The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-01-05
Why Not a Constitutional Conyen-
ton?

local questions.
Why Not a Constitutional Conyen-
ton?
The Newark Sunday Call wasted
some breath yesterday in proving that
the Legislature has power to divide
or consolidate counties. 1t argues
with equal truth and force that such
legislation is not private, local or
specialn within the meaning of the
Const tuition, and that the counties
being creatures of the State have no
innate individual life of their own,
such as the States possess despite
their relations to the Federal system.
We agree with every word the CAL
says on the subject, but we confess to
a little wonder as to whenceness of
the argument. We were not aware
that any disputed the power OF the
Legislature in the matter. Indeed,
the point is beyond question, for the
Legislature has actually divided coun
ties in the past, and there never has
been any doubt about the ~propriety
of its action.
If there is any doubt about the va
rious schemes of county reorganiza-
ton now mooted, it is purely on the
ground of party expediency. The
Democracy controls both branches Of
the Legislature and can do as it
pleases. 1t can split up counties and
consolidate others, and change the
whole map of the State If it has a
mind to face the consequences; but,
whatever it does, it must be remem
bered it viii have to show good reason
for its course when it comes before the
people again in an election.
County reorganization may be ac-
counted for in two ways. 1t may be
conducted solely with a view to
manufacture offices for a dominant
party-in other words, in the case OF
New Jersey. to ecure a permanent
majority of Democratic votes in the
Senate;-or the motive may be the
securing OF fair and just representa-
ton for all the people of the State. If
the party were actuated by the lat
ter desire, it would have the approval
of all reasonable people, who are justly
d~ispleased with the present unfair
apportionment of Senators; if the
process be merely one of vote making,
the people are pretty apt to be down
on it, and to show pretty clearly at
the polls what their view is. 1t may
therefore be doubted whether it will
be the part of wisdom TO take up the
representation question in the
spirit which seems to animate
some Democratic leaders. The
consolidation OF two Or three
Republican counties, and the
selection of one comparatively small
county for division have a sort of
partisan flavor that may do harm in
doubtful sections such as Essex suff-
cient to offset all the gain from the
act itself.
There is only one way of dealing
safely with this question, and the safe
way is the broad way. The whole
scheme of representation in the Senate
should be altered. The State should
be laid out in districts without
reference to the county lines, and the
old county organizations should be
left undisturbed as respects county
affairs OF course, this cannot be
done without constitutional changes (;
but the constitution VIGOROUSLY re-
auires amendment in many other re-
spects as we'll.
Why is therenot agreat Democratic
opportunity in this? Why should not
a Constitutional Convention be called
by the coming Legislature? One can
never be called under more favor
able auspices for the State or
for the Democracy. 1t seem to
us that if the Governo 7
and the Legislature and the leaders
OF opinion throughout New Jersey
turn their attention to the matter, the
year may be made memorable in our
annals by a new departure in good
government.