FINANCE. On October 1. 19011, the outstanding bonded debt of the State was tilti,100. The bal ance in the treasury amounted to $2,617,900. The Constitution prohibits the State from rendering financial assistanee to canals, or to any corporation. association, or individual. A similar prohibition is laid upon the local govern mental units. but this prohibition expressly ex cludes which such tact ion was authorized prior to the adoption of the Constitution. 'file State debt must not exceed $250,000, unless per mission is given by direct vote of the people; the Ieeal governments S not contract debts exceed ing .1 per cent. of their taxable property.
(oxsTrririoN ANI) GovEitNNtExT. The present Constitution, which is the thin) for the State, was adopted in 1s70. Amendments may be pro posed either by a convention called by as two thirds vote of each House and authorized by popular vote, or (with a restriction regarding the number) merely by a two-thirds vole of each House; in either ease the amendment, to be binding, must be ratified by a majority of the vote. cast at a popular election. Manhood suf frage, with the usual restrictions, is the ride in ordinary elections, but women may vote for school officers. There is a primary election law.
LE(ast..vrtvE. The Senate of .51 members is elected for four years. the House of Representa tives for two years. Three Representatives are elected from each of the 51 Senatorial districts The system of voting for Representatives is in tended to secure minority representation; to each voter are allowed three ballots, wide,' he may distribute as he sees fit. Legislators
Sdiaiii for each regular session. $S per day for special or called sessions. 10 cents per mile mile age, at MI i.4:01 for stationery, etc. Regular sessions ba(gin on the first Wednesday after the first Mon day in January of odd years. The capital is Siiringtiadd.
EN EurrIvE. A (:overnor. Lieutenant-Governor. Secretary of State, Auditor, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and an Attorney-General are elected for four years each. The Treasurer is elected for two years, and is ineligible for the next succeeding term. The Governor may veto any hill or any item of an appropriatiOn bill, but his veto may be overridden by a two-thirds vote of each House. The Lieutenant-Go•ernor, the President pro tem pore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the )louse are in the line of succession in c:ISe of a vacancy.
The State is divided into seven dis tricts, in each of which it judge of the Supreme Court is elected for nine years; the judges ((house one of their number as Chief Justice. Inferior appellate courts also exist. Circuit Court judges elected for six years, and two or more terms of these courts must be held yearly in each (minty. A county judge, a State's attorney, and clerk of the court are elected for four years in each county, hut the Legislature may unite tn.) or more counties into a district. Probate courts may be established in counties with a population exceeding S0.000. There are also justices of the peace, police magistrates, and constables.