The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1882-07-18
Union. Ju,rlll

choice Of eUils not good thing in ITSELF" " Our
opinion" says he, was in favor Of Its adoption,
notwithstanding its Objectionable features We
were governed by no personal considerations
whatever in then supporting il; We sought moth
ing under ii from anybody; we are governed by
no such considerations now in wishing to change
it. We believe that much could then be said in
its favor which cannot now; al any rate, the
alternative now is not between that Constitution,
framed by one sci of caIpet-baggers and worse
one framed by another SET, but between that
Constitution framed by Messrs. Reed, Osborn q
Co, and another to Be framed by the people OF
Florida, acting through their most discreet, intel
ligent, patriotic and wisest citizens" But one
of the main features which was urged in its
favor then was the appointing power which II
conferred on the Governor II this was good
feature them it is good feature nOc, and for pre-
cisely the same reasons. To read what Judge
Hilon's organ now says about the Constitution
one would think that it did not now, and never
did, contain anything of which favorable words
could be spoken.
Some days after the Constitutional Con-
vention met in 1868 there was split, but
each wing framed Constitution, both of
which instruments will be found reported
in the Congressional Record of that year.
The military authorities in command of
the Department of which Florida was a
part recognized the Reed, Osborn &
Co." Convention as the legitimate body,
and it was the Constitution framed by
this body that was submitted for ratifca-
ton. The other body was known as the
Billings Convention"
The Billings Constitution" which
would very probably have been forced on
the State had the one framed by Reed,
Osborn & Co." failed, was one of the
most outrageous and iniquitous instru-
ments ever conceived by set of run-mad
Radicals. 1t was extremely proscriptive
as to voting and holding office, going in
this respect beyond the reconstruction
acts and prescribing such test oaths as
would practically have disfranchised whole
classes of people, with little or no pros
pect Of any modification by Legislature
controlled wholly by negroes. In appor-
tioning representation in the Legislature
it gave to secen black counties, to-wit :
Jackson, Gadsden, Leon, Jefferson, Madi-
son, Marion and Alachua, control of both
Houses, and provided that no political
disability should be removed without the
consent of twO-thirds of each House 1t
provided also for the election of county
officers by the people, which would have
paved the way for perfect carnival OF
plumber, not in the black belt only, but in
many other counties. On the other hand
the Reed, Osborn & Co.'S" Constitution
provided for the appointment OF these
officers, and so apportioned representation
) in the Legislature as to place the contro
of both Houses of that body within the
power of the white counties In all i'm
portant political respects, it was unex
pectedly liberal as compared with the
other instrument. 1t had no proscriptivt
provisions and was pronounced at the
time to be more fair, politically speaking
than any other Constitution framed under
the reconstruction acts in any State. II
had some Objectionable features which
provoked opposition by Conservative.
Democrats, but many no doubt voted fol
its adoption through fear that a worse
thing would follow from its rejection
and, as we said on former occasion, il
adopted at all, it was no doubt adopted
by the votes of Democrats, for the Bill
lings wing opposed it with the utmost We.
hemence, as we'll because it was not suffi
GENTLY proscriptive to suit their extreme
views as because its apportionment feature
deprived the negro counties of the power
of controlling the Legislature and gave
. that power to the rebels" Some of its
Objectionable features have since been re
moved or changed by amendment and ju
, amended to advantage, and would be Sc
amended if the Conventionists and anti
f Conventionists were better agreed than
they now appear to be as to the best
mode OF perfectlng changes and as to the
character of some of the changes them
selves
, Beyond doubt the particular features
: which commended the Constitution to
such Democrats as voted for its ratifica
ton in 1868 were those relating to the
appointment of county officers, the ap
portionment of representation in the Leg
islature, and the omission of any provision
| excluding rebels " of any class and con
dition from the ballot box or from hold
, ing office. The Democratic candidate fol
Governor at the first election held under
it and while the vote Jpn its ratification
was being held, was ghllant Confederate
officer, Colonel George w. Scott.
The Monticello Constitution, whose
editor advocates Constitutional Conven-
| 41no favorc ohon1aS a1uo fbo Aov