The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1888-01-19
A Constitutional Convention.

n constitutional convention.
The agitation Of this subject has
been renewed since the assembling Of
the Legislature, and it is hoped and
believed that there will be found q
majority in both branches favorable
to the submission of the question to
the people. There is no question but
that many important changes should
be made in our present organic law,
which can be best and most speedily
effected by a convention called espec-
tally for that purpose.
j. There should be greater limita-
tons thrown around the elective
franchise. No person, of any race OF
color, should be allowed to vote who
cannot show his poll tax receipt. 1t
might also be we'll to place moder-
ate educational qualification on the
ballot. to take effect within a stipula-
ted time, say or 10 years. This
would work the solution of the per-
picking race problem in politics, and
obviate the necessity for such heroic
methods as were resorted to in the
late Jackson election.
2. Make the Governor Ineligible
for two consecutive terms, thus re
moving temptation to abuse of the
appointive power, and divorcing the
Executive and Judiciary, without
going to the other and worse extreme
of having the judicial ermine dragged
into the filth and mire of partisan
politics.
8. Abolish the office of Lieut.. Gov
ernor in toto.
4. Forever prohibit the convict
leasing system, which has been very
id spot on the fair name of the
State.
5. Likewise forever prohibit the
sale of all alcoholic liquors as a
beverage.
6. Take away the exclusive right of
Communication and pardon from the
Governor, and vest it in a Board of
Pardons.
Z. Prohibit the voting of the credit
of counties and towns to private
corporations, as well as of the State.
8. Make the language plain and
taxing the property of
corporations organized for pecuniary
gain and profit, without exception,
the same as of individuals.
8. Elect county as well as State
officials for four years, and make
sheriffs and tax-collectors Ineligible
az their own successors.
10. A blending of the courts of law
and equity.
These seem to us some of the most
important changes needed in our
present Constitution, and con-
stitutional convention would be the
quickest and surest way of effecting
them. The cost of IA convention would
be as nothing compared to the bene-
fits to be derived. Indeed, it has
been we'll argued that the present
condition of the States
finances would be an additional incen-
tive to the trainers of new Constitu-
ton to lop off all offices and gov
ernmental machinery not absolutely
necessary.
Let us have a Constitutional Con-
ventiOn by all means.
p. S.-Since the above was put in
type the Legislature has passed bill
by an overwhelming majority in both
branches, providing for the calling of
a Constitutional Convention. The bill
provides that an election shall be held
on August 7th next. when delegates to
a convention shall be elected, and at
the same time the ballots shall have
ON them "fOr" or "against cOnven-,
ton" If the majority of the votes
cast are for convention the delegates
elect shall assemble in this city on the
ith day of September next.