Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-03-08
A SINGULAR BxrRA SESSION SITUATION

ton are confessions of error in its sdOp.
ton. II the proposed amendments are
presented and adopted, the majority of the
people will admit that the scheme Of the
new Constitution has failed of the promise
its advocates claimed for it. But the new
Constitution was the outcome of Con-
vention of the people chosen to that single
task. 1t is now proposed in the heat of a
political campaign, under the influence of
partisan passion, and at the instigation of
prejudices of the most morbid character, to
practically reconstruct the organic instru.
ment.
The RECORD UNION, it will be remem.
bered, opposed the adoption of the new
Constitution. It found some good in it,
but more of evil. Il believed its general
scheme to be grounded in error, and its
methods to be irrational. We did the best
that in US lay to prevent its adoption, be.
cause we believed it would not conserve
the best interests of the people of Cslitor
MIA. We certainly have had no reason to
regret the position then taken. Every ma
terial objection raised to the document has
been sustained on actual trial.
The men who now propose a revision are
not the same who erected the Constitution
they are far less representative. They
represent & party, or rather the wing of the
Democratic party, and that wing the most
vicious element in the party, since it is
just genteel and intelligent enough to
give an air of responsibility to its
low.born and wholly selfish scheming.
The Cons .tutional Convention, compared
to this element, was a grandly representa-.
tive and statesmanl'ke body, yet its ma.
iority was not saved from wrongheaded-
ness by the group of brilliant and talented
conservatives who gave whatever of digni-
ty the body had, and secured to it what
ever of distinction it enjoyed. We are
now about to turn backward, and patch up
or undo the work of that Convention. 1t
is easy to forecast the result it will be a
piling of error upon error instead OF re-
turn to reassn, we will probably be asked
to go back to abandoned and exploded sys-
TENS, or to enter upon new and doubtful
experiments to crush out enterprise and
drive investment from our shores.
The great difficulties experienced in all
these considerations is that of meeting the
cry of the demagogues. Sensible people
know perfectly well that to reason with
this class is to throw pearls before swine.
If the press should venture to suggest error
in any proposition advanced by them, their
reply is assault upon motive, and their de.
Tense the one worn cry under which such
wrongs have for all time been committed,
and such monstrous outrsges upon human
rights for all time perpetrated-" the PEG.
pie. the demand OF the people" The
demagogue and the political rascal invaria-
bly, shield themselves behind 1.-the peo-
pie" They uniformly claim the exclusive
right to voice the will of the people
It will therefore be very difficult, in
deed, during the sitting of the coming
extra session. to discuss intelligently the
questions of political economy that are to
come before it. So soon as any logical de.
bate is entered upon "mud will be
thrown, motives impugned, characters as.
persed, epithets hurled, and the sacred
name Of ''the people be taken in vain.
We are quite inclined to the belief that it
is best to let these fanatical partisans
have plenty of rope, for they will
surely hang Themselves that it will be
wisest to refrain from pointing out the
errors they are certain to make; to patiently
submit to the infection of the Democratic
farce until wearied patience shall ring
down the curtain. To discuss their
with them will be but to assist
them to the accomplishment of their ne
fsrious designs in more cunningly devising
their assaults upon the truth. When they
shall have submitted their plans to the
people, we will then have a jury worthy of
address. In the forum of the State the
discussion of the wisdom or folly of the
partisan caucus at the Capitol, will be in
order.
But even to this suggestion there is
grave objection, since the uncomfortable
agencies that bring about the extra session
are fully aware that there is no restraint
placed upon the Legislature as to the limit
Of time in which the proposed amendments
nay be submitted, for it is fact, which
of the future will record with
that this people of the
sovereign State of California so far sur
,endered their liberties to legislative |
body of small proportions, and liable TO be
.he slave of party and passion, as to give |
% that body the absolute right to say
within what time constitutional amend. |
nent must be voted upon. That is to say,
/ legislative suggestion to amend the
fundamental law may be passed and signed
IN Monday and there IS no po,oer to prsUeat |
he same authority declaring that the PEG.
he shall uote upon the proposition on Tues.
lag. This is an extreme statement, it is |
rue, but strictly legal one, since the
Constitution provides that amendments
hall be voted upon in such manner, at
UGH time and after such publication as
he Legislature deems expedient. 1t will
Ie thus seen that unless wisdom shall
ring about sn amendment of the amend.
ng clause of the Constitution this people
) at the mercy of any set of demsgogues
hat may be able to debauch a Legislature.
BE PHENOMENA OF THE RIVERS.
During the current week there has been
phenomenal rice In the Sacramento river