Weekly Trinity journal., 1879-05-03
THE LAST SHOT.


er it shall henceforth be governed by the
Old Constitution, amended from time to
time as the people demand, or whether it
will adopt the experimental, inconsistent
and contrad ictory instrument presented
by the late Constitutional Convention -
In this final appeal TO the voters of Trlni-
~ County we shall go back to the be-
ginning and here ask the earnest atten-
tion and consideration Of our readers
The question of calling Constitutional
Convention was submitted to the people
at the general election in 1877. Owing
to the manner in which ballots were
printed many did not vote on the ques-
ton at all. In our own county, out of a
fetal vote Of $50, there were $40 voted
d" For the Convention, and 98 Against
the Convention OF those who voted
in favor we were one, and we believe that
the same motives which influenced us to
cast our ballot For the Convention, ;"
controlled nearly, il net quite, all of the
other 339 who SO voted. That the Old
Constitution required amendment was
pretty generally admitted, as was also
the fact that IT could be more speedily
and efectually done through Conven-
tion than by the Legislature. So large
majority Of those voting on the question
seemed to think ard tie Convention was
accordingly called. Meantime, the
Kesrney party sprang into existence and
all reasonable citizens considered it q
dangerous and vicious element which
should he defeated at all hazards. This
sentiment gave rise TO the Non Partisan
movement. of which the JOURNAL was
sn early and onscientious advocate
Non Partisan candidates were nomina-
ted, pledged to oppose Kcarneyism, and
sincerely believin thOy would do so, we
gave them our enthusiastic and unquali-
fed support. The election came off and
we had the satisfaction of seeing our side
victorious Kearney only electing about
one>third Of the total number Of Dele
gates and most of these from the city Of
San Francisco. We were satisfied we
were elated we trusted in the promises
of politicians we believed that the Con-
stitutional Convention would meet, take
the Old Constitution for guide, amend
it where amendment was necessary and
adjourn inside Of 80 days, presenting n
work which would meet The hearty ap
proval and Endorsement OF the people.
What was the result I?
The Convention did meet. Men who
were elected as disinterested Non-Parti-
sans-pledged TO oppose Kearneyism-at
once showed themselves 10 be selfish pol>
iticans willing to tIuckle and combine
with the Kearneyites for the sole pur-
pose of personal advancement. Pledges
were forgotten the molasses had dried
out (; the flies had already been caught
fer the last occasion and instead Of be-
ing faithful to their supporters, it became
the business of many Of the Delegates to
arrange combinations which would aid
their personal and political ends m the
future. We watched the opening pro-
ceedings with jealous eye, partly in
disgust but still hoping for better things
when the real business in hand got under
way. But disappointment came all too
soon. When we saw the most pronounc-
ed opponents of Kearneyism fall down in
abject servility to the God of the sand
lot, we exclaimed with the poet "Sweet
Hope Kind cheat I" and gave way to
despair. The one,third Kearney minor-
ity controlled THAT Convention as etfectu-
ally as if it had been two-thirds majori-
ty. For the proof of this the Constitu-
ton presented is ample.
The people asked for bread the Con
vention gave them stone-aye many
stones, each tied about the neck of some
useful enterprise or industry of the State,
under which they are bou nd to sink.
Instead OF 80 days real work in the inter
ests of the people, with an economical ex-.
penditure Of the peoples money, that
Convention Of one hlndred and fdy- ti0o
Delegates friitered away one hundred
and Gfty.SeUen days, and one hundred
and fhV thousand dollars of the peoples
money for nothing They enlogize themo
selves for having provided against spe-
cis legislation and have the cheek-tbe
mildest term we can think of-to say in
the Constitution itself that "nothing in
this Constitution shall prevent the Leg
islature from providing, by law, for the
payment Of the expenses of the Conven>
tion framing this Constitution, including
the per diem of the delegates for the full
term thereof" Talk about back pay
steals" it is nothing in comparson.-
One hundred and fifty thousand dollars
more will not foot The bills, and if one
hundred and fifty cents would do it we
should object TO the payment.
And, now, in all seriousness, we ask
our readers to consider this subject we'll
and decide according TO their best judg-
ment. Can the State of California af-
ford To adept Constitution which is di-
rectly antagonistic to every business in
terest within its limitsf Which will
surely drive capital from the State and
increase the interest ON that which re-
mains Which provides for double and
treble taxation Which admits Of grad
uated and unequal taxation ? Which
utterly destroys the Public School sys-
tenn Which refuses State aid to noble
charitable institutions that care for and
protect the orphans, the aged and the
lnfrm of The poorer Classes, much better
than any State institution can ever hope
to do 7 Which legislatss out of office 20
State Senators and many Judicial officers
who have been elected by the people
Which plainly gives the Legislature
power to appoint County Officials, thus
taking from the people that dearest of
American privileges which allows us to
kU hn shall hn 81