The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1882-12-26

CkDo91eU11o00A Co0NuDno0s
Nsissr Flsvs1ies: notice In ~ lase OsNsf-
tssiea. the concludiug portion d Mf Pascos let
ter on this question did mot 80 the frst. bat
II it Il a. untenable a. this, must confess my
surprise He says q Convention win cost $f6.-
125. How docs he secure this RESULT BY linn
Ting The number Of delegates 70 said Convention
to foriy-6ve. Now what authority has the Leg
stature to call Convention and limit the dele
gates to forty five, when the constitution ex-
pressly says that it shall consist Of number OF
members not less than both branches Of the
Legislaturer The number of members In both
branches Is one hundred and eight. Does Mr..
Pasco propose TO ignore the constitution In all
respects or has he forgotten 10 read that instru-
ment before discussing iti
Now let as look TO the cost of q Convention as
the facts warrant. 1t will cost each county on
an average about 800 to hold an election for
Convention and delegates. Allgeneral elections
prove this. There being 80 countless the election
Of delegates will cost $4,000. The Convention,
consisting of 1903 members, with their per diem,
mileage, clerks, printing. stationery, &C.. will
not cost less than $40, 900. when the Conven-
ton meets, you will see it will be $4,000. and
mark the predicton) Then to submit the new
constitution to the people for ratification will
cost another $4,000. Then Legislature that
meets to put that constitution in operation will
cost at least another $4,000 Here we have the
account standing:
Two elections, one TO call the CONVEX
ton and the other TO ratify the Con-
stltuttOn.. ................... $SS,SVV
Cost of Convention. .......... 10000
Cost of Legislature to put new COnstitu-
ton in operation. .................. 10000
Total cost Convention. .s1Oe, 200
Now this is low estimate, and the experience
of all other States is similar to that of Florida,
that when a new constitution is adopted, it gen.
orally requires one or two extra sessions Of the
Legislature to get everything in good working
shape. The truth is a general election in this
State costs the people nearly as much as Mr.
Pasco estimates for the entire cost of the Con-
vention. Away with such stuff Let the peo-
pie know the truth.
Mr.. Pasco further says that Georgia took a
short cut to a Convention. Now this surprises US
more than his other assertion. 1t is not true
We call upon Mr.. Pasco to show it. We have
the old constitution of Georgia before US; we
also have the law calling the Convention that
framed the present constitution. The Legisla-
ture follows the very letter, as we'll as spirit of
the former constitution in calling the Convention.
Mr. Pasco should not try to impose on the peo-
pie in such manner. The truth is the "short
cut" advocates fippantly assert that various
States resorted to the "short cut" system, but
when an examination is made it is found incor-
rect.
Now, Mr.. Editor, notwithstanding COnven-
ton will cost the people over 100000, am in
favor of Convention, but for far more cogept
reasons than Mr.. Pasco gives. Space, however,
will not allow me to give them. But in favor
ing Convention cannot advocate disregard
of the constitution in calling it. Every member
of the Legislature and every official has sworn
to support that constitution, and l cannot see
how they can disregard it. Follow the consti-
tuition in making the call just as Georgia and
other States have DONE and not esort to the semi
revolutionary method, pregnant with danger,
that the " short cut" men advocate LEx