Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1885-02-19
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call = Constitutional Convection.
One Of the chief objections to be urged
against the ratification of the present
proposed constitutional amendment, in
regard TO increased representation, is
the manner in which the change is pro-
posed to be made. When the consi-
tuition was first framed aud ratified,
give equal county representation in the
Legislature-each county being allotted
three Senators and seven Representa-
dives. AS an argument to show that
representation according to population
could not have been intended in the
days Of our fathers, stands the fact that
Sussex CSdoty, at that time had popu-
latiQm some three thousand larger than
Nm Castle County, aud two thousand
b1krger than Kent County. Had it been
intended by the trainers of our consti-
tuition that there should be representa-
ton according TO popu!a ion, the dis
parity in population between Sussex
and New Castle was enoagh TO justify
the experiment In III 'se days of con-
stitution making, territorial represents
ton seemed to have been the popular
idea. This is not 10 be wondered at
when We consider that the colonies had
Just emerged trom a monarchical gov
eminent, under Great Britain, where
but the rights of few, and those few
Of the arlstocracy, were specially pro
tected. Those times were also in the
days of slavery, when patterning after
the langu age of Burns, man was
not man Tor a that" Tie popular,
and we believe the true, ida of repre-
sentalio1 according to population was
not put fully ipro force until the late
rebellion struck the shsckles OF slavery
from the limbs of four millions of peo-
pie, held in bondage, and put ballo,s
into their hands ior their protection.
The one thing noticeable about the old
constitution is that II Vas formulate. 4
and brought into existence by the PEG
pie This being the case, then should
not the people themselves change the
constitution
We are aware that IL is assumed thai
the Delaware Legislature has the power
TO chasge, make aud unmake constiu
tons. This plan, 1t seems to us Is onl,
device to take from the people III
power that properly belongs TO them
The constitution of Delaware need
amendment Many things in it hav
become imp7acticable. What was a
frst in that spirit Of the age deemed
liberal document, has in the advance
progress Of the times become illiber,
and oppressive. The legislature, eve
If 1t had the undoubted power 70 amen
or make a new constitution, should nj
attempt to do so. The most talente
and wisest minds 'iu the State We
chseen by the people tn formulate OF
present constitution. Why should n
tho most learned aud talen ed men
the State now be called together in
convention 10 alter, TO amend or
make an entirely new constitution
The Legislature that passed the prese
proposed amendment to its prese
stage, was not a capable body for t
work. The present Legislature, that
called upon 70 ratity what form
Legislature did, is like its predecess
Both were chosen under the whip a
spur Of the parti san lash, and the CT
sequence is that the large majority
the members ART politicians sthsr th
free and unprejudiced legislators.
What then is needed in the pres,
emergency Simply a Constitution
Convention, arranged for by the Les
lature, the n EN- bers Of which are TO
elected by the people as the memb
OF the first Constitutional Convent
were elected. We are pleased 10 81
growing sentiment amongst the req
sentatives Of the State in favor Of
Constitutional Convention and
trict representation. We agree "
DIR. Hugh Martin in the S,ate Sen
and one OF the most talented mem
OF tina, body, that the I.-sis. iture !
sesses a. least doubtful power 70 cha
the representation Of one county y
out cnan -iug that of the other couu
TO the same proportion. Ii ma
from tim" 10 time increase tie re
senta ion from he COUNTIES, but i
not believed thai it has the powe,
alter the or ganic law Of the safe
will.
Only the people who chose repre-
6hves 10 make the organic law sh,
be entrusted With the power 70 ,
representatives 10 a Constitutional
vention 20 change it or make il al
1t looks raas 'raole hat ouly in
manner should important change:
made. The people shoGld not b-
sight of. They are the power
make and unnake goyernmeufs.
the light Of this coastru ,.iCn of
powers Of the Legislature, VIVA, a
tempnoe farce the present prop
amendment appears An impol
change is attempted and the pc
from whom the movement should
emansted have hsd nothing 10 do
Ii. 1t was passed by partisan l..
1ature tha. OVERRIDE the expressed
Of The people of Whining on expr,
At thu Oallot box 1t We GIFTED the
pie OF tina; city with Water Con
sion and a Municipal Cour that
people never asked FIR, never v
ed and do no. wan. them ye'.
Legislature had but li.rle regard
the wishes Of the people. L, tho
more OF creating additional office.
Partisan leaders
That was the Legislature that Il
took Z amend th. Constitution.