Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-02-23
Remarks Of Hon. C. J. Morris of Cum.
hprland


support of his Resolutions tor an amendment to
the Constitution providing for Constitutional
Convention,
At the commencement of the session, /
submitted series of proposed amendments to
the constitution of this State. The changes
suggested were so numerous and radical in
their character, that the almost universal re-
Spouse from the press and people was for a
convention to revise. instead of attempting
such extensive amendments, and when a
movement was made in the other branch in
this direction, not wishing to go to the COM
mittee on bare order, / submitted bill pro-
viding for the calling Of such a convention.
The question has since arisen, as TO the au-
thority of the legislature to call convention,
one Of our most eminent judges believing that
we have that power, another who has given it
attention, being equally confident that we
have not. As it would be very unfortunate to
have any feeling Of doubt connected with so
important movement, and believing that
the years delay which it would occasion
would be favorable for more thorough dis
cussion Of the subject by the press, and would
probably lead to calmer and clearer express
sion of the views of the people, called the
attention of the committee to such facts as
had GENE to my knowledge, and requested
them, instead of the bill which had been SUBJ
mitted to them, to report an amendment to
the constitution giving the necessary power to
call such convention. | wish now to sub
init few remarks upon the general question
of revising the constitution, as being the most
practical manner of discussing the merits of
the proposed amendment which is the question
really before US. 4,
This question Of revising or amending the
constitution, is one of deep interest TO the
people of this State. 1t is no triaing matter
to set aside or modify that which has been the
primary law and the foundation for the legis-
lation Of this commonw ealth for two genera
tons. The present constitution dates back to
onr commencement as State. Whatever of
advancement we have made, our increase in
knowledge, wealth, and numbers, and our
standing among the sister States of this Re-
public, has all been accomplished under the
authority and provisions of this instrument.
Well has it served us thus far, and good and
sufficient reasons must be advanced before the
people will consent to abandon or mate
rally modify it. And it is a matter of no
small moment to attempt to frame an instru-
ment which shall provide for the present and
prospective wants of the State for perhaps
fifty years to come. If change is made in
our constitution it will undoubtedly be a
decided and radical one, SO fast and far reach
ing would be the influence for good or evil
which such change would produce; that it
would be attended, in my own mind, with a
feeling of responsibility which does not at
tach to the passage of common laws. Never
in the history of our State was there time
which more imperatively demanded wisdom,
frmness of purpose, enlightened and far-see-
ing craftsmanship and generous abandon
ment of party prejudice for the general good
than at the present time and tor this particu-
lar purpose. He who would advocate such a
change, merely for the excitement attending
change, for the purpose of gaining brief
notority for any personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT or
selfish views whatever, is not worthy to be
called citizen Of the State, nor can we re-
gard as any more deserving, he who from
tiinidity, anticipated difficulties, or absurd
prejudcies, refuses his aid in this work
There is very general feeling of generation
for that which is old, which has the authority
of age and the sanction of the fathers, and
especially so in the case of constitutional
law. 1t is kind of sentimental feeling with
which / can sympathze to quite an extent,
but We need something beside sentiment, how
ever pure andrefined it may be, to enable us to
meet the duties and solve the problems of the
present hour. The men of to-day are terribly
in earnest and they deal with living issues.
And while fine sentimental feelings may be
supposed to be an honor to our hearts, it is
not always safe to allow them to quiet our in
terests. The toys, amusements and regula-
f.ions of the nursery were laid aside when we
entered in earnest upon the real duties of
life. not from any inherent wrong in them
selves but because they failed to meet the
wants ola matured manhood, and if in any d.
rection we have outgrown the provisions of
our constitutions no sentimental feeling should
prevent our changing and adapting it to the
wants of the present time. The population
Of this State at the adoption OF the present
constitution was POS, 1856, 1870 was 626, 695;
valuation $20,962,77S. In report submitted
by the authorities of the State to the depart
ment of the interior in 1868 it was estimated
at 1914, 035, 900 on gold basis or more than
seventeen times larger than in 1920. The
number Of polls 59,36S against 1000 in
1860. The amount invested in manufactures
! have not been able to ascertain, but it must
have been very small, while in 1853 it was
SSl ,2s7 ,695. There was not q mile of rail-
road at that time in the State.-There is to-
day 700 miles costing 1928, 900, 600 or SO, 00O,-
900 more than the original value of the whole
State.
These statistics are sufficient to place the
condition and wants of the State in 1920 in
striking constrast with those of 1871. And
while the present constitution may have met
every want of those early days, and was an
honor to those who framed it, its provisions
are very inadequate to the wants of the pres
ent time. Permit me to call attention to
some of the changes which l regard as neces-
sary or desirable, saying first, that there
is no necessity for any change in the dec
laration of rights. Human rights which
are the same in all ages, whether recognized
or not, are plainly and definitely set forth in
this instrument.
The first change l will suggest as being
necessary is some constitutional restrictions
in the form of legislation. All who have had
legislative experience are aware that many
abuses creep in under suspensions of the
rules, and hasty legislation, especially near
the close of the session many bill is passed
without division, which could not have be-
come law had the vote been taken by yeas
and nays. 1t is urged as an objection that it
would make legislation lengthy and tedious.
But it is an old and sound maxim, that what
ever is worth doing at all is of sufficient i'm
portance to demand that it shall be done well.
SEcoNp.--The prohibition of all special
Legislation. At the last session 745 acts and
resolves were passed, more than one half Of
which were private and special laws. 1t has