Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-02-19

ChAChING fAE W nh.
The Eastern Argus took an early oppor.
tunty to crack its whip over the mem
bers of the legislature in order to drive
them to an instant adoption Of the amend
ments 10 the constitution proposed by the
constitutional commission. The legisla
ture, however, didn't "scare worth cent
The resolves have been taken up in order
thus far, and each one has been considered
and passed upon by itself, and either
adopted or rejected as in the judgemen
of the legislature seemed best, and il
such manner as the constitution pre-
scribes. This want of attention to the
whip of the Argus is not very well relished
by that paper. and so the crack is repeat
ed with an added whine about orders hav-
ing been given by somebody or some
thing to "smash the constitutional amend
ments.'
We know OF no attempt to unduly infiu'
encc or coerce the legislature except what
has appeared in the Argus and Maine
Standard. The legislature we believe is
amply competent to deal with the pro-
posed amendments without instructions
from any source. That body has taken
its own course and is to be commended
for the independence with which it has
acted. Upon it is placed the responsible
ity of deciding what If any amendments
shall be submitted to the people. 1t can
not transfer that responsibility to Il con-
stitutional commission however respccta-
BILE that commission may be, nor TO the
Argus and Standard willing as they may
be to assume it. The duty is absolutely
its own, made SO by the constitution, the
language of which plainly signifies that
changes are not to be made without due
care and deliberation. The legislature
may propose amendments to this con-
stitution" is the language Of that instru-
ment. There is no compulslon in the cases
no provision that they shall submit amend
ments at the crack of anybody's whip.
And still farther to make certain that
proper caution is exercised in changing
the constitution, no amendment can be
submitted unless 1.-TWO thirds of both
houses shall deem it necessary"
The Argus and Standard entirely lose
sight of the letter and spirit Of the consti-
tuition in their dictatorial attitude towards
the legislature They seem TO think that
the legislature is bound to submit what
ever the constitutional commission placed
before it. and that thus it can get rid of
the grave responsibility which the eonsti-
ton fixes upon it. Fortunately the legis-
lature understands its duties and obliga-
lions better than those who crack their
whip around the ears of the members.
The letter and spirit of the existing con-
stitution are observed, and this is fair evil
dence that the work when completed
will be entitled to the respect Of the State.
If anything in the democratic party could
surprise US it would be that a party which
has in times past been so greatly opposed
to changes in our organic laws could en-
dorse the course of the Argus in pressing
the legislature to rash action upon these
amendments, in violation of the obliga-
tons laid upon it by the constitution. We
very much doubt whether many democrat
ic members of the legislature are entire
~ satisfied with the whip of their party
organs.