Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1884-06-29
A CONSTITUTIONAL CONvEN.
TON.

Carson on the subject of calling a Con-
stitutional Convention. The subject has
been much discussed, and the action OF
the Democratic Convention at Austin
brings it now into immediate prominence.
We are not disposed to consider it from
q political standpoint. 1t belongs to
neither party and we are not aware that
any Democrats wish to make capital out
of the fact that their convention have
done something to precipitste the dis
cussion.
Gen. Clarke takes the ground that a
Constitutional Convention is what we
need and that the Legislature is not
adapted for such specific work. He
says in reply to q question by the
Gazette's report:
OF course the Legislature could pro-
pose amendments but that is not the best
remedy, nor is it practicable. In the
present depressed state OF our finances
and business the matter is very urgent,
and if the Legislature was disposed to
relieve us it could not do SO In less than
four or five years. Amendments pro-
posed in this way must pass two success
sive Legislatures before they can reach
the people. In the mean time the delay
will cost us in salaries and other ex-
penses ten times as much as a conven-
ton which could cut up the evils with
out delay. Remedy by the Legislature
is wholly impracticable. We know, by
experience and by our common knowl-
edge of the legislative assemblies, that
they would not amend the Constitution
if they knew how. As a rule our law
makers belong to the Office holding class
and are interested in perpetuating the
abuses Of which we complain. They are
not likely to legislate against their own
interest. Furthermore, they are not elect
ed with reference to any such duty, but
usually to promote some local object or
choose a Senator in Congress. Nor are
they always the very best men the
State affords. 1t is seldom we see a
Legislature at Carson that we would
trust with the important functions OF
framing a fundamental law, and it has
been a long time since we saw one that
could not be influenced by the office
holders and corporations combined"
Rep.-"Will a convention be any bet.
ter, and will it not be very expensive ?"
Clarke-"In my opinion a convention
will be very much better, and it need
not be expensive at all. 1t will be com
posed of entirely different men, who
would be actuated by entirely different
motives and subject to entirely different
influences. A convention would com
mand the best and most capable men in
the State. Men who would not serve in
the Legislature under any circumstances,
would willingly give their services to a
convention, if their actual expenses were
provided. Framing a fundamental law
is an Office of distinction and great
honor, and the less the pay the more
patriotic and honorable the service.
These considerations would influence the
best men, and the absence of compensa-
tion would deter the worst"
The General has the idea exactly. The
Constitutional Convention need not COM
prise more than ten or fifteen members;
who, if need be, however, can be paid
handsomely for their services, and still
their work will, in the outcome, be very
cheap.
In speaking of the immediate pressing
need of retrenchment in our State and
county expenses, which can be accom-
plished only by constitutional revision,
Gen. Clark says:
Speaking in general terms, it is un-
suited to our condition and expensive;
oppressively SO. We have too many
State officers and too high salaries. The
offices should be consolidated and salar-
les reduced, and officers compelled to
perform official duties or pay their W
deputies. There is no sense in electing a
man to an office and hiring somebody
else to do the work. In the executive
department alone we could safely dis
pens with three officials and economic
in salaries and incidentals more than
$40, 900 a year. Our judicial system
should be completely revised. There is
not the slightest necessity for seven Dis
trict Judges in this State. Three would
be ample to properly transact all the
business and subserve the convenience of
litigants. Judge Sawyer tries a great
many more cases than all our Judges
combined. His jurisdiction covers three
States, and he travels from Portland,
Oregon, to Carson, Nevada. But per-
haps the worst feature of our State gov
eminent is the Legislature. 1t meets too
often and has too many members. The
people need little of the kind of legisla-
ton they get, and half as many members
would be quite sufficient. Take Storey
county for example. She now has thir-
teen members of the Legislature. In my
opinion, six would do as well, indeed
better, for, by reducing the number of
members. you increase the Importance
and dignity of the office and secure bet
ter men. The system of county govern
ment is bad and most burdensome. We
have no need Of fourteen county organ
i~zations for a population of less than
60, 600 people. Counties should be con-
solidated, offices abolished and fees and
salaries reduced. By so doing we could
lessen the burden Of taxation and reduce
our annual expenditures many thousands
of dollars without hurting anybody but