The Nevada journal., 1852-02-28
MAJORITY ANo MIN GRITTY
Reports Of the Select Committee on the Re
vision of the Consultation.
MINORITY REPORT.

INNhhhAtbtCS w WhtNA WSko o
much of the Governors Message a
related to unequal taxation and tn
calling of convention, and to whicl
also was referred certain "Bills Il
provide fer the mode Of calling tha
convention, beg leave respectfully tt
submit the following report:
The Constitution contains within it
self a remedy for its own defects, by
providing safe and plain mode where
| by it may be amended or revised ant
by prescribing one efficient mode o
revision, it does, of necessity, implied
lv refuse to recognize any other mode
The majority Of the committee, by
the tenor of their report, deny the ex
istence of such an implication. With
them article x, section 2 of the con
stitution is merely recommendation
of mode of revision-is directory
not barring other modes; it is, in fact
a superfuity. The same reasoning
would lead them to declare that the
sacred constitution of the United States,
most remarkable for its conciseness,
contains similar superfuities; for ar
ticle V of that instrument provides the
manner of its own amendments, and
does not directly forbid any other man
ner. Yet who that values his reputa-
tion would dare propose newly in.
vented plan Of amending that instru-
ment?
1t never could have been the intep-
ton of those who framed or those who
accepted our present constitution, to
leave it in the power of the accidental
majority of today to destroy the entire
basis and foundation of our govern
ment, in order to substitute one of
their own creation; and again, to the
accidental majority of tomorrow, to
destroy the work Of to-day. To pre-
vent the anarchy; nay, to prevent the
civil wars that would necessarily en-
sue from this ceaseless change in the
fundamental principles Of our govern
ment. they wisely provide that when
two thirds of the members of the Sem
ate and Assembly shall think it neces-
sary to change the entire constitution,
that they shall recommend to the elec-
tors to vote for or against conven-
ton and if a majority Of votes be in
favor of convention, then it may be
called But it is now seriously pro-
posed that bare majority of this Le-
gislature shall do that which, by the
constitution, two thirds OF their num-
Der cannot do, viz: call convention
without previously consulting the peo-
pie.
Our declaration of rights says, go
vernment is instituted for the protec-
ton, security and benefit of the people;
they have the right to alter or reform
the same whenever the public good
may require it."
How are we to know when the pub
lie good requires a reform? Shall we
enquire of the people, according to the
rules which they themselves have
made for their own protection, securi-
ty and benefit; or shall we, assuming
a power not delegated to us, insist that
we are the exponents of public opin-
ion on this point, and declare the time
has come when public good demands
a thorough change, ard use orr infu-
enca as legislators to force upon our
fellow -citizens reform, in u fashion not
approved by them?
If this measure succeed, delegates
will be sent even from those counties
that are unanimously opposed to it =
They will argue thus: AS we ma be
bound by the action Of this convention,
it is best TO be represented there And,
in this way, few men in this Legis-
lature may succeed in convening del
egates from every portion of the state,
at the very time that nine-tenths of the
voters are bitterly opposed TO the con-
vention.
The measures proposed by the ma
jority of the committee are, in the
opinion of the undersigned, emphati-
cally revolutionary. We know of no
grievances or evils caused by the con-
stitution, that cannot be redressed or
cured in sure yet legal manner; and
n 4 ii H..
efits withheld by the constitution, that
cannot be attained without revolu-
ton.
The majority of this committee have
assigned the hot haste of the trainers
of our constitution as the chief cause
Of its defects.
We must remember that 1t was
written and adopted at time when no
government existed, and when some
government was needed to RESTRAIN m
Has .