The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1875-09-28
pen PECI URE or TIE CONST.TU.
TIONAL CONVENTION.


II. j. HerSey, Esq, editor of the
Shreveport Times, who is now at Aus.
Tin, in letter to his paper, draws the
following pen picture of the Conven-
ton. He gives the best argument In
favor of employing stenographer that
we have yet seen.
The Texas Constitutional C0nven-
ton, now in session here, as Il whole is
body difficult to describe Among its
members are some of theablest men In
Texas--men who IN any country would
be conspicuous for their Patriotism
and intellect. There are also in the
Convention number OF gentlemen
less brilliant, hut of SOUND practical
sense. Upon the other hand, there are
members Of the body whom one won
ders to zee IN an assemblage called to-
gether 81 I'm enlightened people for
the vary important purpose of franz
ing the orgaArsriaw OF II greaVand rap
idly growing State; men of good
intentions, but who have absO-
lutely no comprehension of the
work entrusted to their wisdom. They
have taken up the cry of "retrench-
ment and REFORM" and like parrots
they scream ii into the ears Of the
Convention, in and out of season. Ii
n motion is made to allow the MEN,
bers postage stamps, this class in the
interest of 'retrenchmenta and reform"
are ready to waste three hundred dol
lars worth of Convention time in de-
batting a resolution to reduce the mum
Der allowed each member two or three
stamps. Finally we have the Radical
element, numbering fifteen, white and
black, under the leadership of Col.
We3h. Flanagan, all adroit politi-
clan, and the people here say the best
man in his party in Texas, This ele-
ment makes very fair professions, but
| doubt if they would like to see such
a constitution adopted as the people
want. When the "retrenchmenters'
propose to do anything ridiculous, very
likely the RAIDS will side with them to
do what lies in their power to make
conspicuous what of Democratic DEM
agoguery and ignorance is in the Con
vehtion. Their most earnest work
will probably be in opposition to the
provisions to control railroads and to
TeOrganize the free school system.
a few days ago resolution was In
trOduced in the Convention providing
for the employment of stenographic
reporter and the publication of the de-
bates of the Convention on the pro-
posed constitution. The resolution was
voted down. Subsequently some OF
the aulest members OF the Convention
renewed the motion, discussing its lm-
portance to the public, and carried IL.
But the following day, the retrench-
mentors and retOrmers moved Tor re-
consideration, and after prolonged
debate defeated the proposition. The
importance OF the publication OF Tie
DEBATES of Il constitutional convention,
of which such men rs Judge Reagan,
Mr.. FlUurn0y, Ex-Governor Stockdale, |
Judge Balinger, Judge West, Col.
John Henry Brown ana 0taer
able men, whose names just now
4 do not wish To recall, are |
mem bers, must be obvious to every IN
teligent man. However much wis-
dom the Convention may display in
their work, however clear and compre-
hensive the proposed Constitution
may he, still, it is absol 'tely certain
that, at some time in the future, the
true meaning of some of its provisions
will be questioned and will have to be
determined 10y the courts. In such |
cases the debates would be Of great
value as explaining the real purpose
of the Convention and tie true inter
nratut i'm nf tho fonst ituti ion. The
debates of Constitutional Conventions
have frequently been consulted ny the
courts as guides to the correct interpre-
tation of constitutional provisions, and
they may, in fact, be properly regarded
rs part Of the organic law-whlch is
their Outgr0wth.