The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1857-07-15
The new BETTER shaM the Ola Con.
stbsutlon.

ment and the rights and liberties OF all the
people of che State, ought not to be narrowed
down to mere exposition OF the party prin-
ciples and party policy Of aportion only OF
the citizens. We have shown that in the for
nation Of the new Constitution its several
articles were voted upon and adopted in
convention with view to the best interests
and true policy of the State, and not by any
means upon party grounds. We HAYS thus
obtained the draft Of Constitution upon
correct principles, concurred in by the sub
stantial men Of both parties in convention,
unacceptable to the people Of oil parties in
its general features.
NO SicoKR EQUALITY IN THE CONSTITUTION.
We have also shown pretty clearly and
conclusivcly that the party prejudice at
tempted to be excited against the Consti-
tuition, upon the pretence Of niger equality,
is unjust and without foundation, all the
clauses in the Constitution in reference to
that subject, having received the sanction OF
leading and sound National Democrats in
convention, and being advocated by many
more such before the people.
''Lrr THE PEoPLE REGULATE THEIR own rSsrr.
rurIoNs."
Further, we have tried to demonstrate to
the people the absolute necessity Of bank
ing system in our State to promote the well
being and prosperity Of the people. And
have shown that no man who sincerely be-
lieves in the doctrine Of ''popular sovereign
ty" and the right Of the people to decide up
on their own institutions for themselves, can
consistently deny the right of the people to
decide whether they will have Banks or not,
while they insist upon their right to decide
whether they will have slaves or not.
THE NEW BETTER THAN THE OLD.
We desire now to a.lude briefly to some
other articles in which the now Constitution
is evidently better than the old, and more in
accordance with the views Of the citizens of
our State generally.
As to the School Matters.
In relation to schools, for instance, one OF
the prime interests Of the State for the pres
ent and the future, our experience under the
old Constitution has been most lamentable,
The legislation has been without system, in
congruous, changeable and contradictory,
and the management OF the schools has been
inefficient, and the funds have been corrupt
ly diverted to private uses and speculations,
resulting in great loss to the State. The
system proposed in the new Constitution lie,
in its main features, similar to that adopted
and advocated in States where the cause OF
education has made the greatest progress
and has the most experienced advocates OF
schools for it's endorsers. The Board who
will have the management of the schools
of the State are to be selected by the several
Judicial Districts, and will be chosen from
among that class Of men who have paid most
attention to education and are best qualified
to adopt measures for the promotion and
welfare Of the schools. And, as a matter of
course, q few men selected from various por-
tons Of the State, with special reference to
their Qualifications for the management of
the system Of education, and with ample time
to attend to the business, will be more likely
to frame wise system and watch and guard
its operations, than large body Of men like
the Legislature, selected with no special view
to that subject, and having a great variety
of other kinds Of business to attend to-
Surely experience and common sense render
it evident that in regard to the great inter-
ests OF education, the new Constitution is far
preferable to the old.
The Nuisance Of Special Liquidation Aba-
ted.
The new Constitution contains prohibi :
ton OF special legislation. Let any one at
tend session Of our Legislature, or exam
anime volume Of our statutes and he will
be willing to forcgo every objection be may
honestly entertain to the new Constitution
for the sake Of this provision. We venture
to say that four OF the time and the
energies Of the members Of the General As.
sembly are absorbed by private bills and
special legislation Of various kinds, and the
number Of such bills passed bears about that
proportion to the general laws Of the SEES
sion. These private bills attract great in.
tux OF lobby members, who press them upon
the attention Of the Legislature very FIRE.
quently to the utter exclusion Of necessary
bills OF general interest and Importance
This special legislation is very gres, nui.
sanca, leading to the sacrifice Of importan,
bills Of general character, adding immense
ly to the expense of legislation, opneing the
avenues of corruption, and oftentimes doing
great injusticeeto one class Of private indi-
vidaals for the benefit Of another. Under
the prohibition Of the new Constitution the
source Of all these evils willb dried up.
Time q Holding Elections.
The change OF time for holding the gem
eral elections of the State, provided for by
the new Constitution, was made in accord
ance with universal desire on the part OF
the people. The experience Of other States,
as well Ms Of our own, has demonstrated tbs
Inconvenience and mpolsy Of holding cleo.
tons in August, and they have consequently
changed to the month Of October. The PEG.
pie OF our State desire the same change
and the new Constitution makes it. Thi.
general desire for change is reasonable.
III" people Of our cauntry claim the right
Of sell government, and are held RESPONSE
bic Tor the exercise OF the right wisely and
well. In order TO do SO they must inform
themselves IN regard TO principles and meas
ures, and learn the views Of those who are
proposed for office, snd they must also at.
,end,he polls. Mdsummer, the busiest and