The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-01-01
The Legislature and New Constitution

The Legislature of Maryland will meet
it appears probable that Mr.. Joseph b. Seth,
of Talbot county, will be chosen Speaker of
the House, without opposition, and that Mr..
Edwin Warfield, editor of the Ellicott City,
Howard county, Times, will be elected Presi-
dent of the Senate. Both of these gentlemen
are well qualified by ability and legislative
experience to preside over the respective
houses.
A number of important subjects will come
before the Legislature at the approaching
session, which will demand the most serious
consideration of our lawmakers. One of
these and the most important of all, is the
call for constitutional convention. The
present Constitution, which was adopted in
1857, says:
ut shall be the duty of the General Assem-
bly, to provide, by law, for taking, at the gen
eral election to be held in the year eighteen
hundred and eighty-seven, and every twenty
years thereafter, the sense of the people in
regard to calling a convention for altering
this constitution and if a majority of voters
at such election or elections shall vote for u
Convention, the General Assembly, at its
next session, shall provide by law for the as
sembling of such Convention, and for the
election of Delegates thereto"
While this language seems to be impera-
tive, and fixes the time when the sense of the
people shall be taken, the Bill of Rights de-
clares that the people haye TAT all times, the
inalienable right TO alter, reform or abolish
their form of government" This right was
exercised when the present Constitution was
framed in 1867 The Constitution that pre-
coded it was made in 1864, by the Republican
party. Under its provisions odious iron. clad
test oaths were prescribed to the free. born
citizens of Maryland and the State groaned
under tyranny as despotic as that of Rus
STA. A demand was made by the people in
their sovereign capacity for q restoration of
the rights which had been wrested from
them at the point of the bayonet, and new
constitution was the result.
The Legislature, therefore, may in 1887 or
at any time prior thereto, take the sense of
the people in regard to the matter, if any
grave and important reason exists why u
new constitution should speedily be formed.
M ore than this the coming Legislature should
not do. No one will seriously contend that
the rights or liberties of any citizen are en-
dangered under the present Constitution, aud
therefore there is no necessity for haste in
changing it.
Let the Legislature first ascertain whether
I'm 10 nj a IN hut, h,
fore proceeding any further This is all they
are required or authorized to do. They should
not, by appointing a time for convention,
assume that the people desire new Consti-
tuition.
The present Constitution was most care.
fully drafted by Il body Of men, unequalled
in intellect, wisdom and experience by any
that has assembled at Annapolis since 1867,
and it is extremely doubtful if, in its general
features, the instrument can be improved.
The Constitution itself provides mode by
which any alterations can be made which the
canged condition Of affairs may seem to
make expedient, without the political contu.
sion and expense which the Call for u con-
yention would involve.
Doubtless our Republican friends and Of
fice-seekeIs geEerully will all be eager for Il
convention and 1t new Constitution, which
would vacate ull the offices and necessitaie
an election for every office in the gift OF the
people. But the people themselves, rs Il
general thing, are satisfied with our present
Constitution, and if given time tor reflection
! will oppose the entire abrogaion OF our ex-
ag fundamental law.
tsthe Constitution Of u ate ought
ga sacred Instrument not to
slil the varying and