New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-07
ASSEMBLING OF ALABAMNS CONSTITU-
TIONAL CONVENTION.

GEN. WALKERS SPEECH on TAkING TIE CHAIR
HE URGES A GENEROUS RiCOGNIIoN OF EQUAL
RIGHTS, LIMITATION OF HE POWER on SAFE
AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. ASD TIE UPHOLD
ING OF THE HONOR or TIE STATE.
MONTGOMERY, Ala, Sept. G.-The Alabama
Constitutional Convention met here today Gen L. i.
Waller was chosen President by acclamation, Rcpub-
Leans and Democrats alike voting for him. The father
of Gen Walker was President OF the Convention when
adopted Constitution in 1910. under which Alabama
WAS admitted into the Union On taxing the chair today
Ger. Walker said:
GrsTLrMnS OF THE CONVENTION beg yon to ncGeIt
my sincere thanks. The Constitution Trained o.,
our fathers in 40 made for new State and under
pe9P ne %"r caS ann and hc ee built with
amid the prneval forests of the Mssls5ppi
dg'I n Wa, snir,t OF arm raSs icono~s What
t.. called the WeseAt Constitution OF tne Su,, ns
posed OF srcs and patches gathered here and there,
inconnuous in design, nhlmonious in action.
il inposcs the reckless licenses it coners for unjust aud
wicked legislation. and utterly acng III every element
affection of the people We have met to-day, not indeed
to reclaim the scattered fragments AID rebuild te oih
worthy AMI ust to succeed. Tie tgi,st statesman
snip IL that whit SO geeraI,s prrpi'S a a. TO- -
civilization Let endcayor To gave 10 our proceedings
TINS ciaeieins',c vi st MT .nIi.icued
and noparti7sn alike s 10 az casscs protec1vo o'
Te events OF the last decade have eliminated from our
institutions the only clement of sectional controversy:
Let lis recognize this fact with bread sign cnce, aud
ncorporatc the Constitution tie national siit anu
the national Jaw OF the perfect political al civil eguy
OF ali men whatever race color previous milton
Republican institutions rest upon lie common intcih
gence Of the people Therefore one OF lie hsh Jn,ies
Of a republican government Is tie education OF the
masses for be progress without edueatio'i
as tlcr. is no civilization without intelligence. go,
Limit the legislative OF taxation to shield
from suspicion and credit of the state TAG
spirit OF The ag ccbtios and extriyasgnt me old
economies have become disr pnabe. Individual carac
teriscs have been made The habit OF government, ana
government has alsmcued INTO mere Instrument III!
or the advancement OF personal ambitions and thc pro
motion OF personal aims. in way that would hsve
ceived and illustrated in incr lives the great problem OF
free government on tlis continent
A. We may in due d'"i nee 10 CIRCUMSTANCES,
let limit the dulles OF government t" the ends oi gov
ernmcni, which nay he summed up IN re genG,ral,
properly. The simplest form Of government Is tc Dsst
the complications ~ multiform machinery however
suitable the development OF the special science only
aggryae the burdens which more or less attend every
fo moi civil administration Abstinence Is car
dinai virtue, and should he potent la tue law OF states
in tae eonduc; OF miyidIal' Govern a. httr ~ os
sne, aud only by general laws, is TIE RUE OF wisdom
SANCTIONED by experience.
Determinations, whether protective or preventive,
always yidious, aud Therefore always UNJUST lie
growth Of ,OrpUrannS Is one ot mo iarN d the a-e
in which We live Their power he mar 81 hils sents'
has increased Is Increasing ana oiSn TO o h'llls.ieu
Great AZ they are, thcy are Sllhpy me frpi, s'h,
tatves Of individual interests and are never organized
cXcc,d 10 promote personal ends.
Thc dignity oI Government is all compromise wn,n
its credit Is surrendered and ITS honor committed 10
other custodiins thili ils own agents ana
Constitutional prohibition snouid protrct inc Sla,e
tits llincplc. special mutations sonh be placed III on
counties towns AMI OLer civil municipalities ami tty
sloud be strained from lending ieT c.edl 10 ven
tur. of private speculation however plausible III theory
and possibly profitable ia results. Local Iegslatioh
though sometimes oemIngy eAiscnt should absolutely
he forbidden Its cuaclcts in-idiOus its exercises
s,ecous and It's ends often Legitimate and sometimes
demOrnizing ana corrupt =, .....o,
Tho liberties OF tie people can only be preserved
through an iDcoI1up,ib.c Judiciary. Ii The inlc1ei
ton OF the las the courts even more tban The a'
ITSELF that gives to legislation It's character Tor wisdom
folly. Indepund III IT. action except 10 Jusi puc
crit snoll be secured 10 the judges VINO administer
the Law s. by extended terms Of offices ana ths remove
them IA Ear s possible sudden explosions Oh pop-
lar canOr on tne hand aud the temptation u seek
popular favor by unworthy mcIns upon the othcf'
gentlemen Of the CUny ntlOn: IL IA nrlthef NY lno'-
ince nor my purpose to do more than suggest sOic eeh'
elal principles your consideration liNInS tneir Nhuo
10 be determined by your higher ana beuer Judgment.
Win sauDriOus climate, generous ana productive
soil miueral wealth IN bOundle-s rfOinsio ana Whtc
ower OF vast state lacks nothing to make
II great except good government, honest au econ
oncal lust lair, and frugal III iic bestows Vi power
rigid IN the exacton Of duty und temperate cohscrlr
five and national in ali OF It's provisions This great uht
IA conided 10 US That deliberations 10 hir emu may
he harmonious, labor successful ana tbc hn CON
Illumination all that people could wish Is ,ne hoIo
with which accept the OneOus and responsible position
You have Assigned 10 me
STATEN ISLAND DELEGATES TO STATE CON
MENTIONS