Omaha daily bee., 1889-07-13
CONSTITUTION MAKING.

The work of framing constitutions for
the new states is not making very rapid
progress, but in all the conventions the
spirit manifested gives promise that
when the instruments are completed
they will not only meet the require
ment of being 'repu5lican in FORM"
but will be in most respects wisely
adapted to the conditions and needs of
the new commemorative. While polit-
ical ambition has to some extent colored
the proceedings of the conventions, and
there have been evidences of individual
prejudices in proposals. submitted; while
the irrepressible reformer has made
his appearance, and the extremist on
one subject or another has not been
absent, it is gratifying to observe that
none of these influences has thus far
prevailed, and that on the contrary the
conservative, patriotic and prudent
counsels have predominated. There
appears to be very generally among
the members OF these conven-
tions full sense Of the great
responsibility that rests upon them,
and a high purpose to discharge
the obligation wisely and faithfully.
1t is not only necessary that the
constitutions shall be framed so as
to meet the approval OF the presi-
dent, who viii, be the sole judge of their
adequacy, but also that they shall pro-
vide for plan of government under
which capital, enterprise and popula-
tion may safely enter the new states.
One OF the most gratifying promises
is that the constitutions of the new
states will make iudicious provision for
securing pure ballot. There is moth
ing more important than this, and the
fundamental law should clearly define
the means by which the ballot shall be
protected from corrupting methods and
influences, and the will of the
people in all elections be fairly
and honestly expressed. 1t is
OF comparatively little consequence
whether Legislature consist OF one or
two houses, or what the ratio of repre-
sentation shall be, so long US there is a
certainty that dishonest and corrupt
methods cannot be employed to reach
the legislature or any other public
office. Governor Mellette, in counsel
! ing the convention of North Dakota to
make provision for pure ballot, did
not in the least overestimate it's supreme
importance. 1t is apparent that the
new states will be solidly arrayed
against all forms of monopoly. Con-
| stitutional provision will undoubt-
| edly be made in all of them for
| legislation against trusts and like
combinations for controlling products
and restricting competition. The reg
ulatiOn OF railroads is another matter
certain to receive due consideration,
and it is one which will require very
careful treatment. The complete de.
| pendence of the new states for their
development upon railroad communica'
tion requires that the policy regarding
the railroads, while giving adequate
| protection to the interests OF the peo'
| Pile, shall not be OF nature to ex-
cluae capital from this class of
investment in the new states. AS
we have heretofore observed, the
danger that confronts the constitutional
conventions is that they will do too
much, overlooking the constitutions
with matters which can and should be
left 10 legislation. Only that which is
fundamental should be Incorporated in
those instruments. Already numerous
propositions have been submitted which