, 1878-02-02
THE Coxsr,rtnox.L CONVENTION.

EpIroR STATESMAN Il respectfully ask
space in your paper for short communication
on The subject which heads this article. Upon
learning that law had passed at the last ses-
sion of the legislature, providing for conven-
tion to frame a constitution, then thought
would have nothing TO say or do in the matter
Numerous letters have reached me from va
rious parts Of the territory in relation to the
subject Some gentlemen whom l highly es-
ten, have interrogated lie upon matters grow
ing out Of the question. These letters have
induced nie to give the whole subject a careful
consideration, and the conclusions ! have ar
rived at hesitate not to give the public IN this
COMMUNICATION
|. | am in favor of a state-the reasons
which caused NE to arrive at and occupy this
position are numerous, but improper and
unnecessary to be assigned at this stage Of the
question:
One Of the steps necessary to secure that de-
sired result is the submission Of the constitn-
ton. when framed to the people for ratification
or rejection.
Its evident that not every constitution which
may lr framed viii be accepted but one pre-
pared with great care, and one absolutely free
from every possible suspicion, can hope to meet
! the apprubation of the people
Now as the convention l. composed of hftecn
members only-few in all conscience for 50 i'm
portant a matter-the very best men OF the
territory should be chosen, and that too ,rfhodf
r,.,syd 10 politics In other words, the necessi-
ties of the case require that We should rise
above politics In fact. the men selected ought
to he as far as possible representative men,
/ Now. If YOU divide so small a body by partl-
zan politics, will not suspicion at once attach
! to the document they produce? If SO, Is not
its rejection inevitable!
For this reason alone-althoush Others might
be given--I am unequirocaly opposed To poll
tics in the selection of members to the conven-
ton to frame constitution for the future state.
No such disturbing element ought for one
moment to he permitted to intrude Itself INTO
the deliberations of that body.
Being excluled, it is safe to say that docu-
rne;t will be produced free from any suspicion
whatever. and one that viii commend itself to
tn. people.
4 document that VIII nee.l no advocate upon
the stump t. show its adaptability To the wants
Of the country-to point out its beauties,
euln,,ize its provisions, or ur,e ITS ratification.
1t viii he able to speak for itself.
> II is to be our fundamental law. We
have in our territory three district judges,
who's, duty it is 10 exI0und law They should
he selected by all means, either from the judi
cial districts within which they each reside, or
for the territory ut large They can accept and
serve the people in this regard without any
comlrollIiSe whatever. if the suggestion have
made i'll relation 10 the exclusion party from
the ur,-stion PREY ais. But. if p,rtizan politics
is invoked we shall lose the benefit Of their
knowledse and experience altogether, for no
one can imagine that either of those gentlemen
while upon the bench would consent to be the
candidate nf 4 party
know it may he said that good men can be
found who will acc,pt. Bat every good man Is
not competent to perform the very delicate
and important duties dcvolving upon members
Of 4 constitutional convention. And the men
who are competent. ought under the peculiar
circumstance, to emPliatically decline being;
tn c,,n.iidates Of Il party. \. I. CAroN.