Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1846-09-12
THE NEXT LEGISLATURE,


speculation is INDUCED in as to what steps
it will take on the subject of proposing
amendments to the Constitution. The
general impression is that it will propose
amendments, in several particulars, and
we notice some of the presses are suggest
ing such amendments as suit their views.
The "St Charles Advertiser" suggests that
the features of the rejected constitution
be proposed separately, and submitted to
the vote of the people, as separate amend.
ments. Each elector can vote for such
amendments as he is in favor of, and omit
to vote for such as he is opposed 10. We
think it a bad plan to propose too many al
terations at the same time. This was the
great evil of the late Convention. The
delegates transcribed their powers. They
were not content to do what the people
had demanded, and 60 home, but must go
on to alter almost every feature of the
constitution. And in the effort TO carry
amendments not called for by the people.
those called for, were neglected, and bar
tered and frittered away, until they would
hardly have been received had they been
submitted to the people alone; but when
submitted, in connection with other amend
ments, uncaled for, injudcious and impoli-
tic, and in such q shape that the huge
lump of evil must be swallowed to obtain
the morsel of good, they very promptly
rejected the whole. 1t is useless to submit
that instrument again to the people, either
Jointly or separately. We doubt whether
any one important feature of it would re-
ceive the sanction of the people, if submit
ted to them by itself. 1t is useless, then,
to talk of it. But it is admitted on all
hands, that something ought, and will be
done. What shall that be?
To our mind it seems clear, that the
Legislature ought not to attempt to amend
the constitution in but one particular, to-
wit: Representation. Nothing else ought
to be attempted, until Representation is
made Equal; then the Legislature would
reflect the wishes of the people, and could
consistently carry out those wishes. This
is the starting point, and until it is fairly
adjusted, we shall always be wrong; and
q large body of the people will oppose any
and every thing that is attempted, until this
evil is remedied. To remedy this evil,
then, isthe great question upon which every
other one hangs. How shall it be done!-
How shall the matter be adjusted between
the large and small counties-belween the
minority and the majority, in a satisfactory
manner3 1t is clear that the plan proposed
by the rejected constitution will not an
swer. The large and small counties both
united in voting it down--the former, be-
cause it was favorable to the latter, and the
latter, because that favor was extended to
them upon the district plan--that is,
where a county had not the ratio, it was to
be attached TO like county or counties,
until the ratio was obtained, and the coun.
ties thus attached, TO form district.
The district plan, regardless of county
lines, formed by township lines of the
United States surveys, has also been pro,
posed by different persons and papers, and,
we believe, was proposed in the late con-
vention; but as yet it has met with very
little favor. Nor do we think it likely to
become popular with the people; we think
they will be disposed to adhere to county
lines, under any state of circumstances.
Again--we have heard this plan sug,
gested: Strike out the clause in the eonsti-
tuition limiting the number of representa-
tives to one hundred, and make the popula-
ton Of the smallest county the ratio, giving
it one representative, and proceed thus to
give counties of greater population a lar,
ger number of representatives.. The OBJ
lection to this plan is, that it will give too
many representatives, and, as a matter of
course, greatly increase the expenses of
the State. The expense is the great OBJ.
lection to this plan. We do not think that
will be as great as many would be led to
believe, at first thought. The sessions of
the Legislature would not, in all probabili-
ty, be as long as they have been. Expe-
rience has shown that large bodies Of men