Daily Republican., 1886-12-31
FRIDAY DEC rn tsrh 81. 1870
Constitutional Reform.

Constitutional Reform.
The report that nov emanates from
e. Young Mems Democratic Club As
their views upon the NEEDED constitu-
tonh reforms OF the State Is q very
different docu ment from that presented
by tie committee week ago for the
consideration OF the clab. The origi.
nal report came from the advanced
wing Of the party represented by Mr..
Lore, Governor-elecs Blggs and stran 70
TO say by the SALISBURY influence.
That report was heartily endorsed by
majority OF the people OF tbs State, bu.
not by the leaders OF the Democratic
party, who through their factions
represent the stronger side at
the present time. 1t was fore
seen by these assute leaders that II
the committees report were to te
adopted and engraftet into an amended
constitution, the people in their SOW
ereigu capacity might strip the self =
constituted leaders OF the Democratic
party Of their pc wer and follow leaders
OF their own choosing. In short 1t
would be giving too much power into
TIE bands OF the people. The amended,
or rather the emasculated report adopt.
I'd on Wednesday evening goes but a
short distance in the direction OF need.
ed reforms. The only change recon-
mendsd In the Judiciary is the appoint.
ment OF an additional resident Judge In
New Castle county, 10 have concurrent
jurisdiction 10 the Superior Court and
70 have voice and vote In the Court
OF Errors and Appeals, and that al!
judges should be retired on q salary at
Q specif Sd age. The Governor would
still be left with the appointing power
and judges would feel as secure 10 their
ofioe rs II appointed for life. Though
the elective system has given the great
est satisfaction In Maryland and Penn
sylvaniA I'm nediately adjoining our
State, Delaware,t by the action OF the
Young Mems Democratic Club, must
still be assigned to back seat.
On the question of district represen-
tation the club completely squtl shes
on! the report OF the com mittee favor
ing 1t and recommends the cumula i've
system OF voting, which would insure
minority representation in ali elective
bodies. Ia the matter Of increased req
resentation the amended report takes
advance ground over the original re-
port. What the committee asked as q
concession the amended report claim ed
rs an inherent night. That is the pro
p spirit in which 20 make the de.
N and, but II the amended report had
so IA farther and demanded all the req.
rten alton 10 which the people are en-.
titled to place them on an equality with
al the people OF the State, 1t would
haze been entitled 10 more sincere re.
spect. The reco II mendAtions made by
the club are an advanced step, nut do
no; come up TO what our me- zhbors In
other States are enjoying. The people
are censured for conde ming the cousti-
tuition which has not been changed Tor
tifty-four year,.
TneIe Is no other s ate In the Union
with a Constitution 70 long in use
without being amended. Tue geople
have right to complain. IL so old
that 1t has ceased 10 be vigorous. L.,
does not protecs the people in their
rights Under 1t voter in Neg
Castle has only little mora than one
third the legislative power OF a voter
In x snt County. The repor. Of the
Young Mems Democrats Clue wou d
reduce this inequality by making Ii
one-half, and this demand Is IN ade as
an inherent right. FIR the h NOR Of
the club 1t did not say this was all he
rights TO which the vo:ers OF Nav
Castle County were emitted. The
amended report is adverse to a Consti-
stitutional Convention, oaG prefers re-
forms coming through tho Legislature
aLt would make tho rati Tying DC wer
two-shirds instead Of three fourths OF
the members OF each Hocse, "a az pres
ant. This would oil b. vel enough
with a reform Legislature elected
by majority Of the people in
stead OF the majority of tho. c
Who are permitted to voe, and which
Is under more obligations u fraud hau
honesty for its election However,
there is no harm IN the YoanR Mems
Democratic Club alopang whs,ovel
measures II proposes, the present Leg.
islature cannot formulate them inc
laws and the mex. Lssis!Asurs may bt
Of very differsn- CON pleAlou, uns
assuredly will be, I th7 psople ar,
given an opportunity v, ,ree tx preston
ht the ballot boxes