Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-10-03
A Popularity of the Coming Election
Not Very Often Met With in
Political Campaigns.
no HUSTLING FOR ONE POSITION.
The Places of Delegates to Constitutional
Convention Go Begging in Alle-
gheny County.
CAMPBELL CALLED DOWN ONCE MORE.
A Number Of LEGAL Democrats Who KNOW Of No
StraightOut Movement

The people of Pittsburg, regardless of
party, have little or no information bearing
on the proposed Constitutional Convention
in Pennsylvania. Many of the local poll
ticians who watch with marked interest the
movement of their own and opposing
parties, were unable Yesterday to give
| ont even 4 remote idea of what prepara-
tions, if any, were being made for such an
assembly.
This morning the Democratic County
Committee will meet to arrange for prima-
ries TO elect delegates to the proposed con-
vcntion. The primaries will likely be held
week later. On Saturday, October TO-
the Republican County Committee viii
meet for the same purpose. Their pri-
maries will likely be held on October Il.
The delegates nominated, in addition to the
81 delegates at large, will be voted for at
the general election, when the electors, at
the same time, will determine by their votes
whether q Constitutional Convention will
be held.
NO CANDIDATES YET ANNOUNCED.
No candidates have as vet been an
houhNNO III III
county. The lack of interest in the pro-
posed convention is construed by those who
would otherwise be ambitious for seat in
the proposed gathering to mean that no con-
vention will be held, and through lack of
interest the people have not familiarized
themselves either with the law on the sub
iect, the number of delegates contemplated,
the method of their selection, or the
work proposed for them. Lawyers and
politicians were alike in their unconcern on
the subject. They are not willing to talk
one way or another, and seem to take it for
granted that no convention will be held.
The act of Assembly providing for the
election of delegates to the Constitutional
Convention proposes that the convention
shall be composed of la members. of this
number % are to be chosen as delegates at
large. For the delegates at large the cleo
tor shall vote for IS. The Republican and
Democratic parties have already each nomi-
mated IL candi 1atcs. The majority party
will in all probability elect their IS candi-
dates, and the nine candidates of the mir
ority party receiving the highest number of
to make up the % delegates.
HOW THE OTHERS ARE chosen.
The other 80 delegates must be chosen
from the &c Senatorial districts of the State,
giyin- each district thr,c delegates. Each
Of the two old parties has or will nominate
two candidates in each district, and the
three candidate; receiving the highest
number of votes will be declared elected.
The uncertainty in the political affairs of
The State has a tendency to make both
parties trifle shy of the proposed conven.
ton. The Democrats allege they want the
convention of the ballot system if the
State only is changed, while Republicans
contend that if a convention is held other
changes in the instrument will be made
''The people in our county are giving the
Constitutional Convention matter no atten
ton, " said Police Judge Gripp, Chairman
of the Republican County Committee yes
terday. "We have about concluded that
there will be no convention, he went on.
IN FAvOR OF A CONVENTION.
Chairman Bremen, of the Democratic
County Committee. is strongly in favor of
Constitutional Convention, but he is not
sanguin" that one will be held. at must
be admitted Mr. Bremen said, 'that there
i little or no interest manifested in the
proposed convention, but it strikes me as
being OF vital importance to the State of
Pennsylvania Our ballot system demands
some changes. There should be q system of
personal registration in large cities. and
the system now in Bse in the country should
he changed and amended Another and
more important reason why convention
should he held is the necessity Of having a
State Constitution that will enforce itself"
'Is not legislation necessary to enforce
anv constitution ." was asked.
"Probably But why not so frame
constitution that will enforce itself?" Mr..
Bremen replied.
"That is a new idea in constitution
making, is it not 80
POSSIBLY. But many of our good ideas
are new ones. For instance" p" Mr.. Bremen
went on, "what is the good of the instru-
ment known as the Constitution if legisla-
tion is necessary 10 enforce it and the
Legislature ncglects or refuses to enact that
legislation . That is Just where we stand
in PiUtsburg. Let us have a constitutional
convention and have a constitution that will
enforce ITSELF