The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-04-01
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS.

1t is to be taken for granted that a con-
stitutional convention will be the result of
the election on the first Monday in August.
The present State Constitution is almost
universally condemned, and it is a recog-
nized fact that neither retrenchment nor re-
form can be thoroughly instituted until
there is a radical change in the organic law.
The last constitutional convention was held
at time when the State was completely
delivered over into the hands of mercena-
ries, and out of it came creation which
only entangled all subsequent legislation in
labyrinth Of extravagance. It is and
always has been, as we believe, the pur-
pose of the present administration to con-
duct the government upon the most eco
nomical plans, but there are a thousand
stumbling blocks in the way, and they all
originate in requirements of the present
fundamental law. A system of extrava-
gance has been established, and at present
has to be maintained in spite Of any dispo-
sition to the contrary. There are any
amount of men, however, always to be
found who become, nc, matter what their
political persuasion, advocates Of multitu-
dinous official creations. There are lead
ing men in the Democratic party,
from any and all parts Of the State, who
claim that the district judges have not been
increased to an unnecessary number, and
yet we have seen two Radical judges, Cham
bers and Cooper, cut down each to holding
courts in one county. The other counties
lately belonging to their districts have been
attached to others, and still no complaint
comes that any of the Judges Of the en-
larged districts are unable to attend to the
duties imposed upon them. Twenty-Five
district judges can do the work now done
by thirty-five. This reductionalone would,
in the salaries of the judges and district
attorneys, reduce the expenses of the State
$47, 600. The jury system, too, can be
amended so as to save the people untold
sums of money. Not in the judiciary sys-
TEN alone could a most healthy retrench-
ment be instituted, but in all the other
branches of government lin the department
tai service, in the legislative, in the reve-
nIe service, in the present unwieldy, inOpe-
rative and expensive public school sys-
TEN, and all the minor departments, where
State money is consumed, there can be
caused such a areduction in expenditures as
VIII speedily reduce taxation and put the
government into a condition co pay as il
goes. It is believed that 81 the people
will start to work in earnest on this line,
and elect delegates to the convention who
can be trusted to secure the needed reforms,
Texas viii be speedily redeemed from raw
ages consequent upon its present political
system. And It is to be hoped that the work
towards the cousummation Of this great du-
Il viii commence at once with ivigor. The
people, for time at least, must Viakeu out
Of that lethargy which has become the har.
biDger Of a thousand political and social
evils. They owe present activity to them
selves and to those who come amer them,
and unless they are true 70 this obligation,
increasing danger viii be the inevitable re.
suit With an earnest canvass and de-
termination to send . patriotic delegation
10 the constitutional convention. the people
may confidently lcok forward to such refor.
nation in the Affairs q governments Is Eill
son hft Texas ont of the fnincial din.
culties into which the prime laW Of tie
State is constantly forcing Il.