The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-10-07

ANVePmOe DlOXh3m Interviewed.
We are pleased to lay before the read
es Of the FLoR1DIAN the subjoined i'm
portant result of an interview with Gov
erpor Bloxham, which meets the most
troublesome point of objection TO q Con
stitutional Convention. Many truly pa
triotic citizens outside of the g Black
Belt counties, as we'll as in them, have
ielt that the danger TO those communities
involved in full electoral privileges consti-
tuted an objection which outweighed all
arguments in favor Of according them,
even though those arguments are backed
BY the foundation principles of democratic
institutions. Now, however, the views
OF the Governor shed such new light
upon the matter as must influence the
opinions of those heretofore opposed to
Constitutional Convention
1--WE notice, Governor, that you are adj
vocating a Constitutional Convention IN
Your speeches. Coming as YOU do from
what is known As the Black Belt,
where many persons seem AFRAID OF the
effect OF electing county officers, We
would be pleased to have your reasons =
zone OF the reasons why | advocate
Constitutional Convention Is, that con-
slider it the salvation of what is termed
the Black Belt Let me explain. Ii a
Convention 10 not called there will neces-
sarily be many amendments offered to the
present Constitution, at the next session
OF the Legislature. One of these, OF
course, will be the election of county OH
cers by the people. 1t is well known that
all the Democrats representing the Dem
ocratic counties desire this change; and
the Republicans from the Republican
counties want it also A there are few,
if any, Democrats from Republican coun-
ties in the Legislature, the necessary re.
suit will be that the amendment to elect
county officers by the people will pass the
Legislature by an almost unanimous
vote Now what will be the result OF
that amendment before the people? All
the Democrats in the Democratic counties
will vote for it, and all the Republicans in
the Republican counties will vote for it
So the only opposition 1t would receive at
/ the polls would be from the Democrats in
! Republican counties The result neces
s4rly would be the adoption of the
amendment. SO, by amendment, which
! believe will come if the people vote
down a call for a Convention, we viii
: have this addition to the Constitution
. made. Knowing this, is it not better tc
: call Convention that may throw around
; the election of county officers some safe
guards: But suppose it does not, W.
] will be IN no worse position than thu
I: amendment will bring-and many othe
: needed changes could be secured by ;
{ convention by which our State could b.
benefited, which could not be secured by
amendment. l certainly hope the Con
}vention will be called, as | consider it
safety to the Black Belt and not a men
ace. There are many other reasons, tor
.;numerous to give, why Convention
iohouli be called. Indeed, importan
.changes in all the departments, Legisla
tive, Executive and Judicial, are required
:in the interest Of economy, and to NOR
Improperly conform the Constitution to tn
requirements of the people and the tru
principles of republican government"