The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1874-03-07
WHAT NEXT.

majority of the people-then there re-
mains but one other mode OF riduihs
! the State of the many obnoxious pro-
visions of the present constitution,
and that is by amendments to be pro-
posed by this Legislature, voted on by
the people in the election of 1873 anu
ratified by new Legislature to assem-
BILE in January, 1876. The constitution
itself provides only this mode OF
amendment. Still, it is constitution
al mode of amendment, and as to reg
ularity cannot be assailed. The objec-
ton is o-fold-tirst, that the consti-
tuition is too Objectionable to be cor
rected by amendment; aud, secondly,
that it requires full two years to effect
amendments, and then only can II
Legislature commence the enactment
of reformatory laws under them.
Therefore at least three years must
elapse before the country can practi-
cally feel the benefits.
But if this mode shall be adopted by
our present Legislature, then we trust
they will prepare series of amend
ments so general and sweeping as to
almost make new constitution. The
public opinion of the State most earn
estly demands that all probate business
shall be taken from District courts and
restored to where it safely rested for
thirty years, until snatched away to
make an excuse for increasing the
number of Radical judges. Under our
old system any Intelligent farmer,
merchant or mechanic could admins
ter OH his deceased father or trother's
estate, without employing u lawyer.
Under the present system it is other
wise. A county chief justice for pro-
bate business, and with four commits
sioners added for county matters,
worked well well for thirty years. Let
us go back to the simple, honest and
cheap modes of administration where
ever possible.
The amendments lately adopted are
all satisfactory. They relate to the
Supreme court, create the office of
county assessor and collector of t axes,
and restrict the power of the Legisla-
ture in regard to special legislation in
granting charters, ETC., providing that
these objects shall he obtained by gen.
eral laws. These are wise reforms.
The constitution should clothe the
people, through the Legislature, with
power to increase OF decrease the
number of district judges, as expert
ance may show to be necessary, and
when district is abolished the judge
thereof should have no claim for his
salary afterwards.
The clauses in relation to suffrage
should be consolidated into one plain
section. so that the humblest man in
the State will know whether or not he
is entitled to vote, and if so, he must
be protected in the exercise of his
right as \ freeman.
Provision should be made for sending
to the penitentiary every public officer
who shall be convicted of corruption,
or who dishonesty conducts elections.
The clause In regard to public roads
should be changed so that every man,
white or black, shall contribute his fair
proportion towards opening and work
ing on roads designated for public con-
venience.
The power of the Legislature to
create n public debt against the State
should be limited to say one million OF
dollars.
The whole public free school system
should be remodled and placed on
! basis to suit our condition as young
and growing State. To reach the ne
gro population and require them to
contribute even a small mite towards
educating their own children, a poll
tax should be provided for, and nc
man, white or black, who refuses tc
pay it, should be allowed to vote.
Registration of voters should be
abolished as a rule, and only made
necessary in towns of over twenty
thousand inhabitants and in border
counties on Mexico. 1t may also bt
retained as protection against frauc
i'm counties where the unlettered negro
10 x-arx, larun
The election laws and everything re
lating to suffrage should be RENDERED
as simple as possible, consistent will
the purity of elections.
The amendments should embrace al
the provisions yet shown to be neces
: sary to hold in healthy check tn
/, power of monopolies and Incorporates
J companies, so that, while encouraging
l railway and other improvements, tn
: people shall never become tributary t
/. them as masters.
= These are but a few of the points +
be provided for. If the Legislator
still refuses to call convention W
: trust they will mature wise and jud
I cious series of amendments, so as
Il give a reasonable guaranty that aft'
: a while Texas will have wise and ju'
D fundamental law. If they refuse
u call convention and then fail in SUI
/ mitting such amendment to thepeopl
s. we claim that in overthrowing Rad
Is calism they have gained but half
victory.
THE improvements lately made {