The Phoenix herald. (Phoenix, Maricopa County, A.T. [Ariz.]) 1879-1882, 1879-04-23
THE CONSTITETRONAL CON
FLICT CALIFORNIA

the old constitution and those of the
new, in California. we nevertheless
cannot avoid being deeply interested,
as results are involved that concern
not only California, but in a very con-
siderable degree the entire country
The contest has apparently assumed
the form of Capital against Labor or
perhapSe more properly, the contest
between Capital and Labor has been
made chief element of the issue.
The new constitution has been
framed with this clement constantly
in view and the old one is not with
out a touch of it.
We have said the contest has dppa-
rehtlg assumed this form. With the
rabid. fanatical portion of California s
citizens the contest is that OF Capita
and Labor, but with the thinking So
Der community, the contest is TO Sc
cure justice 10 all and for the perfec-
ton of the institutions and immunl-
ties to be secured to the people.
It is a mistaken idea that the eco
nomic affairs of a state or people can
be turned into other than their natu-
raj channels and produce more per-
feet and satisfactory results the on
" proper course to be pursued is to
guard against the excessive erosion,
here and there, of the rabid torrent
1t may be restrained to the proper
limits without damage, but shut 1t Oh,
t,,rn it out of its natural course, and
The surroundings are flooded ana
hurried in the mire and debris sure TO
result. The old Constitution, so far
rs if roes. exercises this restraining
Influence. the new one, 1t seems to us,
would suddenly change the entire
course of economic interests. The
old constitution falls short o; the
mark, falls short of producing the
proper restraint in certain directions
the new constitution goes too far, III
some respects. Fer instance, its arti
! Gle respecting schools is enough TO
damn the whole instrument, for ii re
duccs the now excellent system OF
schools in California to a chaotic. use
less mass Of rubbish. which will in
yoIve the people ultimately in great
expeuse and reduce the educational
/ facilities of the State to a minimum
in quality and quantity. On the 9th
or hand the matter of taxation has a
most excellent feature in its restrict
ing influence upon land monopolies
but then, again, it is possible, under
the provisions of this same head, that
taxation will become doubly burden
some to the people at large, WHO are
possessed of any means whatever
Those who have nothing, it Is notica
BILE. are the ones who are most LOUD
in Its praise, most rampant in its sup
mort. Down with mOneyed men,
is the crv, no matter what it may
. cost the masses of the people, those
who are the backbone and sinew o.
the country, and those too, who
would be the first to fall from blow:
that must necessarily strike them hrs
and hardest-hardest, because they
have less to shield them, less re
sources of protection. As TO th'
matter of the municipal government
of certain cities, the new constitu
ton virtually turns them over to tn
parties who are most corrupt ant
t who can produce the most money
Though we see much in the new con
stitution to commend it there ar
great and paramount evils whicl
would be inaugurated by it ant
= which would be more insufierable t
: the people at large than those alread
existing under the old constitution
The object of new constitution
should not be TO limit the powers q
certain persons Or organizations, bu
to secure equitable distribution c
Justice and the greatest good of til
people as body.