The true Democrat., 1854-05-30
The Convention to Remodel the
 Constitution

F
 An act was passed by the last Legislature to take the sense of the qualified voters of this State for and against call of State conven- ton to modify and reform the present constl- Tuition of this Statc''
 In solving the question of the expedlcncy of a State convention to modify and reform our constitution there are many things to be consld- cred in connection with the importance of the reform demanded.
 The chief one is that of the expense attend inc the call of a convention; the expense of the election of members, and of the convention when assembed the expense of taking 1.-the sense of the qualified voters" upon the new constitution: and if adopted, the expense of the election and assembling of Legislature immediately thereafter to put the new govern ment into operation. Also, in this connection. should be considered the condition of our 6nan- ces, and the ability of our people to bear addi- honal burdens of taxation. We are not ac- quainted with the condition of the treasury but presume it is not overfowing with surplus means. he expenses above referred to. which would fall upon the people in the form of both State and county taxes, we may estimate safely at, at least one hundred thousand dollars.
 We must consider also, in connection with the proposed convention, the great confusion. and the consequent uncertainty and inconvenience attending that confusion, incident to the material alteration of the fundamental law of the land. and who can set limit to the extent of that alteration, when the convention once common ces the work? The constitution would have to be again construed and interpreted by the su- preme court, which would only be done after years of litigation.
 And we must also consider the great risk we incur of securing, at last constitution as per- feet and faultless as the one we now enjoy
 These are all important questions and should be considered in connection with the importance of the proposed reforms and the importance of calling convention to make them, when the Legislature is authorized to do so much.
 The constitution provides for it's amendment as follows:
 "The general assembly may at any time pro- pose such amendments to this constitution as tWo-thlrds ot each house shall deem eypedient. which shall be published in all the newspapers Ill this State three several times, at least twelve months before the next general election: and if at the hrst session of the general assembly af- ter such general election, tWO-thirds of each house, by yeas and nays, ratlty such proposed amendment, they shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as parts of this constitution: Pro- Utdel, That such proposed amendments shall be read on three several days i'll each house, as we'll when the same are proposed, as when they are finally ratified"
 The chief amendments proposed by the ad vOcates of a convention, are to alter the cOnsti- tuition so as to authorize banking and toremove the election of Supreme Judges, Secretary of State, Auditor Treasurer, etc, from the Legis lature to the people.
 Now, upon both of these points, we hayenot only the authority of the constitution to act through the Legislature, but We have prece- dents in our past Legislation to guide Us. The constitution, as originally framed and adopted authorized the creation of banks, but, after d trial of the experiment and its failure, it was so amended, by the Legislature, as to prohbit all banks and banking. Thus 1t will be seen that, l Ill reference to this very question, should the 1 people desire the establishment of banks again in this State, there is a method fOranending the constitution, approved and sanctioned by the constitution itself, without ncurringt the risk and expense of calling State convention
 And the same may be said in regard to the subject of bringing the election of all State of ficerS before the people. The Legislature in l848, we believe it was, so altered the constitu- ton that the election of circuit judges and dis trct attorneys as removed from the Legisla- ture to the people. Thus since this very thing has been accomplished, once without q conven- ton, we cannot see any reason why it cannot be done again with equal propriety.
 It is true we do not entirely approve the amending the constitution by enactments of the Legislature, but in this instance, where the amendments required are few, and the expense of calling State convention very great, we do not know but that 1t Is the most preferable mode. It will be found upon examination, that the power given to the Legislature to amend the constitution, is we'll guarded. It not only requires the sanction of the Governor and two- thirds of two different Legislatures to incorpo- rate any amendment in the constitution, but the people also, indirectly, have a vote upon it. -~.>->~s-
 1 GF We must acknowledge our indebtedness to MT. Johnson for bowl of very finely ha- vored ice cream. This gentleman keeps a con iectlonary on Main strea and has always on hand the greatest variety of the delicacies of the season. In praise of his ice cream, upon