The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-30
CoF6IIT0TIoyAL CONvENTloS

Tine suggestion that Il constitu-
tiouM convention be called at an
early day meets with very general
favor No greater evidence Of the
neces IS for such q convention can
Doe presented than this constant at
tempt 60 tinker with the constitution.
The instrument as it is has never
given satisfaction, but every effort to
int .rfere with it, as it seems, is
calculated 10 impair more than ever
it's symmetry. Not only are dangerous
propositions presented. but the man
ner Of voting upon them is infinitely
more dangerous than the best Matched
schemes of the most accomplished
legislative Hobbies. Here, in fact. is
tie greatest evil connected with the
Obs eering process. A lobby of CAPT
tg,i5ts, Tor instance, takes hold of
legislative body and secures the adop-
ion Of "a resolution providing for
% very latitudinous investment
of public funds, and the same infu-
ences that secure the passage Of the
lta'4utlDAi III Ltit lNe IoltlbtANs 81 W
work to control a limited sphere of
voters on a special election day, and
Tine resolution becomes, probably,
through such eXtraneou5 agencies
part Of the organic law of the state.
The faulr, to be sure, is with the peo-
pie who do not vote at special cleo
ions, and who thus show their lack
of interest in government. No con-
stitatioual measure should be adopted
at special election. OF course the
politicians are opposed to submitting
constitutional questions at general
elections, because, as candidates, they
would be called upon to
take position for or against
such measures. and thus they might
DE weighed more carefully in the pub
lie balances as to capac ty or fitness
for Office. Who will deny that there
not supreme justice and the great
safety i'm having all constitutional
questions submitted to popular de-
sion nc Il time when the greatest
number of voters attend the polls? Ex-
pertcuca has taught us that a popular
expires ON is impossible under spe-
eiaI election, and most people must
recognize the necessity of so amend
ing The constitution that no change
therein can be made except at
general elections; yet the asser-
zion IS safe, We're a Constitu
tional proposition to this effect
submitted ut a special election,
that the measure would be defeated.
The very agencies that hope to con-
troll constitutional provisions would
labor with a viii for its defeat. know
ing the impossihiiity of controlling
the real popular vot@Of the state, cast
at general elections. Could there be
q stronger argument presented, de-
handing, as Il uecessity, the cOnvoca-
tiol of constitutional body, to re-
model our constitution in conformity
with popular demand and public
necessity? This one requirement is,
Within Itself, of enough importance
TO Justify the holding of
constitutional convention. There
is 81 sacTedness about organic law, in
compatible with the will Of agencies
that lay out work for, and which con-
troll, special elections. IL the latter
were TO manipulate the process of
changing constitutional provisions
during the period Of one generation,
the constitution would become
mighty farce, shaping measures for
individual ends, and building up class
interests most hostile to p pular in
tereSts. Whether the measures, lately
| presented to the people at the special
election. be decided one way or the
other, that election brings forcibly
! before Us the necessity for measure
OF popular safety, that can only be
secured through Il popular convention.