The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-02-12
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION,


That excellent paper, the Jefferson Demo
erat, is straight-out for constitutional con-
vention.
Speaking of the almost universal tone of
the Democratic press, says the Waco Exam
liner:
Still they come, demanding constitu-
tional convention; here is the Corsicana Oh
SerUer, who is astonished that any Demo-
crat should doubt for moment the propri-
city of carrying out the contract made with
the people last fall in Democratic council.
Calm yourself, brother; no true, sound
Democrat opposes it. The ranks of its OPP
ponents are filed with men whose party
fealty is as doubtful as would be the honesty
of the party in mass, should it refuse to
carry out the platform. 1t would seem that
platforms were constructed merely to elect
men upon, and then to be torn and destroyed
afterward. This is a wretched position,
indeed, to take. The people fulfilled to the
letter their obligations in the contract. Now
they demand the fulfllment of the other
conditions; this much they will have, moth
ing less will they be satisfied with. The
Democratic masses of this State are not to
be triied with in a way that is indicated by
those who now would refuse to carry out the
constitutional convention provision of the
Democratic platform, at the simple bidding
of the Galveston Neacs or any other man.
A correspondent of the Dallas Herald
remarks:
Thepeople are astonished at the hardness
of the Fourteenth Legislature in approach
ing this question, as well as the double shut
fling of Governor Coke in his message,
wherein he recommends constitutional
amendments or convention. This is not
what was promised, Governor, by the con-
vention that nominated you-a square flat
footed convention was promised, and the
people demand it of you-they demand it
of the Fourteenth Legislature. No amend
ments, if you please; 1T is not so specified
in the bond.n Convention, convention,
convention was promised This we demand
speedily, that we may, by the grace OF God
the consent of the Federal government hav-
ing already been given make such constr
tuition, republican in form and subordinate
to the supreme law of the land, as we de-
sire. Refuse or postpone it, gentlemen, and
ere long your political requiem will be sung
by an outraged people.
We think this writer entirely mistakes
Governor Cole's opinion on this question.
That able paper, the Trinity Adroeate,
thus discusses the question:
We have watched with deep interest the
discussion in our Legislature, upon the
economy and propriety Of calling a conven-
ton to amend the State Constitution. Now
let us look at the matter from the beginning.
In the canvass of 1878 the most prominent
subject brought before the people was the
early calling of a Constitutional Conven-
ton, and every candidate for State office,
from the highest to the lowest, urged his
election upon the solemn promise of such
convention, to be called early in the present
year. The people were animated and
cheered by this promise, and in proof of
their high appreciation of Democracy and
Der honored candidates, they rolled up
their votes in majority over so, 900, asking
fulflment of that promise Is this q con-
tract between our representatives and the
people, or is it the idle balderdash of sharp
candidates, made use of in the canvass in
order to inveigle the hard-handed and I'M
suspecting yeomanry into the support of
men who, after election, ignore RESPONSE
biity to che ignorant CD power that has
| preferred and honored them
We must confess that our Legislature has
good cause to boast of superior talent, but
we yet have among US at home, pre-elected
in the minds of the people, selected and set
apart for the purpose of drafting Consti-
tuition for them, Constitution worthy the
Democratic party and the noble sons who
compose it, worth the great State of Texas.
II our Representatives had, while candidates
before the people suggested the economy
now discussed by them, the whole affair
might have been composed of other and
very different men.
It shall not be construed that we speak
disparagingly of our present Senators and
Representatives. They were chosen for
the purpose of instituting and sustaining
a new regime, and making ready by appro-
pirate legislation, for the consummation OF
q purpose long entertained and anxiOusly
waited for by the people, a Constitutional
eeptable to the whole people of Texas.
Our Representatives have bravely and nobly
discharged their first duty-they unswerv-
ingly and unhinchingly assumed the control
of State affairs; for this We honor and es
TEEN them. After some, much needed and
indispensable legislation, we hope they will
as CALAMITY discharge the all-important
duty of calling q constitutional convention
to convene as early as possible.
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