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

Says that able paper, the Jefferson Demo
Graf:
The Fourteenth Legislature Is The first that
has assembled In Texas, since the memorable
beginning of reconstruction, in which the PEG
pie have had full voice We should not
then be quick 20 judge harshly Of them, when
IN full faith and confidence we recognize them
as the representative men Of the State nor
have we had cause to complain; yet there are
Developments about TO be made, which. 10 say
the least Of II, would destroy the peace and
harmony Of The party 10 a certain extent, and
force the conclusion upon many thar the SOW
ereign viii is subordinate to the Judgment Of
the legislative body composed Of only part
Of the people.
Il is the duty and privilege of Legislatures
70 enact just laws, and 10 repeal those that are
obnoxious. Il is the inherent right of the
people to frame constitutions and to amend or
repeal them. Unless representative men
are delegated 20 perform such duties. they
transcend the principles of republican govern
ment in attempting them, hence We fail to
recognize any attempt on the part OF the Leg
islature to prescribe TO the people a Constitu-
ton, when it has already been made known
that the people wish and demand 10 frame the
new Constitution in their own sovereign ca
pacity.
II Is useless for US 10 quote the action If tae
Fourteenth Legislature on this question. Suf
fee L that q majority of the committee have
reported against constitutional convention,
recommending that committee of fifteen be
appointed by the Senate, the House and the
Governor, 70 prescribe document for the
people 10 ratify; while the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
ing that il has been and is still the sole right
and desire of the people to frame their own
constitNtion-have reported in favor of a con-
vention. The entire press of the State, with
the exception of such papers as have made
themselves notorious in the past, for inconsist.
ency and stubborn digTeSsions from principle,
has spoken again, rejecting the public Opin-
ion in declaring for and urging a constitu-
tional convention. The specious arguments OF
the few to the contrary have not been of suf-
ficient weight to merit discussion 1t is well
known that careful estimate of the expense
incident to the one scheme would be equal, or
nearly so, in the other. We fail to see the
urgent necessity of committee; on the other
hand we regard the necessity for a convention
decidedly absolute. Better let it cost twice
the amount, that it will probably cost, than re-
sort to an impracticable, unsatisfactory and
Intellectual plan.
The wisdom Of fifteen men, such as would
doubtless be selected, would certainly show
itself in Constitution that would only have
to be submitted to the people to receive their
approval three men in the Fourteenth Legis-
lature might do the same, for there was never
an ADLER body assembled in the State, and
there are statesmen there of whom Texas
does feel proud. Butwe have never advanced
to that era under Republican rule that a few
of our statesmen-two, three, or a Dozen
could be allowed a privilege that belongs only
to the people. We think that vast majority
of the people are in favor of a convention
We need Constitution such as viii be har-
binger of peace, safety and prosperity to the
State in its glorious growing future.
A convention OF delegates fresh from the
people, with the single interest of the united
commonwealth at heart, instructed advised of
all our wants and fears, knowing our needs,
and pledged to faithful duty, is what we want
"a convention, the members of which, in
their wisdom. viii have an eye to the whole of
our government, whose functions will entltle
them to q careful examination of the founda-
ton upon which the executive, legislative and
judicial departments rest, providing, oTdain-
ing and eliminating as is commensurate with
the genius of an enlightened system. Such
Constitution as we need viii thus be framed;
it will be worth millions of dollars, and yet
those who oppose convention only look to
its cost
Among other things equally well and forci-
bly, expressed, the Corsicana Observer says:
For a legislature to make constitution, is
so far contrary to all usage that it will startle
the people at the assumption of power. 1t
will, to great degree, destroy the confidence
of, the people in the Fourteenth Legislature,
and win operate greatly in the formation of
an opposing element to the adoption of the
proposed Constitution, and after all, it may
be the means of defeating the desired change
in the organic law of the State The plan
suggested by majority of the committee is
anti-republican and anti-Democratic 1t is
an assumption of power, and tends to central
ization. Besides this, it is in bad faith TO the
people who elected their representatives, in
most instances with the express understanding
that convention would be called. During
the canvass not one word was said about the
formation of a new Constitution by the Leg
and if a candidate should have advo-
the people would not have returned him.