The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1859-07-26
Constitutional Convention.
The following excellent article is from IL
New Albany Tribune

The following excellent article is from the
New Albany Tribune:
The question of amending the present
constitution seems to have been almost for
gotten for time. The subject has scarcely
hoen ,a.-sniianai ;,.-sL--r-PvTo TUr u mohth,
until within the past few days, when it has
been brought TO the attention of the public.
The leaders of the Democratic party, assem-
bled in caucus at indianapolis, determined
some time since, that the proposition to call
a new convention should be defeated, if their
influence could effect that end. They are
accordingly making preparations to array
the Democratic party against the measure.
The first public demonstration was made at
the Harrison county convention last week,
held under the auspices of Mr.. Cyrus l.
Dunbam, when a resolution was adopted in
opposition to the proposed convention
This proceeding will doubtless be re-enact-
ed in other Democratic county conventions
yet to be held. The reason why the lead
ers of the Democracy oppose the holding OF
a convention is potent to all. They believe
that if a convention should be called, their
party would have bare majority in the
same, and that some Objectionable features
of the present constitution, which were in
serted for party purposes, would be in dan
ger of expurgation.
Hence, they oppose the proposition, with
out setting forth any just and sufficient
cause for doing so. They do not assert that
the present constitution is perfect. They
admit its imperfection; that it is so ambig-
uouS, in fact, that after seven years expe-
rience, no one can pretend to properly I'M
dersrand it. But they assert that to call q
new convention is not the best mode OF
amending the constitution; that the amend
ments should be made by the Legislature,
thus saving the State the pdst expense @
of convention.
To amend the constitution in the manner
proposed by the Democratic leaders would
require more than four years. 1t would be
| impossible to submit Legislative amend
ments to the people before October, 1862
and that the people are willing to bear with
the imperfectlons of the present constitution
un,il that time, when they can be remedied
/ by a convention in the course of few
/ months, we cannot believe. But it is claim.
| ed that if a convention is called and new
constitution framed, the people will have to
accept all the work or reject all, wherea:
| lJeRlSldllNt Ssiu UC dStcu upOA
separately.
| This objection is both frivolous AMI un,
true. At the adoption of the last constitu-
ton, the article relating to negroes was
voted upon separately, and if new conven
ton should be called, it would, doubtless
present important provisions separately, j
there should be doubt rs to the views o
a majority of the voters of the State upol
them.
The expense Of the proposed convention
is presented as weighty reason why i
should not be held, and that expense is mos
shamefully exaggerated. The Harrison
county convention, alluded to above, assert
that it will not be less than 100000 Thi
shows without doubt that the members O
that convention were lacking either in com
mon honesty or common sense. The las
constitutional convention was composed {
one hundred and fifty men, was in sessio
four months, and cost the State abou
$4,000. .4ss
Taking this as a criterion, we can forr
an estimate of the cost of the proposed cor
vention. Every one acquainted with Leg
, islative business will acknowledge that til
less cumbersome a body is, the more RAJ
. idly it will accomplish its business. On
hundred members will accomplish give
work in one-third less time than one hui
: dred and fifty members, as there are ffi
5 persons less to talk, vote, and occupy tim
We have, therefore, the proposition II II