Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-04-07
FLORIDA's COMING CONVENTION
suggestions Concerning the Proposed
New Constitution for FLORIDA

| Suggestions Concerning the Proposed
New Constitution for Florida.
O'BREN, FLA, April go the Editor
| of the Morning NelgS-~SIR: 1t is sincerely
to'be hoped by all goo d citizens of Florida
that the coming Cor stilutional Conven-
ton will be cOmpos ID of representative
citizens who Will have the best interests
of the State at heart rather than ideas Of
partisan or personal advancement, and
that the result of their deliberations will
be a State document which all citizens
can heartily indcrse.
The preparing, modifying or entirely
changing Of a State constitution is not
only very i'm portant matter, but some
thing that must be handled and disposed
of with the greatest caution. Too much
care, thought and research cannot be put
on such an Instrument, and a hasty move,
an unIntelll gent act. or an ATTEMPT to ac-
compilsh purely personal or partisan ends
may seriously injure a State and retard
its progress. Every State, and especially
far Western and extreme Southern
states, l take for granted, desire
and aim 10 encourage immigration. New
corners who wish to become good citizens
and to assist in the uDbuilding of a State
4 should always receive a hearty welcome.
/ The Southern States seem to encourage
immigration, and certainly they need it.
At the present time, as know from per
sOnal knowledge and observation, the
eyes OF thousands of NOrtherners are
Z upon Florida, and many are coming to
seek homes and fortunes in this and ad-
joining states. Many who have been in
the habit Of winterng south have seen
I and realized the many natural advantages
I here, and have either settled mere or are
preparing to do so.
One Of the essential features, and one
I necessary to encourage newcomers to
locate in State, is far treatment aud re-
spect for their religious and political
ideas. Whatever may be a mans politi-
cal or religious ideas, he should be per-
mitted to exercise them without subject
| ing himself to dersOn and c0ntumtly as
| long as they are within the bounds of law
and decency. Nor should a party in
power exercise that power to the
injury or weakening of such thing as
State constitution. Personal and partisan
feelings and ends should not, and feel
sure will not, he exhibited or attempted
in the coming Florida convention, for the
/ objects Of the proposed constitution are
far above petty party desires and personal
/ designs. In such affairs Of state a class
in the minority is always entitled to re-
/ spectiul treatment and fair shOWing-a
TACT That is never overlooked by delib-
erative body governed by honesty aud in
telligence. Citizens of Florida, 1 am led
TO believe, have no desire nor intention to
take any risks of injurng and gripping
their state by allowing partsans to eXer-
else any influence in framing the new
constitution. They desire that the on
ganic law should give to all citizens alik
Justice and a fair show. One suggestion. |
which strikes me as oppOrtune. / Won ID
like 10 make in reference to a new cons ti-
tuition. | see by the present constitution
that a newcomer must reside here tive I've |
months before he becomes "A citizen. |
presume this law was promulgated as
much reach that former nuisance uud
injustice, carpetbagism, as anything else.
But, now that that ism has become tling
Of the past, would tnOt be a wise thing TO
allow a newcomer TO become a citizen i'm
six months, as he does in a large number
OF States where immigration Is eiAcour-
aged! II he has cO1e TO stay Win us he
will certainly make as good citizen in
that time as he will in year. be be Dem |
Ocrat. Republican, Independent on Green /
hacker. / would like TO see this question |
Of citizenship brought up and discussed |
by the press and people Of the /
State along with other desired and needed +
improvements 90 be proposed for the COM
ing constitution.
Let an INTEL gertktowleage and appre- /
ciatlon Of me needs, expectations and de- |
mauds Of the state ana its best interests /
govern ms constitution makers, ard then |
the constitution will be q success.
HRALC.