The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1879-02-25
The Proposed Change in cur State
Constitution.

| The issue before us, at our next
August election, Of changing the pres
cnt Constitution o. the State, seems TO
find an indifferent and careless rccep-
ton at the hands of the people The
fact is they are not sufficiently amil-
lar with. che pros and cons Of the
question to form any opinion what
ever, as to its proprieiy- Maj. Frank
Bristow, an able lawyer and editor, OF
Todd County, is strongly in favor OF
a Constitutional Convention. lie
thinks that the manner of changing
our Constitution is itselfan awkward
piece of legislation, but, for our part,
this feature is decidedly correct. The
Constitution as it now stands pro-
vides that the Legislature shall first
decide that 1t is necessary for q
change and that the issue shall be
submitted to the people. After the
question is aflirmatively decided by
the vote of the people, then II goes
back TO a new Legislature to approve
a second time, who again submits it
10 the people, and with this continued
succession of submitial the issue is
delayed probably for five years. This
gives 10 the Constitution a substan.
liability and prevents all rash and
hasty legislation. When VIC have a
Constitution il should be wise one,
aud the less often it is submitted to
change and alteration so much the
more are we assured of its wisdom,
aud so much the more are we guaraa-
teed a permanent dignificd govern.
ment There are several features in
our Constitution, adopted in 1851.
that seem to demand an alteration /;
the slave clause, for instance, that
made the importation of free colored
people a felony, which is now dead
letter, but then we have gotten along
swimmingiy in our Departments of.
State. Our Courts have power to
construe such clauses literally, so we
may expect no harm from any such
inapplicable dead letter in the Con.
stitution. Our State is out of debt.
Her citizens have enjoyed all the adj
vantages and privileges of fair and
free elections. Her national prestige
has been well and truly sustained.
Her free school system is as satisfac-
tory us that Of any State. and her
good citizens find no fault with the
practical workings of government.
Should we decide to call a Constitu- |
'ional Convention, there would be
new room for the workings of sec-
iional psliticians and, besides the
heavy expense to the State. some
most Objectionable feature might be
in the Constitution and caase I
! splitin our Democratic party, which
has so satisfactorily conducted the
affairs of State for many years.
We can see but little practical good
10 come of the new idea Constitution.
Certain it is, that no better prices
could be obtained for real estate.
crops or stock, and this is what is now
needed to lift the people from the i'm
pending suffering of national lcgisla-
ton. ,. |
Let us not tainper with our consti-
tuition, Let well enough alone. |
While we enjoy both religious and
political liberty, let alone the laws
that guarantee it. While living,
practical points are to be considered,
earning our bread by the sweat of
our brows, spare us this extra ex.
pense of Legislation and let all things
work together, as of yore, for the
good of them that love the law and
keep its commandments. John Ran
lolph. the wisest man of his day, OH
being publicly accused by his pOliii-
,al opponent, Mr.. Epps, with per-
Gerseness in legislation, boldly ac-
,epted the cap that fitted and pro.
,laimed that, ut has been the object
If my political life to hinder rather
han to promote legislation too much
egislalion is worse than none at ALL"
And we say now, that to delegate
OF of men to change our present Con-
'iitution would virtually give us "too
much legislation"