The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-02-26
IcoNMUSIcATED.l
Convention.

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so, In the other.
LcoNMUMoATED.l
Convention.
The question of calling a convention TO
frame new Constitution seems to be one
occupying the attention of the Legislature
and public press at the present time to the
exclusion of nearly everything else, and as
\ you have given the arguments in favor of
the calling ul such convention in the STATES
MAX fully, and bell, wing that your columns
are open To those whose judgment, from a
calm, dispassionate ANIL thorough examine
ton of this question in all It's bearings
leads them to different conclusion, pro-
pose, as briefly US I may, to give some of
the reasons that brings me to the conclu-
sion that the calling of convention to
| frame new organic law for our State at
this time, and under the circumstances that
now surround us, would not only be rmpoli-
tic, but dangerous to the best interests of
the whole people Of the State.
First, then, 1t win be admitted by all
that the calling of convention to frame
a new constitution even among old and
long established States is, in one sense,
revolutionary, and it will be as universally
admitted revolutions in any sense among the
people of a State are to be regarded as
disturbing elements in the society and
well-being of the people. If then conven-
tions to change the fundamental law of a
/ people who have lived long and prospered
under an existing government, however de-
fective their constitution may have been,
| (and all constitutions have their defects
regard such changes as revolutionary, in
what light must the calm rejecting masses
! of the people of Texas regard revolution
of that kind among them at this timer
They have had to endure six changes in
their government in seven years, have had to
support two constitutional conventions in
that time, and have gene through the ex-
pensc of seven general elections, IN which the
bitterest passions and strongest prejudiees
were aroused and kept alive and active with
the surety, Of a convention is called) of hay
ing two more general elections before them
within this year. With these facts before
us, is it strange or singular that the
thoughtful, calm citizen should say to his
representative stop, think, deliberate before
acting; this is no question to be decided by
passion. am wearicd and tired of changes
aud Excitement, want time and quietness
to examine how far VIC have gone in eff
fecting the changes we have already made
and to sec their practical operation on the
true interest of our State; whether it is ne
cessary or proper to make another funda-
mental change, or to use the proper moral,
90 through another revolution, by which
you will give lite and occupation to the pro-
fessional politician in our own ranks, and
vitalise an element among us respectable in
numbers, il nothing else, which needs but
t0b be let alone, and given no chance through
an election, to revive itself, to pass from
among us as a disturbing element
sit strange that the calm rejecting citi-
zen should urge upon his representative as a
reason for time and deliberation on this Vi
tai matter, the difference in the condition of
the masses Of the people Of the State now,
and when the convention met last Septem-
Der. At that time the Governor and all the
State offices were held by persons lnimieal
to their best interest. A Supreme Court
was but the plant tools Of an unscruplous
political party, with a large number Of the
district judges in the same category, and
no proper control by the people of the col
Letting officers of the State TO whom their
taxes were paid, and by whom their tax
money was squandered. This was in brief
part of our Surroundings when the conven-
vention met in September last, and bya res
olution in their platform, adopted without
debate, said swe favor the calling of
constitutional convention" But what is
our condition nowl A Governor and all
State offices in the possession OF men Sc
lected from and elected by the people,;
Legislature, nine-tepths az both houses OF
which are chosen by and in the same way
the old so-caNed Supreme Court displaced,
and in lieu thereof Supreme bench
worthy in Oh respects to sit IS sue
cessors OF Lipscomb, Wheeler and Hemp
hill, and under whose Jurisdiction every
citizen, from the most exalted 10 tho hum
blest feels IN ample security for life, per
son and property with men on the dis
trict bench who arc venal and Incompetent
being got rid Of in a pcaceable and legal
way, by Legislature that not only knows
is duty, but are doing and intend 10 DO il.
These judges are to be replaced by good and
true men, with the proper course being taken
to secure, as far as can be. from the tax
collectors, the peoples money, and its APP
plication to legitimate purposes. In short, /
with q State government, all Of whose Off
Gers are from among and in harmony with
the masses Of the people, can we not live
and prosper two years more, nntil We can
correct the other defects IN the Constitu- 1
non. IN the same manner that the changes
BY which We got rid q the late supreme
bench. Is there single member & thu 1
convention 81 September last who VII nov
say that II that convention was IN session,
with these changes before Il, that the con-
vention plank in our platform would now be I
adopted ! do not believe one could be
found, snd for these reasons that resola-
ten should have no weight with the Leg.
isl1ture IN deciding this Important
matter, and the plea that the leg
islalcrs had g call convention in
ooedlcnce 70 the mandates Of q plank IN
The platform adopted six months AGO. under
dl1oreat circumstances viii not - held IS
suIhcIont b. the masses 81 the people. The
convention advised from its then stand l,oinf
and Surroundings. and the people since
lhat time. elected their Represented es viii
laH peWcr 60 act Tor them In whatever
change might lsc developed, and the lenis-
lslors must meet the responsibility Of their
stand point and surroundings. would
Ike q cxaminc how much ol our Couiln.
tea, e Is BOW stands ancnded. nQnir
anealnrnt, hrl have nos time, nor slsl j
ssk the space Is gonr gsl1st'c leI hnI
NiA hl1 The ep'niQn that t|llet lonIh
q tie nlo Con CIion NOW
1rhfto and WIil be- ct 1lo eer fnl
ai tftaIion