The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1886-02-26
Constitutional Convention.
srELcn OF SENATOR KEMP, or MARSHALL,
or TIE BILL PE0viDIS0 Fog A Con-
sriTuTIoNAL CONVENTION, DELIVERED
FEBRUARY 23D, 1886.

FRBnUARY 23D, 1886.
Mr.. PREsfDEST ! Is not my purpos,
10 discuss the various provisions Of tbs
prenent Constitution Of tie State Of Mia.is
sippi, that IRE objectionable TO the gtea
10 = 81 ihs psovie. Isis hes l,e~'i don
~ lug tie debate IN far ADLER inanne
iasn could hops o de. ! have islenes
~ this dit1aNion Al rfigely, 40 ffon
tie areutaenls0 ~ ilietf sfafs who oppoel
Canslsuliauai frnvsufi0ii, | haanl
thar there afe mann objectionable feature
u our C1nsiiiniian 4 hold IL my hani
Volume 81 Appiel0n's Cycl0fesiia. iron
which deeife, with che teaats's tefiniy
sion, 70 read an extract which condensei
and cpiomizas the objections that are
most glaring IN our present Constitution
"Tbe Constitution Of this State wa.
adopted in 1863, while military rule pre-
vailed. II the only one OF the Constitu.
tions adopted ut ,hat period in the South.
ern States which has thus far remained
unchanged"
The ques,ion Of holding Constitutional
Convention has Of late been often pre-
senled Among the reasons urged in favor
Of such Convention, it il said that "lhe
present Constitution was written and
enacted by alien enemies and the true
people OF the State had no voice in its for
nation. The basis OF representation in
the Legislature is very unequal and IN
Just II provides that indictments for
personal odtuses may be found 10 any
county other than that in which the oiiense
was committed. The judiciary system
should be remodeled. The Judges should
hold their term OF office for four years, and
should be elected by the people. The
Gil cult Courtsshould be vested with equity
Jurisdiction. The system Of registration
should be abolished. The Legislature
should have a supervisory power over
railroad corporations, savings banks and
Insurance companies, by which the people
could be protected from their frauds and
expressions. All supernumerary offices,
such rs Chancellors, Registrars and
County Superintendeuts Of Public Ed.
ucation, should be abolished, and the
duties Of the latter devolve upon the
Probate Judge All special legisla-
ton should be prohibited, aud any
county, or city or town forbidden to vote
aid to any railroad or corporation, upon
the well recognized doctrine that the ma.
jority have no right TO tax the minority
except for The legitimate expenses 81 the
government"
Now, Mr.. President, will not comment
upon that which | have Just read ! only
desire TO call the attention Of Senators q
The points enumerated, and yeu can reflect
upon them and elaborate them IN yonf
own minds.
The proposition now pending is very
plain and simple one, The fact that a
change in the fundamental law OF onr
State is demanded by the people, and the
ex,genoies OF the times, is conceded by all.
The only question before us for discussion
D, how shall the change or changes be
eiltoted2 Shall ii be by means of amend,
mepts to the present instrument, or shall
the question of Constitutional Conven.
ton be submitted to the people for discus.
sion2
do not believe, sir, that the desired
end can be attained by means OF Constitu
tional Amendments. Ii thus could be &C.
complished would certainly favor it. II
might be practicable, Mr., President, II
there were but one, or perhaps two, amend
ments to be submitted, but as admit
I'd by the Senator from the Sixth District
il would require six or seven amendment.
in order TO accomplish the end desired, and
| insist lhJt the Submission OF multi.
|plioiy tf amendments, each OF which
would have 20 be voted on separately
would SO confuse the mind Of tht
average voter that there would b,
great risk in adopting this plan. Il
is well known that amendments d
the Constitution are rarely understood
and voted on adyisedly and great coniusio,
would be likely to result therelrom. II
addition TO thie sic, under the provision
OF our Constitution these amendmenu
could not possibly be submitted 10 In,
people sooner than at the election ii 1857
Then, sir il this change cannot be effected
by the means just mentioned, and a chang,
is desirable, ! submit that there is but on,
other mode by which il can be accom-
plished, and in my judgment it is the onl,
feasible plan, to-wit; by means Of Con
stitutiuul Convention. The principal CD
lection urged by the opponents Of thii
measure, is the expense that would b,
incurred in holding a Convention. Thi
objection amounts to but little, and
believe that in the end il would be- ,
measure OF economy, for the changes tina
would be most likely ia I've made weuli
certainly result in a great saving TO thi
State in The abolition Of useless offices, an,
many other measures Of reform an,
economy, will refer Senators to lh'
report Of the committee made to the Legis
lature of 1878, which estimates the expens,
OF Constitutional Convention at ahou
the sum OF S2S,00000, Say that the COS
OF such Convention will be SS0.000.0 90
and still the sum yes, double or treble til,
umouut--woud be saved In very shnr
tune by the reforms have lust alluded 70
| am inclined, SIR 10 favor The amendment
ct the Senator from the 2Sd District, whcl
provides for the submission Il the question
70 the people az the regular election il
Nov mber next By this means no add
lions expense would be Incurred
believe. Mr.. President, that the peopl,
OF Mississippi desire a new Constitution
to ha made BY Themselves through theil
chosen representatives. The present ia
sirureut Is nos the handiw0gk OF the PEG
pie OF Mississippi. twas Nrced upon a.
by the military authority, aud the boea f5
citizens oi ,hls proud commonwealth IA,
NO hand or par, in forming Ii. l. wa
kisted upon us against oar viii and con
sls,, by those who had no sympathy or low,
Ter "a, and i, Is but natural taal il shogl.
be deiysted BY our people.
In all the sisterhooa Of Snthefn States