The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1877-12-05
The nsrol,saesl { onndiamaEonal Con'
vemGiom

The question Of calling Convention 10 /
frame 4 new Constitution is receiving /
the attention of the press and public men.
The agitation might have been expected /
from the revelation that has occurred in
the political condition of the State; but,
with due reference to others, we do not
think that the necessity exists to justify /
the large outlay of money and consump- /
ton Of time and agitation of the public |
mind that will inevitably attend the cali |
ing of a Constitutional Convention. |
That some changes are needed no one
will deny; but upon comparison of
opinions it will be found that the advo-
Gates of new Constitution will differ
widely as to the alterations that should bse
made.
The amendments absolutely I6eeded to
the present Constitution, e6 which there
will be a general concSdrrence, are few
and simple, and theDee is no reason to be-
lieve they cannotrbe made in the method
prescribed b9y the Constitution. Within
the past Tew years four amendwaeGn.ttss s nave
been /made in this form with no expense
comparatively. At the late election an
: Important one was inserted by which BIZ
ennial sessions of the Legislature are
substituted for annual sessions, and a
saving effected to the taxpayers amount.
ing to from $75, 900 to $l25, 900 per an
mum. Why may not other essential meas
ures be accomplished by the same easy
and economical method?
1t is universally conceded that the
Constitution should be amended so IS to
hold the State and county elections at
the same time Congressional elections are
held. This can be done by submitting a
change to the Constitution shortening
or prolonging the terms as may be
deemed most expedient, of the recently
elected State officers one year. 1t is con-
coded that a more speedy method of
bringing to trial persons accused of crime
so as to promote the ends of justice and
Tighten the burden of expenditure is
needed, but it is presumed that the OBJ
ject can be effected under the present
Constitution or if not, two years only
will be required to effect the necessary
amendment if submitted at the approach
ing session of the Legislature. Other
changes are needed. Ifthere is no other
way to relieve the taxpayers of the harsh
conditions of existing laws for the sale of
property delinquent for taxes as expound-
ed by the Supreme Court, in accordance
with section article 2 of the Constitu-
ton, let it be expunged by a simple
amendment for that purpose. The peo-
PIE can better afford to wait two years for
relief in this method than to obtain it
year earlier at a cash outlay of 5000, 900,
to say nothing of the cost of Conven-
ton, in other ways. An amendment is
also needed to carry into effect that fun
damental principle of republican govern
nent requiring taxation and representa-
ton to go together. Fully one half of
the persons who participate in elections
pay no poll tax whatever. This should
be remedied. The organic law should be
so amended as to require (not property
nor educational qualification buD the
payment of poll tax as condition of
voting. The present mode of selecting
Judges by Executive appointment. ia
anti democratic and contrary to the
spirit of article Sd of the Constitution
which separates the departments Of the |
government, and is intended to render
each Independent of the other The ex-
listing mode takes from the people the
right to select their agents and surbordi-
mates the Judicial to the Executive de-
partment. 1t is a relic of Radical domi-
nation which was based upon distrust of
popular intelligence and was designed to
take power from the people and lodge it
in the hands of the favored few. The
people now have control of their own
affairs and whenever Convention is held
to frame another organic law, if the
change is not sooner made, their right to
elect Judges must be incorporated in the
supreme law of the State. But all these
essential reforms cannot be effected at
,nce. 1t is safe to make haste slowly. a
The taxpayers are not in a condition to O
pear the expense of Constitutional Con- '
Yention at this time; and we will ven d
ure the prediction that a majority of p
heir Senators and Representatives, real a
zing the cost of such an undertaking, t.
nd knowing that the organic law can he Il
mended without mourning it, will, upon a
nature reflection, reach the same conclu- Il
ion. s.
LIZ L =