The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1882-03-07

and with reason on its side, that, taught by ex-
perience, ii prefers the certain, simple and plain
plan of Convention TO the circuitous, uncer-
tain and unsatisfactory road to the legislative
amendment of the Constitution The advocates
of a Convention, therefore, are not In state of
mind 10 urge action by the Legislature with Dc
heMence, having no confidence in that body and
must, perfOrce, leave it TO those rho have conf
dence 10 bring out the necessary Ceheneat aciioa by
that body" We co not believe the FLoRIDIAN
itself will ever get up any vehemence" in
favor of the several valuable amendments of the
| Constitution advocated by it, unless il changes
its advocacy of the plan of devOlng legislative
session 10 the work.-GdincsUae AdUocdte..
On the contrary, we believe that what
Republican Legislature has done Dem
ocratic Legislature can do. We believe
furthermore that no amendments to the
Constitution will be made unless BIZ the
Legislature or through a Convemtion
called IN conformity Nth the forms pre-
scribed By the Constitution Either of
these processes of amendment will require
time, but amendment by the Legislature
can be accomplished as speedily as through
Convention thus called and at compar-
atively little expense. 1t is the conven-
tionists per Sc who have prevented changes
in the past, and it will be this class who
will defeat amendments by the next Leg
islature, if they are defeated. "The sew
eral valuable amendments " suggested by
the FLoR1DIAN, if not endangered by
lacking on others likely to provoke deci-
ded opposition, will be passed, as we be-
lieve, by the Legislature at its next ses-
sion. We can conceive of no formidable
hostility likely to be excited, for example,
against the election by the people of the
"Cabinet of Administrative officers :" or
against the abolition of certain offices as
constitutional offices - notably the off,
ces of Adjutant-G General, Superintendent
of Public Instruction and Commissioner
of Lands and Immigration-or the doing
away with the life tenure in the Office Of
Justice of the Supreme Court, or the
equalizing Of the salaries of all Judges.
An amendment reducing the size of the
Legislature is desirable and there is nc
reason why it should not be made at the
next session also. Other changes as rea
sonable as those suggested car Esd no
doubt will be made and sr'''-o ratincatlon
when snhrsis,as 90 the people. All that
win be necessary to procure prompt ac-
ton by the Legislature, in our judgment,
will be an understanding in advance that
the people expect and demand it. Each
amendment should stand on its own mer-
its AM not be coupled with changes cal
culated to stir up strife and cause the de-
feat of such as would, standing alone, re-
ceive the required vote. can entire re-
vision of the Constitution " is delusive
cry. 1t is only in certain particulars that
changes are required. Should Conven-
ton be held, it would re-enact the great
bulk Of the provisions now in force, and
why should we go to the expense of such
body merely to continue in force what
already exists, when the Legislature, at
little or no cost, can make the few
changes deemed necessary?
The Key West Democrat favors Con-
vention, but sees danger in "short
cut" to such an assemblage. "Follow
the statute" it wisely says; " do not at
tempt quick and doubtful means which
are urged by some that is, do not in
sist that members of the Legislature who
swear to support the Constitution shall
disregard its requirements in calling a
Convention. e Follow the statute.'' We
quote what the Democrat says:
The arguments in our different State ex
changes regarding the calling of a constitutional
convention are varied. We believe that many
changes are needed. but will II be safe for the
Democratic party at an early day TO place this
question before The people : We remember the
large majority against II In the fall Of $780, when
the State went largely Democratic, and II
was known 40 q Democratic measure What
questions have arisen since then that have added
weight or prominence TO The reasons then urged
II is true that we favor q constitutional conven-
ton, bat 10 It not TO be feared that such call at
the present time may prejudice our fall elections?
There are strong forces At work 10 try and disin-
tegrate the Democratic party Of Florida; there
are ambitious men anxious 70 become leaders In
new faction and with this element of discon-
tent we are called upon TO deal Now the State
Is prosperous under the present Constitution, the
people are seemingly contented with the laws,
then why should we, Ia this era Of prosperity,
invite discord by an attempt to change the or
gauic law OF the State any too hurriedlys Fol-
low the statute; do not attempt quick and
doubtful means which are urged by some Two
or three years hence viii be time enough for
constitutional convention.