The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-10-30

Eds Nepz-I am sorry to soc you take
ground against Constitutional Convention.
You at Galveston do not appreciate the nes
cessity of it. The Democratic party has no
more imperative duty to perform than that
of restoring to this people a pure Judiciary
and an economic administration Of tho
laws, and that right speedily. Now, though
/ approved of your idea of q Commissi0n %
suggest amendments 10 the Constitution al
the time it was made-because amendments
proposed then could have been perfected ia
January-that mode Of amendment is not 70
be thought of now, because It would require
three years to amend our Constitution there
by, and the exgencies Of the case prohibit
that delay. We have thirty-fvo district
judges appointed by Governor Davis who
will hold Office for years longer They were
selected for the most part from among bis
Radical retainers, and are chiefly noted for
their want Of learning and their fidelity 70
him. Now in Galveston you have an cxcep-
tionally good judge and gentleman, abbott
of tho Radical persuasion; but just tllink
of the divers, and SCOTS, and Chambers
and AIaneys, and Bardens, and tho likes 81
them who bring disgrace upon the name Of
Judge, and then say are you willing that the
people shall put up with them for three
years longer.
Again by the Constitution tho District
Court must be held three times year ID
each county. That may suit you very well
in the rich, popuious aud commercial city
of Galveston, but it is a tremendous tax
upon the poor and thinly populated counties.
In this county the expenses Of court arc
sinking us in debt every year. Our county
taxes don't begin TO pay the expense oi
jurors, bailihs, etc, etc. Two terms q year
are as much rs we can staggcr under. DO
you insist that we shall bear this burden
three more years. Again under this pres.
ent constitution every voter is q competent
juror, though he be deaf, dumb, blind and
can't understand English. / think every.
body will concede that there would be noth-
ing anti-rcpublican in providing that at least
one man upon each jury should be capablc
Of reading and writing verdict. Must We
wait three years for TINT needed amend.
mentl Where I live the case Is an cx-
ceptional one IN which q juror can read 0f
write. II IS an interesting and highly iu,
pressiye scene to behold, as We frequently
behold our sapient judge with becoming
gravity, deliver bis charge Ia writing ID
some case Of deep concern, 10 q sable jury
whereof not man can read or write IA
case Of that character, recently, inyolfinea
large amount, the jury, after looking for ito
whole night, came into court aad announced
that they had found a verdict His honor
asked what their verdict was Their fore
man replied, We find the defendant
guilty Guilty What DO you mean lf
that~ we find him guilty Of not paying
his debts" Oh, very wcll 3IF. Clerk
make them out a verdict
! might point you 20 many other incon-
vcniences with which the admin lfniion Of
justice Is burdened by this Constitution
and which ought to be ii once removed
but the list IS too long 20 insert b here Ii
Is only By ignoring the plain mandate 81
the Constitution nov, iu many cases. from
necessity, that foreclosures 81 moffgage oI
sales Of city property, underdccfeeo court
can be effected.
Your fears that e Constitutional Conffa
ton would upset things generally are uttaf
gr0undlees. That the convention would In.
terfcre At oil with the term of Office of flf
Governor and Legislature Ue ore about io
elect IS not q supposable case.
The conclusion 81 the whole matter
this: An honest and enlightened Iud|cIar4
and en- economical Judicial system are g.
sentiai 70 the wcll.beinQ 81 TIE people f
Is the mission of the Democratic 1arlY ~
give these 70 ue, and u put on that 4aI4 foI
as yet three long years would bc such DER
ELECTION as ought % damn tic paliy
means 81 convention this great eoed
be accomplished III three months sitter Iit
meeting of fhe Legislature by coum
sion and Dy amendments proposed 81 fl
Legislature and 10 Be- submitted - the r
Il viii require three year. % acconpII. =
a CotsTgFft1