at least six months preceding the next election for senators and representatives, when such proposed amendments shall be again referred to the legislature elected next succeeding said publication. If passed by the second legislature, by a majority of two-thirds of the members elected to each house, such amendments shall be republished, as aforesaid, for at least six months prior to the next general election, at which election such proposed amendments shall be submitted to the people for their approval or rejection, and if the majority of the