New-York daily tribune., 1858-02-08
LRwRENCE, X. T., Jan. g, 1853.

The bill providing for a Constitutional
Convention passed the Council yesterday, but
as it was considerably modified it will yet have
to 60 through the House again. 1t will in an
likelihood, however, become a law to-day or to.
morrow The Council changed it so that the Con.
yention is to meet at Lawrence instead Of Leavon.
worth They however singuary enough, pro.
yded that the first State Legislature should assen.
bic at Topeka. That this Territorial Legislature
should have power to fix the place for the assembling
Of the Convention is matter of course, but that
they have any power 10 the future State capital
s doubtful. The bill il likely t. become a law.
with the following essential features: First that
the Convention shall consist Of one hundred Dele.
gates second that the election shall be held on the
first Monday il March; third, that the Convention
shall assemble on the third Monday Of that month;
aud fourth, that the Constitution framed by them
shall be submitted to the people at early date as
possible. (I think it will remain the first Monday
in Msy.) Thus it will be scen that the Constitution
so framed will be- before Congress in little more
than one hundred days.
1t was strongly urged by many that new census
should be taken but as this would have delayed the
matter month or two longer, it was deferred. The
spportionment was based on the vote cast at the
different elections within the past few months.
They start of by FIRST allowing each county dele
gate, and then increasing the number to the cOun-
ties in accordance with estimated population. The
10 dsfrancbEed counties get some 40 delegates and
several other counties that had much too small
representation, under the bogus affair have had il
increased, that one-half of the representation is
virtually given 70 those who had none. Perhaps
under these circumstances, the apportionment Is
open 10 as few objections as any that would be likely
10 be made Some OF the members from the Border
counties insisted on, and did get more than they
laA 70. t,tn..
fact was, that under the Border-Ru apportion-
ments they have always got lions share, and they
do not like 10 give il up.
am thus particular in alludng IN this Conven-
ton law because il naugurates new act in the
drama 1t may be the means Of settling tho dlff-
Guilty or It may only serve 10 comphcate question
already too much complicated. IL will, however.
BE- the act of the people II will be fresh from the
present population, not more fresh, indeed, than
the ratifications Of the Topeka Constitution; but
under all the steps thus taken tho shoals Of political
aspirants now in Kansas can have fresh chance In
the distribution of positions. This would indeed
be but sorry cause for which 10 set the old bark Of
freedom adrift but If the act can unite the Free
State party, the price would not be too much That
il will do 80, however, is far from certain. II is
feared that there is Glaze Of men in the Free-Stats
ranks small, il s true, but ever active aud yigant
a. they are unscrupulous who will never be satisfied
with any arrangement save that which psnders their
individual ambition Ii IL even believed that such
men will soon openly coalesce with the enemy.
But it is better perhaps that the people Of Kansas
should take the field, and eDdeavor once more 10
give to the world those sentiments they have 20
long and 80 faithfully maintained.
state all these particulars, for the cause Of Kan
sss Is the cause Of every lover Of free government
and It is but night that all should know every thros
that dsturbs the body poitic Of Kansas. In drsw-
ing the picture Of any struggle for human rights, ne
lshts and shadows nwt bs beaded, " As sasssu