Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1883-01-20

lneut separately" to be voted oil,
more effectually to aecure its adoption.
II at all, on its ovn intrinsic merits.
For it is well known that iu adopting
, new or revised constitution as
whole. both the convention aud the
people At the polls are apt to adopt il
for tho sake of its good provisions,
taking along with them some obj,c-
features. which would be re.
ject.d if voted on alone. So that the
most effectual way to secure q perfect
after adopting one. good
in the main, is to amend it's defects by
q direct vote of the people on "each
separately" as provided
for in our constitution. Beside, this
is more expe ditious, rs under
the provisions OF the constitution.
before convention for revising and
the constitution could be
held the general assembly would
have, BY law. to submit the question
of holding such convention to vote
Of the people; aud tn case tho people
should vote for the holding of the
then an election would |
have to be held throughout the state
for the election of delegates by sena-
torial districts to the convention {;
aud then after the expenditure of the
time aud money necessary, aud after
the convention should revise and
amend the constitution, the same
would have to be submitted 10 vote
of the people Of the state at another
election for ratification or rejection.
and then would follow the proclama-
tion Of the governor. So that every
consideration Of economy, expedition.
directness aud accuracy are in favor
Of amendments of the constitution by
amendments proposed to the people
by the legislature, rather than by
means Of Q convention for that
purpose.
The constitutional convention of
1875 was only justifiable because the
constitution Of 1865. framed by a con-
vention in the midst of the throes OF
civil war. controlled aud dictated by
the passions and animosities Of that
unfortunate conflict, had engrafted
into it q number Of anti.republican
aud proscriptive provisions totally at
war with the spirit Of our free institu-
tions; aud because the results OF that
war had materially changed the social
structure Of our state government.
aud had fastened on our people many
aud oppressive abuses Of Official
powers aud duties,s that it was more
like putting q new government in
operation than the ordinary case of
amending the organic law OF the state.
But Governor Crittenden, after the
suggestion OF "thoughtful aud intel.
ligsnt cltizsns," tells the general as
sembly, 'sit is not my province to ad-
wise you in this matter" If not, why
does he sllude. to it7 Yet not content
to let the matter rest here he gives
another parting slam at the constltu-
ton by urging the general assembly
to take such action s'best calculated to
insure to the people of the state of
Missouri q constitution worthy OF
the dignity aud commercial impor-
tance OF such Q state, aud will more
surely guarantee to her citizens all
the rights which frse people should
possess" Does Governor Crittenden
mean to say that our constitution
adopted by majority Of some seventy
thousand of our people. is not
"worthy of tho dignity and CONNER.
cial importance Of such a state p
Whence has the "dignity and com.
me. cial importance" of the state and
the prosperity of The business Interests
Of the state aud it's people so boasting-
" emunciated in other parts of his
message by Governor Crittenden
come. il not under the operation and
working of this constitution And
what ''rights which free people should
possess," are denied in the present
constitutionp None. Unless it be
the fright" or running the state
counties, cities, towns and schoo
districts over " helmingly in debt. and
imposing higher taxation on private
property to the great oppression Of
The taxpayers and toiling millions
as was done under the old constitu
ton or tho "right" to open the tlood
gates OF wild aud visionary scheme,
for building railroads by lending the
aid Of the state. counties, cities anC
towns. and even townships to theil
schemos for private aggrandizemenl
to be paid for by direct taxation Oh
the people.
| Does not our bill of rights secure
all the rights of free peoplep Attel
reading the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
of Governor Crittenden in connection
with the constitution stranger might
conclude that the people of Missouri
were still llliving under the "Draconian
Code." abolished in 1875. But how
sadly are these expressions contra
dicted by other parts of Governor
Crittenden's message? Iu the fore
part thereof, aud before he had re-
ceived suggestions from "thoughtfu
aud Intelligent citizens" he says: 81
congratulate you upon your assembly
- the chosen representatives of the
people. under such suspicious sur.
roundings and. favorable oircumstan.
ces. Order prevails in every part OF
the state; local affairs are managed
with wisdom aud economy; the laborl
OF the husbsndman have been repaid
? with most abundant harvests; the
people are blessed with good hral,h
peace, liberty and cOutentmeut; sign,