The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1890-03-07
Girard Herald, { Kansas:
A SUGGESTION.

A majority of our people are right
ly dissatisfied with the insufficient
protection which their interests are
receiving, and with the inequality in
the distribution of the privileges and
and benefits of our institutions. One
quarter of our voting population are
already demanding such legislation
as can only be accorded after a
change in our constitution. The
rapidity with which the number max
ing these demands is increasing, indi-
Gates not only that their demands
will be heard, but that they will be
effective. We are going to have
remedial measures. The longer de-
layed the more radical they will be.
There is little to expect from the
present Congress. The skirmishing
in the House the past two months
has attracted public attention from
more important matters. There is
strategy in their maneuvering for
position. So for two months they
have been "fghting like fiends for
conciliation, and worked hard doing
nothing of any Importance. The
present Congress will not willingly
assist in bringing about the reforms
the people demand, norris it probable
that the Senate of the next one would
be more favorable. 1t is folly to ask
Congress to assist in anything in
which they have no sympathy.
There are many valuable suggestions
for corrective measures under discus
sion, but there is no proposition as
yet for method by which the best
may be selected and put in operation.
1t is generally conceded that the con-
ditions and restrictions that were
ample a hundred years ago, have be-
come futile in the multiplied facilities
andgrasping ambitions that are the
companions of our present civiliza-
ton. The safeguards of our liberties
must have an armament OF large
callbre and longer range to stay the
encroachments of an enlightened
barbarism. The environment of law
must be made to conform to the new
environment of facts If we will re-
tain for the mass of our people an
opportunity for the enjoyment of all
the privileges which our institutions,
have promised. Our constitution,
whose wisdom we may appreciate,
offers two channels by which the pre-
liminary work for a revising assembly
may be set in motion. Article ' pro-
vides that constitutional conven-
ton shall be called whenever two
thirds of both Houses of Congress
shall deem it necessary, or when ap-
plication shall be made by the legisla-
lures of two-thirds of the ~tates. We
have AZ states and the legislatures
of 80 of them can be controlled by
the Alliance and their co-laborers.
Twelve of these met this season
and thirty-six NEXT six ANIMALS.
The Alliance demands that the Sena-
tors be elected by the people, and
they will be ready to make other
specific demands by the time q con-
vention can be convened. Somebody
must take the lead, and rather than
wait longer for q move to be started
elsewhere, the farmers of Crawford
county, who in sagacity, indepen-
dence: and integrity of purpose are
the peers of any, may as well take
the initiative.
3 There is a possibility that ourlegis-
lature will meet in extra session this
year. A proposition will be present.
ed to the County Alliance at next ses-
sion to petition the legislature to
send to Congress a formal applica
ton for constitutional convention.
1t is hoped that this question will be
considered by every sub-alliance that
meets between now and that time;
and the delegates may think OF the
matter before the meeting of the
County Alliance ON the 22d inst. =.