Weekly Trinity journal., 1875-06-19
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.


altered, amended or repealed. One
method is to submit the proposed altera-
tions to two successive Legislatures when,
if accepted by them, they are sent to the
people for ratification at the General
Election following. The second way is
through the medium Of II Constitutional
Convention, to be called by majority
vote of the people. The first named meth
cd has been tried with some effect in past
years and the Constitution has, through
this means, been altered in several i'm
portaat particulars. 1t is in this manner
that the change in the mode of electng
judicial officers was effected, and although
we have been trying to get back to the
old way for mum Der of years, the reverse
of the old adage holds in this instance,
and we find it harder to undo thing than
to do it. With the growth of the State
and the rapid and unexampled develop
ment of great interests which could scarce
have been dreamed of when the original
instrument was framed, there has been,
for some years, general expression
among those who are versed in the science
OF government that in the fundamental
law OF the State many radical changes
are required to make it conform with the
changed circumstance of the time. Con-
sttutional changes have occupied the
attention Of the Legislature 10 some ex-
tent for several sessions past, and the
attempt is being made to incorporate
many proposed amendments to that in
strunent through the medium of egi>Iat-
dive action. With this view large mass
of amendments were proposed at the last
session of the Legislature, and will he
presented to it for adoption, at its session
next Winter. The proposed alterations
are very sweeping and amount almost to
new constitution, but it is very doubtful
if they will stand the test 10 which they
will be subjected and placed before the
people for final action next year. Since
the publication of them rs required by
law, they have received "A share of discus
sion and public sentiment, so far as can
be judged by the comments Of the press,
indicates that while in some cases it would
be for the better for change to be made,
in others it woulc not, while in other re-
sperts there is total silence where i'm
portant changes should be made.
The Legislature at its last session, took
the first steps toward a Constitutional
Convention by recommending the voters
of the State at the next election when
members OF the Legislature are to be
chosen to vote for or against convention.
To guard the State against the possbili-
ties of its being put to the expense Of "a
Convention through the neglect Of citi-
zcns to vote upon the proposition, the law
further declares that majority of all the
votes cast Tor members of Assembly being
cast for IA Convention, Convention will
be deemed carried. 1t will be thus seen
that neglect to vote is equivalent to vot
ing against II Convention. While admit.
ting the necessity OF Il thorough revision
of the fundamental law of the State, there
ARE yet many who will hesitate ut putting
the State to the cost of Convention that
might frame IA constitution which, after
all, would not be accepted 10y the people.
The cost to the State for the assent bling
OF such body is by some authorities ixed
at one million dollars. We do not con
cur in this estimate, which is evidently
made by those who prefer continuing on
under the Constitution as it now is, or
taking the chances Of having it t:nkered
to suit their notions by legislative action.
1t is question if-even allowing their
exaggerated estimate to be near the MAJ k
it would not be the part of economy to
hold the Convention. The biennial judi
cal elections at each recurrence cost the
counties hundreds of thousands of dollars
and we would insure the repeal of that
clause Of the constitution, which has
/ proved a complete failure, SO iur as the
! good it was designed to accomplish is
/ concerned. When We add these to the
I
or be deprived Of the privilege Of IA choice
in the selection OF judicial officers, it will
be seen that the cost, directly, and indi-
rectly, is very great.
We have not space in an article of this
character to urge all arrangements which
can be used, favorable to call for
Convention. The necessity for general
revision being apparent and acknowledge
ed by all who have made themselves IA
miiar with that instrument as at present
constituted, it only follows to determine
which of the methods before us can ac-
complsh the object most effectively and
at the least expense. Our view is that
with the election OF delegates chosen for
the express purpose Of determining what
changes are needful, the chances of OBJ
tanning IN instrument that will be salts
factory for many years, will be much
better than if the matter is left to the
Senate and Assembly, which can have
but little time to give to its consideration
and at the same time attend to their other
duties.
The New Hampshire Legislature has
elected Cheney, the Republican candidate,
Governor. The laws of that State will
bear little revision. Voters should not
lose their ballots bv reason of any little
informalty and the law of this State,
which declares that every ticket shall be
counted where the judges can decide the
intention of the voter, would seem to be
applicable to the Granite State.
THE Common Council of Springfield.