The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-09-01
CoNsTI iUrIONAL AMENDMENTS

Having discussed briefly in Yesterday
mornings issue the judiciary amendment 70
the constitution, We propose this morning 70
consider of the amendment lengthenlng leg
i.latiyc sessions from sixty 10 one bundled
dave at SIS per dsy for the legislator. We
have not by US verbatim copy OF the
amendment, but we have stated Its gist and
substance. While the HERALD does not
olsin 10 be the author or inslgstor of
this amendment, still it suggested
Il in more than one edi' orisl, giving some
asons in its favor before it was ever pro-
,sed in tho legislature. Thinking then that
the constitution should be so amended, now
that the amendment ia submitted to the pee
ple for their adoption or rejection, We sle
of course heartily in favor of its adoption
for no cause for its rejection has occurred
t, Us in our thought upon it, nor have we
seen any suggested in Sny psrtr
per in tho state, although some
| papers oppose IT, While we have
never had an exalted opinion of the
present constitution as whole, never been
imoressed with sDy fills supposed excellons
cies, or any i;aagned wisdom it msy display
or force and efficiency it may possess, believ-
ino that II is full of crudi los sud weaknesses
a, the Fundamental law of great and grow
ing state, a barrier in many respects, indeed,
to The prosperity and development of the
slate; still VIC have never been of
those TO rail against it, to de-
nounce. vilIify or fiuicue "
per SO. We have always thought there was
too much ra.absgaism in it, too much of
the eftete and the antedeluvian, yet we have
deemed it best to let it alone, getting along
with and under it 90 best we could, trying to
amend ito Objectionable features from time
10 time 90 as to avoid the. expense for tho
state of another constitutional convention,
and TO prevent the charge of instability OF
principles and views being made against 1ne
people of Texas. This amendment in question
we earnestly commend TO the people for adop-
| ton as We do that on tine judiciary. Ire
amendment, per SO does meet with, cur
entire endorsement, for we really think the
legislature ought to be untramme!ed as TO
the length of IT'D sessions and the per diem
pay of its members. These gentlemen Sc
lected as senators and representatives come
from the body Of the people and are the
choice of the people, selected rs
rule because OF their worth, their in
tegrity end intelligence, and IL
ID certainly but An ordinary courtesy and a
respectful confidence due them to leave to
their patriotism, their senso Of right and
ustice the question of time it will take them
TO perform the duties they once in two
years meet to perform, and the amount per
day their services are worth. The proper
legislation of Texas is not question OF who
will do ii cheapest. lfso, then il ought TO
be let out by contract, It's question with
each senatorial and representative dis
tritt in the state or, ahould be, OF
who can and will best represent
such district and the state ss whole, when
candidates are in the field. The history Of
legislation in this state, in every stnte in the
union, and of the union by congress, 10 thai
1t cannot be rushed, tina! haste makes waste,
that there is both economy ard wisdom il
discussion, calm consideration and mature
delberation upon all ques.ions and measure!
proposed. In 3 state so largo ns Texas Gn(
with such diversity of Interests, each do
pendent upon tho other it is nonsense 10 ss,
a. some OF the papers Of the state do
that in biennial sessions all the work necesss
r. can bs done and these interests harmon.
lied in thirty or sixty days. L. lskes time e
properly 10 this bisuniul work. This va
rious committees OF the two houses who
really do the bulk Of the work have such
multiplicity of bills and resolutions re:orre,
to them, May Of them referring 10 th
same subject, that they cannot In justice 4
themselves and TO tho best inieresls Of tn
state throw of work Ike steam engine,
Tho work of legislation ii it b
properly done is iiresomo an
wearing 10 body and brain. 1t ia not lili
T making pals, so many huud'ed day; O
A selling Calico so much yard and cheap Il
a that; or blowing land, such m area in $
=. many hours Of labor-or any other OF To
/ fixed ard every day avooaiiOnl. There mui
= bo thought aud study and research on
, argument that tho beet and the most fesslbl
o aud practicable ma, DO eliminated an
| accomplished. We know that Il is oommo
!. custom with tho pspes Of the Ian
r whenever state legislature or congre
!, Is in session 10 constantly indull
: in fllppsnt illusions TO them and their Ii
. bors, TO find fault and TO animadvert upo
the members, and pity tho people and try
4 say smart things, q custom in which there
o neither rhyme or ressou, but only the verie
4 nonsense. or course wo excep! logitima,
J. discussions by the press of any measure ,
9 measures proposed. Tha, Is right and propI
Q and indeed the duty Of the press and of II
o people, ba. the Sensoloss lings, inuondo,
/. and csrpiogs 80 common arc rcprehensible
v the extreme and belittle the pspe
!, that indulge in them as we