The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1874-03-21
Governors Message.
In the house, the following message
rom the UnNpruOr WAS road: =

In the house, the following message
from the governor was read: =
EXECUTIVE OFFICE, |
AUSTIN, TEXAS, March, 1871.
To the Honorable Senate and House of Rep
resentatives:
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES it is understood
that YOUR honorable bodies have decided
not to call constitutional convention,
| deem it not improper to break the
silence | have purposely observed on
this subject pending its consideration.
Feeling that action on the question
should be taken by yourselves, as the
more direct representatives of the peo-
ple-uninfuenced by the views of the
eXecutive--in my first communication
TO your honorable bodies | RENTED to
YOU the question as to the mode in
which the constitution, admitted by all
to be extremely obnoxious, should he
hanged-whethe by amendment in
the manner prescribed by the constltu-
ton, or by convention called to frame
u new constitution, being content to
approve either of the two adopted by
YOU. Believing now, as L did then,
that an imperative necessity exists for
a thorough change in the constitution,
and that your honorable bodies have
acted wisely in deciding not to call a
constitutional convention at this time,
and more wisely still in voting down
the plan of making constitution by
commission, | recommend that lmlne-
diate steps be taken to prepare amend
ments, to be hereafter submitted to the
people, which shall cover every defect
in the present constitution. l suggest,
for the purpose, joint committee OF
the two houses, and recommend that
the amendments, when made, shall
present to the people, for their consid-
Grafton, an instrument of organic law
complete in all its parts, which, If
adopted, will be- an entirely within it
self, and be the constitution of Texas.
After the preparation of this amend
ment, recommend that provision be
made for the publicationof it, immedi-
ately after the adjournment of the leg
islature, in such manner that it will go
into the hands of the people generally,
throughout the State. Being thus in-
formed of the changes proposed to be
made in the constitution, the people
and press will discuss them, and from
this discussion the senators and repre-
sentatiyes will be able TO eliminate the
popular will, as to whether the constitu-
ton shall be amended, or cOnstitu-
tional convention called, or as to wheth-
er any modification or change in any
of the proposed amendments should be
made, and at the next session of the
legislature, in their action, give effect
4 In nd
it to exist. This will be, in effect, a re-
mitter of the whole question to the
people. The time which will elapse
before final action on the subject will
be well consumed in thorough discus
sion of principles which are to be the
ground work of our future government.
A constitution hastily gotten up would
soon have to be amended or superseded
by a new one. Nothing renders a gov
eminent more unstable, or educates Il
people for revolution more perfectly,
than u frequent handling, changing, re-
or Overturning of the organic
law. This is the original bond which
organizes society into state, and rarely
can be loosened without detriment to
some of its best interests. Apeople who
regard their organic law with rever-
ence. and who approach it to change
or amend, only after the maturest de-
liberation and discussion as to the al
which shall be made, have the
highest guaranty that human wisdom
can devise of stability for their institu-
tons. We know full well the many
features In our present
but can we assert with
equal confidence that We are agreed
as to the wisest substitutes for them?
Will not more thorough discussion
Of these matters, by the best minds of
he country, with proposed amend
nent as a basis, lead to the thorough
less and maturity of deliberation and
,ction SO desirable and so necessary to
he attainment of a wise result? Can
{ be said that time is lost which is
hus employed? Suppose half, or two
birds, of the amendments proposed
low are modified at the next session,
before they are submitted to the popu-
ar vote, as a result of the thought he
towed on them by the people, will not
hat attest the wisdom of having
ramed them at this session? If the
,ublic mind should be satisfied with
he amendments as proposed, anu no
hange should be desired, we could ask
othing better, and would feel assured
hat your work had been wisely done
(. however, the amendments should
e thrown aside, and the people de-
land a convention, still all the ben
Ats of the thought and discussion
on the subject would be {
saped in the action of the con-
ention. Constitution making is a
ork greatly different now from what
formerly was, in Texas. Our social,
nd our labor systems, and, in some
gree, our political system, have
langed fundamentally. We hardly I
t appreciate the extent and import t
the change ourselves. These changes 9
e going on and will continue. New {
,pulati0n, with new ideas, are filling e
e country; new industries are spring. Il