The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1880-02-11

the hour and, whether wise or unwlse,
can hardly De q question in any Constitu-
tional Convention of this State.
To the 9th, 7th, Sth, 9th and 18th changes
or additions there certainly ought not 70 be
any obiection-they must be considered
wise and judicious.
The 10th requirement is intended only to
aid the State in the collection of its reve-
nues, and can work no hardship.
The appointment by the Governor OF the
Judges aud Chancellors, and the abolition
of the Probate Courts are, generally con
sidered as wise measures, and well suited 70
the exigencies of the State. That there
should be a Constitutional provision re-
curing the establishment of a free school
system, and providing Tor Its maintenance
cannot be denied.
/ If any change of the existing provisions be
| desirable, it can be easily effected in the
mode pointed out in the Constitution. SO,
also, with the provisions relative to the
| subdivisions of lands sold under judg-
ments and DEGREES of courts.
/ In the face of these facts q portion of
YOUR Committee allege that the principal
objections to it, 1.-THE Constitution are that
it represses remedial, Informative and pro-
gressive legislation, restricts the applica-
| ton of experience to the Common School
system. 1.-THE language of these objections
| is certainly vague and indefinite, and its
meaning obscure. 1t has, at least, the mer-
| it of being hard to understand. 1t IS GER
J tain that the distinguished reviser aud cod
/ ifier of our laws, whose work is now before the
! LEGISLATURE has not officially complained
/ that he has been repressed' by the Consti-
tuition in his effort to produce code OF
remedial, reformative and progressive
laws" or that he has been restricted"
/ therein from applying experience to the i'm
/ off hn School SVStpna-
The remaining question raised by those
| gentlemen is that the Constitution estab-
| fishes IAN unwise and expensive registra.
| ton scheme" This objection surely, is
more apparent than real, which a bare
reference to the Constitution will show.
That instrument has but one short Section
on that subject, viz: Article MI, Section
3, is as follows:
1.-The Legislature shall provide by law for
the registration of persons entitled to vote
at any election, and all persons entitled to
register shall take and subscribe to the fol-
lowing oath or affirmation" then follows an
oath of age. residence and fidelity to the
Constitution and laws of the United States
and of this State. There is no scheme estdb-
Eished here. The scheme complained of IS an
the Statute and not the Constitution.
We think we have demonstrated that our
Constitution is not radically defective, but
ments are deemed necessary we submit that
article XIII thereof providing for the mode
of revising the Constitution affords a RENE
dy, adequate and complete, and thereby any
section may be reformed or stricken out An
other auestionwhich should be considered by
the Legislature in calling Convention and
revision of our present, or the adoption OF
another Constitution, Is the effect 1T would
have upon our existing laws. An examina-
| Oh xxiIl Shn
stated that it is not unlike the Constitution
of 1882, with only certain alterations and
amendments adapted to the changes incl
dent to the results of the late war, and our
present system of laws from that time to
! the present are in harmony Herewith.
Those laws have stood the test of time and
experience, and have passed the scrutiny of
the ablest judicial tribunals of our State
and why now call a Convention which will
be clothed with the power OF changing and
unsettling the statutes and the fundamental
laws of the land from its earliest history ?
And, again, we would invite the attention
of the Legislature to another fact They
are now passing upon a Code of laws, the
result of great labor to the codifier and
great expense to the State. That Code is
based upon our Constitution as the organic
law, and why call a Convention with the
power to alter, amend and annul that Con-
stitution and adopt another which might
necessitate the adoption of another Code of
laws.
There are reasons of political nature
why Convention should not be called, but
we do not think it necessary to discuss
them. Harmony and good will exists be-
tween all classes of our citizens, and calling
Convention would, as we believe, raise
issues which would have a tendency to Gre
ate spirit of unrest among the people.
For these reasons we are brought to the
conclusion that to call Convention would
be unwise and inexpedient.
GEO. K. BIRCHETT,
Chairman Senate Com.
J. B. PERKINS,
Senate.
J. P. CARTER,
Senate.
In the main approve of the report and
am opposed to the calling of Convention,
FRANCIS A. WOLFF,
OF the House