St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-03-30
OPINIONS OF DEMOCRATS
On the Sioux Falls Constitution Gen.
orally Favor New Deal.
OBJECTIONS TO THE OLD
Are Numerous, and Some OF Them Are
Indicated in Inter-
views.
Special to the Globe.

Special to the Globe.
DEADwooD, S. D., March 29.-What-
ever may be the character of the con-
test for the state offices in South Da-
kota this fall, it is certain that the
Democrats will have but little part in
electing the ones who shall fill them.
1t, by any chance, Democrat should
step in. it will only be through some
division in the Republican ranks, OF OH
account of the unpopularity Of certain
candidates. With the election which
comes off in May, to choose constitu-
ton, it is entirely different. Here every
voter will stand on an equality, and
votes, whether Democratic or Republi-
can, will count in the scale for or against
the Sioux Falls constitution. Owing to
the difference of opinion in the Repub-
lican party on this question, it will be
OF interest to know Just
HOW THE DEMOCRATS
of the territory are going to vote, for
probably the result of that election will
be determined by them. This will be
true if the vote of the party should be
at all unanimous in its policy, which is
not likely to happen. l have inter-
viewed most OF our prominent Demo-
cratic attorneys with view to finding
out how they stand on this question and
their reasons therefor, and give in
brief each ones opinion. 1t may prob
ably give some idea of the WaV the
Democratic vote of this section will
stand:
Judge w. c. Kingsley-I am in favor
of leaving the constitutional conven-
ton free to submit that (the Sioux Falls)
or any other constitution they may see
fit. l haven't sufficiently examined the
Sioux Falls constitution to criticiSe it
now, only with reference to compensa-
ton provided for judicial off GERS.
Col. w. r. Steele-As we are to have
a new constitutional conventional think
it would be better to allow them to sub
nit new one. 1t seems idle to have
convention to submit a constitution
twice liz one year.
W. L. Mclaughlin (eX-District Attor-
ney)-I am in favor of new constitu-
ton, and both parties should be repre-
sented in the convention that frames it,
as was not the case in the old one.
Judge Daniel MeLaughlin-The con-
stitution of the United States, includ-
ing the amendments, only contains fif-
teen pages; the Sioux Falls constitu-
ton contains fifty-four. 1t is too long,
and might be boiled down to one-fourth
its size. Instead of being a document
containing fundamental principles, it
legislates for the people, and takes away
from them powers that properly belong
to them. There were great many able
men in that conventions; nevertheless,
l think it should have new deal.
Judge G. Nj. ThOmas-I have not had
time to study the Sioux Falls constitu-
ton, and am not prepared to criticise it.
The only objection to it that l know of
at present is its compensation for judi
cial officers, which, think. is too small.
regard it as mistake that the consti-
tuition does not provide that the legisla-
ture may increase the compensation.
Still, dc not know whether another
convention would make better consti-
tuition. 1t could not make one there
would be no objections to.
Hon. John r. Wilson, am in favor
Of new constitutional convention"
Henry Frawley, Esq.-I am in favor
of new constitution; in favor of local
option and high license. and against
prohibition. think that the question
of pay for the judiciary should be left
to the legislature. E.