The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-09-16
Shall There be a Constitutional
Convention?

One thing is certain--the Democratic /
party Is not committed to the holding
OF a Constitutional Convention. We
are glad that it is not, because such an
ass embage at this time could do moth
ing for the good of the State which may
not be accomplished as effectually by
the submission of amendments to
to the Constitution as provided in that
instrument.
To admit that changes in the
Constitution are desirable is very
far from admitting that Constitutional
Convention is desirable. The Legisla-
ture may propose any number OF
changes or amendments to the pres
ent Constitution. but they must
be submitted to the people as separate
propositions, and some may be adopted
and others rejected, whereas should
new Constitution be framed it would
be submitted as a whole, and it would
be adopted or rejected as whole.
If 1t be desirable that the people shall
have the greatest liberty of opinion as to
the questions involved in the alleged
defects in the present Constitution, let
such defects be remedied by amendments.
If Constitutional Convention would
remedy such defects it is fair top resume
that Legislature will do so; and if the
people would vote for new Constitution
containing the remedial features which
have been from time to time suggested,
they would vote for amendments to
the present Constitution containing the
same features.
the proposition to hold a Constitu-
tional Convention is fraught with much
mischief to the State, and this seems TO
| have been the view of the Democratic
Conservative Convention, recently in
session, for though numerous evils in
the present Constitution had been often
complained of, it preferred to suggest
thai such changes as it thought to be
vital to the interests of the State, should
be made b. amendment
The following article from Appleton S
! Annual Cyclopedia is, in our opinion,
an unanswerable argument against a
Constitutional Convention:
Mississippi. The Constitution OF
this State was adopted in 1869, while
military rule prevailed. 1t is the only
one of the Constitutions adopted at that
period in the Southern States which has
thus far remained unchanged. The
question of holding Constitutional Con
vention has of late been often presented
| Among the reasons urged in favor OF
such Convention, it is said that the pres
ent Constitution was written and ea
acted by alien enemies, and the true
people of the State had no voice in its
formation the basis of representation
in the Legislature is very unequal and
unjust; it provides that indictments foi
penal offenses may be found in any
county other than that in which the
ofense was committed; the judiciary
system should be remodeled the Judges
should hold their term of Office fol
four years, and should be elected by the
| people, tue OlTCuiL courts SHOulU
be vested with equity jurisdiction
the system of registration should he
abolished the Legislature should have q
a supervisory power over railroad cor
porations, savings banks, and insurance
companies, by which the people could
be protected from their fraud and op
pressions; all supernumerary offices
such as chancellors, registrars, anC
county uperintendents of education
should be abolished, and the duties Of
the latter devolved upon the Probate
Judge; elections should be held ever,
two and four years political elections
every two years, judicial and ministerial
every four years.; all special legislator
should prohibited; and any county oil
city or town forbidden to vote aid tc
any railroad or corporation, upon the
well-recognized doctrine that the major
ity have no right to tax the minority
except for the legitimate expenses Of
government.