Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1873-01-21


We see that some papers advise q
Constitutional Conven ton. Two
years ago this proposition was en-
phaticslly voted down, and we be-
lieve IL would be again. 1t is true
we suffer under q great many evils.
Subscribers don't pay the printer !
pork and beef are too low for the
farmers taxes are high-times are
hard. The State taxes US; the
Church taxes as. Our own habits
are pretty expensive, and ell COM
bine to wheedIe us out of what little
cash we can get hold Of But of all
the evils We suffer under our State
Constitution is the least, since we
must have Constitution.
Would a Convention costing the
State at least 5000, 900 pay the peo-
pie or the promoters of such an en-.
terprise? What fault is there in the
Constitution that the people cannot
mend without Convention Aim.
it should DO put on the power of
towns, counties and cities mourning
debts for the construction of rail-
roads, and 10 making other improve
ments. b. there is q proposition
now to amend the Constitution IN
this respect. II is as certain TO pass
when voted on by tho people as q
separate proposition as if proposed
by Convention 10 bran new Com
stitutiOn.
Schemers wish TO rush us into mi>
nority representation. We can af-
ford TO wait till We see how this
works in other States that may think
proper to adopt it. The bungling
scheme at beat can only BIO applied
to a few officers-such as members Of
the Legislature where districts are
clamped together. Each elector has
three votes, and a minority 10 some
cases elect their candidate il each
minority elector casts all his votes
for the same person. But if there
were several candidates compe ting
for the votes OF the majority, il
would happen, as often now, that the
minority would elect the whole trio
OF candidates. Republican govern.
ment is based upon the theory that
political truth will some time or 9th.
or predominate. That if minorities
are right they will some time other
increase into majorties and contro !
the nation, and all subordinate divis.
ions and departments of it, That il
minorities are wrong they will final
Iy be crushed out and finally disap
pear under continual defeat at the
polls. The right Of minorties is th %
right to convert their fellow citizens
r.. - r.
majority and minority parties have
precisely equal chances TO acquire
political power and honor there
would be no lite to our political
movements, and political stagnation
would lead to personal and political
corruption.
Some persons are dissatisfied with
oar judicial system. They want
litigation hurried up. Well, if the
Legislature represents the people
fairly the proceedings are too swift
now for the debtor class. There are
just as many of these IS of the credi-
tor class. Our Legislature has allow
Cd 90 additional year to a mortgagor
70 redeem his land fer the reason
that the court did not allow him suf-
6ciont time. But il our courts are
100 slow now, we do not soc how
Constitution can better the matter
II is wholly in the power of the leg
stature to manage that
Constitutions can be altered, as the
Constitution Of the United States,
without Conventions. The chances
Of improvement are uncertain but
the expense and increase oftaxation
would be unavoidable.