The Waco daily examiner. [volume] (Waco, Tex.) 187?-1888, 1874-02-15
EditorIa, corrcsp ondencc.
ANEW CONSTITUTION


AiaAlN, A w. /
As to the propriety and Importance of
new Constitution to replace the Radical
botchwork foisted upon the State, there
is, among Democgats, but little if qpy di,
versity of opiniop. TBe subjcet hps heen
eauvsssed thoroughly, and the largely
predominant sentiment is that we should
have a new Constitution. ~
The only question is asto low or by
whom, the proposed new Constitution
shall be formed. With regard t6 thfy,
there Are two propositions ROW sup for
consideration. One, State Convention.
composed OF two delegates from each
Senatorial District, and thirty from the
Staseft large, tn be elected for TINT one
specific purpose; tlielotlier, o. Joint Com
missioo, consisting of FIVE members from
zach of the two branchesiof the Legisla-
ture, and five citizens to be appointed by
the dorelnor TO frame Constitution; the
instrninen nrthe tpttolScase to be submits
led to the Legislature, and by that body
toithe people, for rejec,ionor adoption,
asfheymay decide. ,.eoe /, ,s..,t ,.,.....
In favor of the first IS the argument OF
Democratic precedent: and 1t is claimed
by the advocates of Il constitutional Com
yention that any other plan would Id d
dangerous departure from the old Demo
cratic rule. 1t Isl also cliimed that h
Constitutional Convention was pledged
by the Democratic Platform; that the
fight was'rnddc and victory won upon the
issue, and that now, to put the people of
with anything less, would be an act of
bad faith. '''''
Now, conceding the full force Of these
claims, let us take view of the other
side Of the question. To begin with,
the cost of. Constitutional Convention
would be at least $3.50. 900, probably
more. The Treasury is empty; and State
paper both bonds and warrants, is at Il
ruinous discount. Where is the. money
to come froml A special tax is the oAly
available resource,y and for this the peo-
pie, whatever politicians may say, are but
| poorly prepared. The ostsltould NOT, il
is true, be considered an objection, were
the new Constitution a prime necessity
But 1t is not. With all its defects, the
present Constitution is not such, as under
a good, honest Democratic administra,
ton, can materially affect the interests OF
the people, and | submit it as a. simple
business proposition that it is cheaper and
better to retain the present Constitution,
at least for a while,s rather than subject
/ the people to another heavy tax at a time
when they are so lilly prepared to pay.
Another objection to the Convention j,
that upon the completion Of its work,
that body could, and in all probability
would, subject the people to the troubi,
and additional expense Of another genes
! raj State election for offices made vacant
| by its action, from Governor down This,
while it might please. politicians and po,
litical aspirants, would but lily suit tn,
great masses of the people, who having
but recently made choice of public ser
wants are now desirous OF political reposs
| The arguments in favor Of the Com
mission as substitute for the Convention
are briefly, that it would cost compara'
lively nothing; be much more expedi
tious and withal subserve every
purpose just as well. What gives value
and validity to Il constitution is not thu
hand by whom it is written, but the ratif
| cation of the people as the organic law OF
\ the land; and as for the competency oil
the proposed Commission, to frame {
constitution in accord with. the want,
and wishes of the people, there is no rea-
son to doubt that it would be in all re-
spects equal, If net indeed, from expo
rience in matters legislative, superior to !
convention elected for that specific pNr
pose. ~'~+ os- To- 9aa ile.
| All things considered, now let us ash
which of the two is preferable. Let ever,
intelligent Democrat think Of il and de,
eide for himself. And let the ,peopl,
speak out and say which they prefer
According 70 my observation, it is the
wish of all branches of the State Govern.
ment to conform its action perfectly to
the intelligent wishes of the people IA,
tho parties most interested, therefore, ii
behooves. the people, to consider thcs
ject well and to speak out and make their
wishes known, and that with the least
possible delay. Recognizing the ebligaL
ton involved by their election upon a
platform pledgipg Constitutional Con,
vention, members of the Legislature feel
constrained in their action; and unless
released from this obligation by expires
sions from their constituency, will
vote for the convention, though person,
ally prefering the Commission as a matter
of public policy. '.Expressions, ~ both
| bu 1ublic m neetinoa aud from livi a