Nevada County picayune., 1888-05-02
A Peoples Constitution"


 office of governor, said in his speech the other day: II regard the pres ent constitution as the best people s constitution ever made" This is q fair specimen of the logic of asser- tions which is so common among people who do not take the trouble to reason. Now. the Democrat will not deny the indisputable truth that there are many. very many. most excellent features in the present constitution. There are many pro- visions that faithfully guard the rights of the people. and that pro- tcct them in life. person and prop ertv. But while this Is true, it is also fact that there are many, very many, provisions of that con stitution. which cannot he defended. Let us see if. in all respects. it is the best peoples cOnstittitution cv- CT framed" Let us examine it in q few points:
 l. Is that peoples constitu- tion' which makes an exemption from execution for debt of five hun drcd dollars in personal property, and in addition homestead which may embrace l60 acres of land. or in lieu lot in a city of not less than one quarter of an acre of land, re- gardless of value-property which may be worth a hundred thousand dollars:
 ,. Is that a. peoples constitution which gives an exemption to a stout. able bodied young man of two hun dred dollars in addition to his wear ing apparel: What is such an ex- cmption but premium for dishon- esty:
 3. Is that peoples conotitu, ton which makes all these cNemp- tions and yet taxes everything tan gible and intangible, real and un- real" that in the language of our sn' preme court may be the subject of ownership:
 i. Is that peoples constitu' ton" which taxes the last peck Oi meal, the last pound of meat, the scantv bedding of the poor widow and her fatherlcss children: If sucl is the peoples constitution, may God save the people, If there i' one of the distinguished gentlemen offering Tor govepnor who favors this provision we hope he will speak out
 }. Is that peoples constitu ton which fastens on the people ot Arkansas the useless expense of about l20 special elections a year- elections to fill vacancies in county and township otliccs-principally justices of the peace? These have cost the people of Arkansas within the last fourteen years, two hundred thousand dollars. and every ono could have been filled to the satis faction of the people by executive appointment without the cost of |; single dollar If any of the candi dates for governor favor the continu. ance of such thing, will he please make it known?
 6. Is that ''thc best peoples con stitution ever made which compel. a city like Little Rock to elect twen ty-four justices of the peace ever, two years. when there is businesss for only three or four! Is there any sense in requiring justice of tho peace for every 900 electors, espec iallv in towns and cities?
 :. Is that wise provisions of ouI organic law which permits hundreds and thousands of little trivial msde meanor cases, such as Sabbath break ing, simple assaults, pistol carrying etc., to clog the business of the cir cult courts and swell the expenses O the taxpayers! It is true this nigh be done by the legislature, but why was it not incorporated in the consti tuition for it.
 &. Was that wise provision O. our constitution which provides thai there shall be no increase in the mum Der of judges of the supreme cour' till the population of the state shal amount to one million," at the same time failing to make provision fol determining the population!
 9. Was not that fatal defect il our constitution which failed to pro vide for vacancies on the suprem, . bench, caused by temporary disabil ities of judges! There are at this time but two judges on the supreme bench Gone being absent from tho