The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-03-10
Objections TO a Constitutional Con-
vention.


OF all the objections raised against
the holding of a Constitutional Con-
yention, that which imputes selfish or
improper motives to the advocates of
such a Conventions entitled to the least
consideration. Whether Constitution
al Convention shall be held is a ques
ton v hich should be determined in the
interest of the public, and it cannot be
answered By insinuations against those
who favor or those who oppose, any
more than it can be answered by taking
into consideration the effect which
Convention might have on the interests
of individuals
That amendments TO the present Con-
stitution are needed is admitted on all
sides. We believe that we could safely
offer premium TO the man in public
life who would say that the present
Constitution is what Constitution for
Mississippi ought TO be. All the dis
custom on the subject has not devel-
oped snsh an opinion in auy respectable
quarter so far as we have heard. If
such an opinion prevails anywhere let it
be known.
But it is said that while amendments
to the present Constitution are needed
they can be had by submission OF
them to the people, and this we conceive
to be the strongest objection yet inter.
posed to the proposition to have the
present Constitution remodeled by 6
Convention.
In answer to this objection it is suffi
Gent to say that no amendment can b
submitted to the people unless it ha4
been adopted by two-thirds of eacl
branch of the Legislature. Two-third
of the House and a majority of tn
Senate will not do, and two-third
of tie Senate and a majority of til
House will not do. Two thirds of tn
House and two-thirds Of the Senat
must adopt the amendment. OF til
120 members of the House, 100 Nigh
vote to adopt an amendment, and ,
members of the Senate might defeat il
1t follows, that as long as fl members G
the House, or 90 members of the Senat
f oppose amending the Constitution, n
amendment can be submitted to tn
= people, For all time to come a majorit
of both branches of the Legislature, an
2 an overwhelming majority of either ma
, be in favor of amending the Constitl
, ton; but so long as one more than on
third of either branch opposes. thel
= can be no amendment.
o Mr.. Tilden, the Democratic sag
q about the time that he was candida
r for President Of the United States, e.
\ pressed the opinion that the Demoera
Q could not hope to succeed in a Nations
y election unless they had two-thirds
l. the voters on their side at the con
n mencement of the canvass, because Il
g influence of the Republican party /
e virtue of its being in control of Il
l. Government, with a determination
J. hold it. would be sufficient to quiet Il
patriotic impulses of millions of voters
!. The advocates of q Constitution
" Convention have the same kind of i
:, huence to contend with, in the oppo
Y ton of all those who fear that, in son
al way, their private interests will be i
lie juriously affected by the holding of
lie Convention. Whether this influence
a strong enough to quiet the patriot
,r impulses of one-third OF the Democra
D. of Mississippi We do not know; but '
l. do know that it is powerful beyond t
is imaginings of the casual observer.
10 We appeal to the members OF t
y present Legislature, who honestly belle
d that the State needs better Constit
.e ton, not to be frightened, imporrun'
E. or cajoled into an abandonment of the
d convictions.