Guide to the California Constitution Revision Commission collection, 1930-1974 (1965-1970)
Finding aid prepared by Ruth Craft.
California State University, Sacramento Special Collections & University Archives
The Library
2000 State University Drive East
Sacramento, CA, 95819-6039
916-278-6144
scua@csus.edu
March 2005
Title: California Constitution Revision Commission collection
Identifier/Call Number: MSS 1998/10
Contributing Institution:
California State University, Sacramento Special Collections & University Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
4.0 Linear feet
(10 manuscript boxes)
Date (bulk): Bulk, 1965-1970
Date (inclusive): 1930-1974
Abstract: The collection consists of the 1963 California Constitution Revision Commission files collected by Donald H. Pflueger while
he served as a member of the commission including agendas, minutes, memorandums, correspondence and background material.
Language of Materials note: Collection is in English.
creator:
California Constitution Revision Commission.
Custodial History note
Donald Pflueger assembled these papers over many years as part of his effort to document the California Constitution Revision
Commission.
Scope and Contents note
Collection consists of three series: General Files, Working Files of the Constitutional Revision Commission, and Legislation
and Voting Information.
Processed by:
Ruth Craft.
Preferred Citation note
[Identification of item including date], [Folder Title], MSS 1998/10, California Constitutional Revision Commission collection,
Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Library, California State University, Sacramento.
Biographical/Historical note
California's first Constitution was adopted in 1849, and the second Constitution was adopted in 1879. This second Constitution
was very detailed and quite lengthy. Many unsuccessful attempts subsequently were made to revise the 1879 constitution. Between
1879 and 1962 the Constitution was amended over 300 times, increased from 16,000 to 75,000 words and became the fourth longest
constitution in the world.
In 1962, the Legislature passed and the voters approved an amendment to article 18, which permitted the legislature to propose
revisions of the constitution. Prior to this time overall revision was possible only by convention, and the legislature was
permitted only to propose certain amendments.
In 1963, the Legislature establishes the Constitution Revision Commission, which began working on February 20, 1964. The Commission
was composed of approximately 60 non-compensated citizens members, 6 legislative members and 16 ex-officio legislative members.
The goal of the Commission was to make suggestions for change in the Constitution. Judge Bruce W. Summer was elected the Chairperson.
The Commission was terminated on March 4, 1974.
This collection contains material used by Donald Pflueger while he was a member of the California Constitutional Revision
Commission. In addition to background material, Mr. Pflueger kept agendas, minutes, memorandum, correspondence, and sample
ballots and information that went to California voters. Material covers the time period of 1930 to 1974 with the majority
of material covering the 1965-70 time period.
Mr. Pflueger taught for 31 years at Cal Poly, Pomona. He was a World War II veteran and served as U.S. cultural attache in
Amman, Jordon and Jerusalem. He also served on the California Historical Resources Commission. Mr. Pflueger was the author
of several articles and a book on the history of Cal Poly, Pomona.
Accruals note
No additions are expected.
Conditions Governing Use note
Copyright is protected by copyright law, Chapter 17 of the U.S. Code. Requests for permission to publish, quote, or reproduce
from collections must be submitted in writing to the Head of the Department of Special Collections and University Archives.
Permission for publication is given on the behalf of the Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Library,
California State University, Sacramento as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include permission of the
copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.
Conditions Governing Access note
Collection is open for research. Some restrictions may apply.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
The Constitution Revision Commission collection was given to the CSUS Special Collections and University Archives by Donald
Pflueger in 1998.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
California Constitution Revision Commission.
Pflueger, Donald H.
Constitutional law -- California
Series 1: General Files,
Language of Material:
English
Series Description
This series contains general published and unpublished information gathered by Donald Pflueger while he was a member of the
Constitutional Revision Commission. Subseries 1 contains material about constitutions and the constitutional revision process.
Subseries 2 contains material about transporation issues. Mr. Pflueger served on a subcommittee of the Commission that studied
transportation issues. Folders in both subseries are in chronological order. Subseries 3 contains some personal files of Donald
Pflueger.
Subseries 1: Constitutions and the constitutional revision process,
1930-1973.
Subseries Description
These pamphlets and published and unpublished articles provide background information about the constitution revision process
and were part of the files of Donald Pflueger. The material is organized in chronological order.
Box 1, Folder 1
Report of the California Costitution Revision Commission,
1930.
Box 1, Folder 2
Assembly Interim Committee on Constitutional Amendments (agenda),
1960.
Box 1, Folder 3
The Problem of Constitutional Revision in California (unpublished paper),
1960.
Box 1, Folder 4
Major Problems in State Constitutional Revision (published article),
1960.
Box 1, Folder 5
American State Legislatures in Mid-twentieth Century (conference report),
1961.
Box 1, Folder 6
Muskopf v. Corning Hospital District (law case),
1961.
Box 1, Folder 7
Salient Issues of Constitutional Revision (published book),
1961.
Box 1, Folder 8
State Constitutional Revision in California (published article),
1961.
Box 1, Folder 9
California Legislature Looks at the State Constitution (journal article),
1962.
Box 1, Folder 10
A New Constitution for Oregon,
1962.
Box 1, Folder 11
Model State Constitution (published book),
1963.
Box 1, Folder 12
Summary of Workshop on State Constitutional Revision (meeting summary),
1964.
Box 1, Folder 13
History of the California Constitution (speech),
1964.
Box 1, Folder 14
Constitutional Code of Laws of California (copy of laws),
1964.
Box 1, Folder 15
Report of a Committee on a Code of Fundamental Laws (committee report),
1964.
Box 1, Folder 16
Techniques for Simplifying a Constitution (unpublished report),
1964.
Box 1, Folder 17
Constitution of the United States and of the State of California (published book),
1965.
Box 1, Folder 18
Hamstrung Legislatures (published article),
1965.
Box 1, Folder 19
Final Report of the Assembly Interim Committee on Constitutional Amendments,
1965-67.
Box 1, Folder 20
Assembly Interim Committee on Constitutional Amendments - Summary of Testimony,
1968.
Box 1, Folder 21
Report of the Select Committee on Assembly Reorganization (state reports),
1968.
Box 1, Folder 22
Advisory Commission on Tax Reform - Researcher's Tentative Report and Tax Reform Report,
1968-70.
Box 1, Folder 23
California Revises Its Constitution (journal article),
1969.
Box 1, Folder 24
Facts about California Constitutional Revision (fact sheet),
1969.
Box 1, Folder 25
Status of Constitutional Revision (fact sheet),
1973.
Box 1, Folder 26
Unfinished Business -- Constitutional Revision (journal article),
1973.
Box 1, Folder 27
Constitutions of Other States,
n.d.
Box 1, Folder 28
Do You Know... Upon What Authority California Government Rests... (book chapter),
n.d.
Box 1, Folder 29
Forms of Legal Authority (unpublished article),
n.d.
Box 1, Folder 30
Initiative and Referendum (report),
n.d.
Box 1, Folder 31
Legislative Reorganization (speech),
n.d.
Box 1, Folder 32
Possible Approaches to Limiting Power to Amend Constitution (report),
n.d.
Box 1, Folder 33
A Summary of Constitutional One Subject Provisions (report),
n.d.
Subseries 2: Transporation Issues,
1965-1969.
Subseries Description
One of Donald Pflueger's committee assignments dealt with transportation issues. These documents provide background information.
This material is in chronological order.
Box 2, Folder 1
Diversion - Obstacle to Adequate Roads (report),
1965.
Box 2, Folder 2
The Freeway Establishment (journal article),
1968.
Box 2, Folder 3
Bay Area Transportation Report (folder 1 of 2),
1969.
Box 2, Folder 4
Bay Area Transportation Report (folder 2 of 2),
1969.
Box 2, Folder 5
California Transportation Resources (proposal prepared for state),
1969.
Box 2, Folder 6
Controversy over Rapid Transit (California Digest article),
1969.
Subseries 3: Personal files of Donald Pflueger,
n.d.
Subseries Description
These personal papers provide a sampling of Donald Pflueger's involvement in the committee process. Photographs appear to
be of a visit to the Huntington Library.
Box 2, Folder 7
Handwritten Notes and Two Speeches of Donald Pflueger,
n.d.
Box 2, Folder 8
Donald Pflueger - Personal Papers and Photographs,
n.d.
Series 2: Working Files of the Constitutional Revision Commission,
1964-1974.
Series Description
This series contains committee biographies, publicity material, general correspondence as well as agenda, minutes, and working
papers of the Commission. Also included are the reports prepared by subcommittees of the Commission. These committees met
on a monthly basis in various locations throughout California. These subcommitttes suggested revision of specific articles
of the Constitution. Written public comment concerning revision of a specific article is contained in the folder pertaining
to that article.
Subseries 1: Commission Agendas and Minutes,
1964-1970.
Box 2, Folder 9
Constitutional Revision Commission Agendas, Minutes, and Memorandum,
1964.
Box 2, Folder 10
Constitutional Revision Commission Agendas, Minutes, and Memorandum,
1965.
Box 2, Folder 11
Constitutional Revision Commission Agendas, Minutes, and Memorandum,
1966.
Box 2, Folder 12
Constitutional Revision Commission Agendas, Minutes, and Memorandum,
1967.
Box 2, Folder 13
Constitutional Revision Commission Agendas, Minutes, and Memorandum (folder 1 of 2),
1968.
Box 3, Folder 1
Constitutional Revision Commission Agendas, Minutes, and Memorandum (folder 2 of 2),
1968.
Box 3, Folder 2
Constitutional Revision Commission Agendas, Minutes, and Memorandum (folder 1 of 3),
1969.
Box 3, Folder 3
Constitutional Revision Commission Agendas, Minutes, and Memorandum (folder 2 of 3),
1969.
Box 3, Folder 4
Constitutional Revision Commission Agendas, Minutes, and Memorandum (folder 3 of 3),
1969.
Box 3, Folder 5
Constitutional Revision Commission Agendas, Minutes, and Memorandum (folder 1 of 3),
1970.
Box 3, Folder 6
Constitutional Revision Commission Agendas, Minutes, and Memorandum (folder 2 of 3),
1970.
Box 4, Folder 1
Constitutional Revision Commission Agendas, Minutes, and Memorandum (folder 3 of 3),
1970.
Constitutional Articles Committee reports on suggested revision, Subseries 2:
1964-1970.
Subseries Description
Folders include written public comments.
Box 4, Folder 2
Article 1 (folder 1 of 2),
1969-70.
Box 4, Folder 3
Article 1 (folder 2 of 2),
1969-70.
Box 4, Folder 9
Article 9 (folder 1 of 2),
1967-70.
Box 4, Folder 10
Article 9 (folder 2 of 2),
1967-70.
Box 5, Folder 2
Article 11 (folder 1 of 2),
1967.
Box 5, Folder 3
Article 11 (folder 2 of 2),
1967.
Box 5, Folder 5
Article 9, 11, and 12 - Background Study,
1968.
Box 5, Folder 6
Article 13 - Part 1,
1969-70.
Box 5, Folder 7
Article 13 - Part 2,
1969-70.
Box 6, Folder 1
Article 13 - Part 3,
1969-70.
Box 6, Folder 2
Article 13 - Part 4,
1969-70.
Box 6, Folder 3
Article 13 - Part 5,
1969-70.
Box 6, Folder 6
Article 16 - Part 1,
1969-70.
Box 7, Folder 1
Article 16 - Part 2,
1969-70.
Box 7, Folder 2
Article 20 - Part 1,
1968-70.
Box 7, Folder 3
Article 20 - Part 2,
1968-70.
Box 7, Folder 4
Article 20 - Part 3 (folder 1 of 2),
1969-70.
Box 7, Folder 5
Article 20 - Part 3 (folder 2 of 2),
1969-70.
Box 7, Folder 7
Article 23 (folder 1 of 2),
1969-70.
Box 7, Folder 8
Article 23 (folder 2 of 2),
1969-70.
Box 8, Folder 2
Article 26 - Part 1,
1969-70.
Box 8, Folder 3
Article 26 - Part 2,
1969-70.
Box 8, Folder 6
Revenue and Taxation Constitutional Provision from Articles XIII, IX, XI, and XII,
1970.
Box 8, Folder 7
Drafting Committee Reports,
1969-70.
Subseries 3: Biographical Information and Subcommittee Assignments,
1965-1970.
Subseries Description
These folders contain biographical information about each committee member and gives subcommittee assignments.
Box 8, Folder 9
Committee Membership,
1968-69.
Box 8, Folder 10
Speeches and Letters to Bruce Summner, Committee Chair,
1965-70.
Subseries 4: Incoming Letters,
1960-1974.
Subseries Description
These folders contain correspondence to commission members about meetings. Letters from the general public not pertaining
to a specific constitutional article are also filed in these folders.
Subseries 5: Publicity,
1965-1970.
Subseries Description
Included are press releases from the commissions, material provided to commission members who were to give speeches, and news
clippings about the Commission.
Box 9, Folder 5
Public Information Committee,
1965-66.
Box 9, Folder 6
Material for Speaking Engagements,
1966-68.
Box 9, Folder 7
News Clippings (folder 1 of 2),
1968-70.
Box 9, Folder 8
News Clippings (folder 2 of 2),
1968-70.
Series 3: Legislation and Voting Information,
1966-1974.
Series Description
Included in this box is information provided to the California voters concerning amendments to the California constitution.
Box 10, Folder 2
Four Proposals for Constitutional Revision (voter pamphlet),
n.d.
Box 10, Folder 3
All for Revision (voter pamphlet),
n.d.
Box 10, Folder 4
A Move to Improve - Four Proposals for Constitutional Revision (voter pamphlet),
n.d.
Box 10, Folder 5
Both Candidates Agree,
n.d.
Box 10, Folder 6
League of Women Voters - Prop 1 - Pro and Con,
n.d.
Box 10, Folder 7
League of Women Voters - Comprehensives,
1970.
Box 10, Folder 8
California Voter's Pamphlet (General Election, November 1974),
1974.
Box 10, Folder 9
California Election Extra,
1970,
Box 10, Folder 11
Assembly Constitutional Amendments,
1966-70.
Box 10, Folder 12
Proposed Amendments to the Constitution,
1968-70.
Box 10, Folder 13
Proposed Revision of the California Constitution,
1966.
Box 10, Folder 14
Proposed Revision of the California Constitution,
1968.
Box 10, Folder 15
Proposed Revision of the California Constitution,
1970.
Box 10, Folder 16
Proposed Revision of the California Constitution,
1971.
