Wichita eagle., 1889-11-17
A TALK TO REPUBLICANS.
Resubmission or a New Constitution
Which?

WICHITA, Kan, Nov. 16, 1889.
To the Editor of the Eagle
There are one or two matters which,
as Republicans of this city, we ought to
keep in mind at the meeting called for
Monday evening.
First-In order to secure any sort of
change in the constitution of the state,
either by direct amendment or through
constitutional convention, the prelim-
mary concurrence of two-thirds of both
houses of the legislature is absolutely
necessary.
Second-From the known sentiments
of many members of the present leglsla-
ture, it is not probable that twO-thirds OF
both houses would vote to resubmit the
prohibitory amendment, even if the leg
islature were called together.
Third-It is probable that two-thirds
OF both houses would favor the PROPOSE
ton for calling constitutional conven-
ton. The~senate was largely in favor of
the proposition last winter and, in my
judgment, there was a clear majority for
it in the house. The vote for 1t in the
house was taken under unfavorable
conditions: but the indications all were
that in full house it would have had a
decided, although not quite two-thirds,
majority. With the added strength
which the proposition has since acquired
it is altogether reasonable to assume that
two-thirds majority would now be
found in its favor.
Fourth that sufficient
showing can be made to justify the gov
error IN calling the legislature at any
time during the next six months, and if
that body should submit a proposition
for constitutional convention, the vote
for or against it would be taken in No
vember of next year. If the vote was
favorable, as there is little doubt it
would be, the legislature which would
meet Immediately after would doubt
less at once pass bill providing for the
election of delegates early in the spring,
and for the meeting of the convention,
say, by the 1st Of May. Allowing the
convention sixty days for elaboration,
the result Of its labors could be fully pro-
mulgated in July or August, and could
be voted upon by the people at date to
be fixed by the convention itself. In this
way it would be possible to secure new
constitution for the State of Kansas in
less than two years from this present
time.
Fifth.-If my belief is correct that a
two-thirds vote could not be obtained in
the present legislature upon a PROPOSE
ton to resubmit the prohibitory amend
ment, then one year hence will be the
earliest date at which the necessary legis-
lative action can be had preliminary to
submitting the question to popular vote;
and then, by the very terms of Section 1,
Article IA. of the constitution (as
practically construed during the
last fifteen years. the proposition so sub
mitted could not be voted on by the peo-
pie until the time for the ''next election
for representatives" which would not be
until November, 1892-three years from
the present time.
SiXth-It will thus be seen that, on
the assumption that the present legis-
lature should be called together during
the next six months, the constitutional
proposition has, in point
of time at least, one whole year in Its
favor.
Aside from these considerations, there
are many reasons why it would be sound
policy for the Republicans of Wichita to
range themselves under the same banner
with other Republicans of the state who
are earnestly striving to bring about
long and urgently needed revision OF the
The chances of securing a special ses-
sion of the legislature for this purpose
are vastly stronger than of securing a
special session for resubmisSion alone;
and. if such special session were call
ed, the chances of passing constitution
al convention resolution would be infin-
tely greater than of passing resubmis-
sion proposition pure and simple.
A constitutional convention will bring |
about fair and square vote on prohibi
ion in every county of the state where |
my issue is made vpon it-frst. in the |
2 choice of delegates; and second. in the
inal vote to ratify the action of the con-
7ention, at which time provision would |
doubtless be made for a separate vote |
lpon the section relating TO prohibition,
f any such section were then proposed.
There could be no valid argument
against such a separate vote by the peo-
Die, and the popular demand for such
yote would of course be carried out by
he delegates elected by the people.
The advantages of this course at this
NICE enlist under our banner influential
tepuDllCdlS III oil pdIto VI
he state; we immensely increase
he chance of securing final hearing
lpon the subject uppermost in the popu
ar mind at the earliest possible day: we
void antagonizing many men whose OPP
position it is at least the part of wisdom
o avoid, and we render it possible to
preserve the unity of the Republican
,arty in both state and county.
If the Republican business men Of this
ity send forth a ringing address upon
his subject, supplemented by active
work i'll other lines, my belief is that in
ide of three months the demand for a
convention will be heard
rom one end Of the state to the other.
Already Leavenworth Republicans have
ormed constitutional convention club:
hat influential journal the TT. Scott
Ionitor, has flung the banner to the
reeze, and thousand voices are begin
ing to re-echo the sentiment throughout
he observation-disclosures Republ leans I.
ID off III This matter in their platform IN
$50; the EAGLE has advocated it forf'
lany wears. and it should be a matter of
ride that after years of consistent ac-
ion on our part the Republican party of
he whole state is now practically ready
D 60 with US to the fountain head Of all
Official power and pave the way for the
overeign people to draft anew their
law.
So far as the underlying element in
he current discussion is concerned, it
as always been difficult for me to un-
erstand why conscientious men, who
dhere TO the American principle of self
overnment, should differ upon it. /
ave talked with men of all shades of