The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1889-10-05
A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
IYazoo HeraId.l


vention could aid in its settlement il
would be the greatest blessing our
State has ever known. We have the
two races of white and black confront
ing each other, each imbued with race
feeling and prejudice. Ono must gov
ern the other and the entire history of
civilization teaches that such duty can
only be entrusted to the whites. Ig-
norant fanatics or partisan henchmen
may preach different doctrine but all
intelligent men who have been in the
South and viewed the question from
disinterested standpoint have come to
tbs same conclusion. If constitu-
tional convention would regulate the
ballot in such manner as to put at
rest the political phase Of this question
it would do wondrous good for both
races. Since the election of Harrison
there have been apprehensions aud
troubles in various sections Of the
South, and to negro and white they
have been wholly productive Of evil
The Republican party stands ready to
urge the negro to evil, but never as
sisting hm when he is in danger. The
regulation ofthe ballot in a manner to
set this at rest would be the best for
both races.
Another thing: Can a constitutional
convention settle the question OF edu-
cationa The people of the South have
paid millions of dollars In the way of
taxation for the education of the negro.
Has 1t paid them? The Herald does
not object to education but why should
the whites of the South pay for the
education of the negro? Has 1t bene-
fitted the South in any particular
A constitutional convention might
provide for another matter. The prompt
punishment of criminals. As the law
now stands justice of the peace until
the grand jury meets has charge of the
law OF the county. Cannot some
means be devised whereby murderer
or other violator Of the law can be
brought to speedy trial? What wc
need is respect and confidence in the
law, and as the State Alliance conclud-
ed In its recent meeting there should
be changes in the system of petit and
grand jurors. No matter who the
criminal, II is to the interest of society,
of the people, that he be punished, that
justice be administered without delay.
Will constitutional covention ac-
complish these things? We hope 1t
will, at any rate do good. The State
needs a change in many particulars
and when the leading minds of each
county are assembled together 1t will
be a sad commentary ON the ability Of
the State If they do nothing.
There is common recognition by
thinkers, North and South, that the
strain upon the political systems in
Mississippi aud other States with like
environments, necessitating practices
but little less obnoxious than the dan
gers they ward, calls for marked change
In organic law. In the South this re-
cognition is constantly aroused and
quickened by dissension and strife in
Democratic ranks In certain counties.
Conditions should be so modified that
these dissensions unchain no serious
evils, do not at least make perils pos
sible. AS to what a Constitutional
Convention could do, It could at
least remove the clauses It con-
tains prohibitive of suffrage restric-
tion. So that when, IL ever, the
federal power restored to the States
their full and rightful control
over the regulation of this exercise,
there would be no obstacles in the
State Constitution to such restrictions
or enlargements as the tests of time
prove to be for the best interests of
all of Its people. We are far from ad-
mitting that this IS ALL that conven-
tion of the wisesl, purest and brayest
of our leaders could accomplish.
| We believe that the Yazoo Herald
has rightly hit upon the two branches
of legislation most needing such re-
vision as can only be made thorough by
a new constitution; education and
the criminal law. II is claimed as a
credit that Mississippi has the most
liberal school and the cheapest judicial
systems, of all other Southern States.
The boast is of questionable merit.
| As to education applied under the
present system, we are more than
ready to say 1t needs decided change.
Schooling is without defined purpose
or aim, has been made too cheap
and too loose, and has naturally sunk
in the estimation of its proposed bene-
ficiaries. We would not favor with
drawal of State aid to the education OF
the negro but we would extend that
aid IN more guarded channels, limit
and apply IL with study and regard for
the calling and condition of the people
of that race. AS it is we are free to
say that, if it has not "benefitted the
South in any particular or the negro,
all but mere modicum has been
worse than wasted. In remodeling the
laws the idea of generosity toward
the negro, of securing his gratitude by
educational bestowal, should be elimi-
mated and the subject treated solely
with view to its practical utility
Other aims hare proved, and will in
the nature of matters involved, con.
tinue to prove, utterly vain.
=, Next in cost and Importance in the
measures of legislation, is that of the
administration of criminal law. The
practice is, for existing conditions
wholly unsatisfactory and incommen
sarate in results. Trial process |,
too slow and uncertain. What II