New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-12-24

The new Hampsnlfe C0netlt0UlOn.
The New Hampshire constitutional con-
vention yesterday voted to take recess
from to-day until the third Monday in
April. They have been in session just
eleven day 8, and their work has been har-
moniously and we'll performed. In fact.
the convention is q model Of good sense and
propriety, and it fully appreciates the de-
msnd for constitutional changes. The con-
stitution which it will present to the people
for adoption We are confident will be one
which will command general approval.
The most important work of the conven-
ton probably has been the effort to improve
the electoral system and the composition Of
the Legislature. New Hampshire holds an
anomalous position among the States in
these respects. It's elections are held sew
eral days after the beginning Of Congress
to which it chooses members, and hence it
has been unrepresented on some important
occasions. On presidential years it's early
State canvass has exposed 1t to cOrrupting
temptations. Several useless obstacles to
the franchise are maintained under the
form Of qualifications Of voters. Its legis-
latlve representation has been awkward and
inefficient. All these subjects the conven-
ton has discussed, and many Of the defects
it has proposed to cure. 1t proposes to have
biennial elections, instead of annual, ON
the first Tuesday in November, instead of
the second Tuesday of March. This change
is so reasonable that it seems hardly pos
sible to find an objection to it. The reli-
giOus test, az qualification for Office, it is
proposed to abolieh, and this will also sue
ceed, probably. although there is strong
prejudice in the rural districts against
q change. The most difficult job was max
ing satisfactory change in the composition
of the Legislature. With Senate of only
twelve m NIB re- and House of nearly 400,
tho legislative system OF New Hampshire
has b. On unwieldy and Unbalanced. Tue
convention propose to have the Senate
composed Of twenty -four members, and tn at
every town or ward having 600 inhabitants
shall have q representative in the lower
House and an additional representative for
every 1900 Inhabitants above that. This will
make it necessary 10 classify together q
Iarge number of small towns, while several
of the larger places will lose two or more
repre- sentatives. With these changes the
House will sti Il have about 300 memb ers. 1t
is q pity that the convention could not have
reduced the number still further, but pos
s,bly the dang ger OF defeat at the polls for q
more radical change made little conser-
varism ut cessary.
We have not space today to discuss the
many proposed changes to be submits ed to
the people, but ono other ia worthy Of
special notice. 1t is that which proposes as
an addition to article eighty-1htse a pro-
vision that mo money shall ever be granted
or applied for the use OF schools or institu
tiops Of any religions sect or denomination"
Every proposition was adopted by large
msjority after the freess discussion, seem
ing t. indicate til vt the convention has in
view scch changes and improvements only
IS toe voters demand or will accept When
the convention reassembles in April, posi-.
bly, it may make other changes or carry
further the reforms it has begun, bnt it's
work 81 far is good as it stands ,-Boston
TrGreNcr.