The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1882-07-18
Editors Florida Crescent:

Editors Florida Crescent:
NV object in wiring the article published N
your issue OF July TO- was To ascertain the aFsn-
menis by which the advocates Of Consliia-
tional Convention sustained the postum they
assumed.
| have two articles advocating the iormailon
of a Constitution before me-one by Tyro.
containing, presume. all that he has 20 say IN
advncacv uf that measure another BY Mr. X
Campbell, of Pensacola, which, from The ability
OF the author, ! suppose presents all thai am
body can say in favor of the call Tor n 0onFen-
ton to frame New Constitution
As both writer's persne the same line OF az
gument an answer To one will be reply "a
both.
The reasons they present may be summarized
thus: There is a widespread discomfort IN the
Democratic party caused partly by The iailure Of
the rulers of that party To redeem the promises
of reform SO pTolusely given when before the
people for election. bui mainly by failing 10 give
The State New Constitution. that should place
the election of all officers. State and crsuniy. IN
the hands of the people.
1t cannot be denied that the Constitution might
long since have been remodelled without cast 20
the State If the members OF the Legislature had
been SO inclined and had the ability 10 do H. fer
the power to do so has been in their hands ever
since The election of Governor Drew.
Amendments 10 the Constitution Can be effected
through the agency of the Legislature in about
the same time and at no cost that VIII be re-
Quired To consummate through Convention
that will require an expenditure Of $4,000 But
what is proposed TO be effected by Convention
What are the changes in the Constitution that
are so desirable that cost OF $4,000 must he
incurred To obtain thems
Mr.. Campbell proposes 10 abolish all useless
officials and in the necessity OF this measure
concur; but il can be effected through Legisla
tive amendments To the Constitution as well as
the agency of a Convention
Mr. Campbell advocates this upon the score Of
economy but the question arises, how much viii
be saved, and how long will il take The annual
saving caused by the abolition of two, CT al
most three Offices 10 amount 10 so, O00s
We now come to the main issue, which = the
election Of all officers by the people. and this il
is claimed. is the true Democratic doctrine
If our State was In the condition il held 90
wears ago. that is in the hands of people who
might reasonably be supposed capable of select
ing their county officials wisely. / would sub
scribe 10 the correctness OF this theory; but in
this case in many of the counties. and these not
only the most populOus, but the most wealthy IN
the State How would il be IN Marion, Duval
Alachua, indeed, all the counties where the ne
gro population is in the majOriiys Would not
every official position be filed by the most crafty
and vicious of the cOlored population, and
would il be possible for the whites tOlive among
them? Give them the power and they viii do
that which is natural-elect none bul their own
color To official position. Is the advantage 81
electing their own officers great enough TO the
white counties To Justify the sacrifice "f eighteen
or nineteen OF the wealihiest counties IN the
State?
II is idle TO suppose that the present political
antaConism between the whites and the coloreCl
people will subside during the present generation
So long as il is the interest at the Republican
party to keep up the division between the Tscrs
il will continue To exist, and we must accept the
situation and shape our course IN accordance
with il.
OF what material is il likely the proposed Con-
vention will be compOseds Will II not mainly
consist of the members of preceding general a.
semblies-Of the very men who have had u in
their power, for six years, 10 effect the reforms
they now clamor for so loudly, and profess Ia
think needful, and yet made no effort To &C
complish?
| do not hold Governor Bloxham responsible
for the shortcomings of his party in the way 81
reform, nor The tom foolery of side elections in
troduced in the last State Convention. The Leg
islature alone had the power TO create the prom
ised and needed reforms. and the men who com
posed that body in the past should alone be held
responsible.
| should like to be informed what change in
the Constitution can be effected by Convention
that cannot be accomplished through legislative
amendments Our political thinkers have No;
shown such ability in their legislative labor as to
entile them TO be entrusted with the more i'm
pOrtant duty of framing organic law for the
government of the State; and the failure 10
amend the Constitution during the six years that
they had the unlimited power 20 do so, Goes not
afford much evidence of their ability to frame a
new one. I. ;. WISS-