Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1846-09-12
OUR CONSTITUTION.
70 the Editors of The Republican:

In late number Of your valuable paper, you
ask the majority who voted against and rejected
The proposed new constitution: "What they pro
pose to dog And il they are content "to continue
in the present state Of lhings?'
Being of that ma ority, and one among many
who, after mature reflection, and we'll weighing
all consequences; and after free consultation with
hundreds Of others, determined to reject that
banting Of demasogueiSm, with view to a
better or none-we feel called upon by your
intenogalories, if you will allow US hearing, TO
reply.
Not TO advert, at this time, 10 the great
unanimity considering the state of political par
ties) with which the Convention araS called; nor,
10 the meagre vote Of the State, cast for delegates
TO that Convention, Upon the discovery, through
the press and from the stump, Of the character OF
the amendments 10 proposed-beore DISCUS.
ed, or intentionally not designated) nor yet 10
the unprecedented large ma oriy Gncluding those
who refused TO vote at all upon iD cast against it.;
and in view of the mixed character of the polli.
cal vote for and againstit- argument is clear,
that large majority Of the State was, and is yet
in lavor of changes and amendments to our cons
stitution. The same argument is reasonably
conclusive proof that the amendments, or the
thing offered to the people, was not what they
desired. It's rejection was confidently anticipa,
ted from the day OF the election OF delegates.
We, then, are not content $50 continue in the
present state Of things" and we stand ready to
cooperate with and support the men and meas,
ures which shall favor such amendments, either
by legislative propositions, or convention, as
shall promise practical relief and reasonable
consistency with the native rights and inalienable
privileges OF free people.
Many, and we have no doubt ma iority would
heartily support, if proposed, amendments Of the
following description. And first, in Importance,
OF Representation:
Representation shall be according to taxation
and population.
TO equaze population, taxation and represen.
tation, strict adherence 10 the district system
wiU accomplish it.
Plan: Beginning on some established base,
either range and township line of the U. States
surveys or the Missouri or Mississippi rivers,
let the Stale (the inhabitants first being enumera
ted) be laid off into districts of Congressional or
townships, beginning upon such base,
and including contiguous townships north, south,
east or west, as the may be, until the district
shall contain the nearest approximation (under or
over) to the ratio Of representation, never to
exceed one hundred members of the House, and
three such districts, contiguous, Tor a senatorial
without regard to county lines.
This plan is not new proposition, and has
democratic sanction older and more respectable
than Gov. Edwards. BY this plan, population
and territory would have representation, and
central influences, always prejudicial TO border
populations, would be broken up, and every sec.
ton Of the Stale would be secure in impartial
Second. Of Banks, Corporations and Inter.
nal lmprOrements.-Drop out every provision in
relation to them, leaving the people free, through
their representatives, TO do, not 10 do, as their
convenience, interest and wisdom might dictate.
Third. Of The Ldiciary.- to the people
Of their respective districts the election OF Judges
limiting the tenure Of office TO sixty years OF age
and to good behavior, and subecting them to
impeachment and trial for misdemeanors in Office
All vacancies to be filled by election.
As one OF the people, and one who was anxious
10 sustain any reasonable production of the Con-
vention, and acting with others, believe il our
next Legislature will propose the above sugges,
ted amendments, they will be sustained by large
majority Of both political parties. X.