The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1883-01-09
4 COnssis ueiomal COnventlon--PrO
and Con.

Editor FlorSdiaa: The immediate call for q
Constitutional Convention is the great and i'm
portant question now before the present General
Assembly, which they must determine. This
body has strong and earnest advocates both for
and against this measure of vital Importance,
whilst there are large number of its members
still rejecting as to its expedency. In point of
principle the entire Democratic members con-
cede the necessity of thorough revision of the
present Constitution, but they claim to differ as
to time and manner of the revision hence, the
issue between the advocates of the short cut, or
immediate call, and those favoring the old plan,
as prescribed by the present Constitution. The
people are sovereign, and all power not dele
gated by them to the General Government is still
retained by them They have never delegated
or parted with the power TO create. alter or
amend their State Constitutions, the only inhibi-
ton being that they shall not conflict with the
Constitution of the United States. Whenever
their organic law becomes oppressive, unjust or
impracticable, they have the inherent right and
ought to change it.
To claim that the people in 1868 had the sole
power and right to prescribe the method by
which the present Constitution, the fruit of their
labor, should be amended, revised or abolished,
is admitting that the Convention, which framed
that Constitution, had the right 10 forever pro-
this Constitution in any particular if they had so
seen proper
As one Legislature cannot by their act bind u
future Legislature, neither can the sovereign
People in one Convention assembled bind and
infringe upon the sovereignty of the People in a
future Convention assembled.
This is too obvious for further argument
But this is not the real objection.
The great trouble is simply matter of policy,
and not one of principle.
The apprehension of turning the counties in
the black belt over into the hands of the negroes
and radicals, by allowing the people to elect the
county officers is the real and true ground OF the
opposition 10 convention; which is not con-
fined alone to the short cut plan, but 10 conven-
ton per sc al present, or for the future in toto.
IT, then, the ground of this apprehension can be
removed, and this unfortunate state of affairs be
prevented, there seems to be left no sound rea-
son why the voice of the sovereign should not be
heard, and that Immediately.
This can be accomplished. And not only SO.
but the interests of the black belt can be more
securely protected by giving to that section a
Democratic representation in the Legislature,
which it has not enjoyed since the days of Radi-
Cal domination, and which it never will secure
In any other way.
To remove, then, all fears of this untoward
event, c. that the county offices will fall into
the hands Of the negroes, radicals and indepen-
dents" bat remain in charge of the intelligent
and VlrtuOuS let the Democracy OF the black
belt be fully assured; that the Convention which
is to assemble will provide in the new Consiitu-
ton
First That the payment of all taxes shall be
requisite qualification for suffrage.
Second. For representation in the Legisla-
ture, from the State at large say of sixteen addi
tional members, being four Senators and twelve
Assemblymen who shall be voted for by the
qualified electors of the entire State when they
elect the usual representatives TO the Legislature
from their respective counties
Third. That all county officers, in those coun-
ties so desiring, be elected by the Legislature.
Such desire to be determined by the Convcn-
ton.
BY this the candidates for the respective county
offices submit their claims, as they now do,
to the Democratic vote of their county, which
shall serve as the true and proper recommends
ton of their claims to the Legislature, as it now
is with the Governor
These measures should harmonic all conflict
ing views and enable the Democratic party to
solidify in favor of Constitutional Convention
at the earliest practicable day..
AS 10 the expense TO be incurred in calling q
Convention, it is confidently believed that the
measures of relrenchment to be enacted by this
Convention will save to the State in its first an
nual expenses more than enough to pay the en-
tire amount OF expenses to the State in having
the Convention. BLACK BELT.
TALLAHASSEE FLA, Jan. 8, 1883.