Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1891-05-07
VOLUME XII
THE ADDRESS.
The Convention thus Urges the
People Ia Adept Its Work.
To THE People OF KENTUCKY:

Inc convention 10 hlnenu inc pre-
sent constitution was called, after
twenty years Of agitation, and IN
obedience TO we'll defined popular
demand for REVISION Of your orga-
nc law. As your representatives,
the members of he convention. af-
ter a session of 1877 legislative days,
have prepared AMI now submit the
accompanying instrument. It's not
assumed that it is perfect, nor that
it represents the views OF each mem
Der on evss5 Subject; but after full
discussion and mature deliberation
it is offered as the best judgment Of
the body.
In many portions Of the State
there has been severe criticism OF
the length OF time Consumed in the
preparation OF thus instrument; a
little investigation will show that
some OF these complaints are not
we'll founded asd tina, IN many states
more time has been consumed in
framinl these NEST important OF all
laws. '
The last convention in Illinois sat
l53 daysIn New York line months,
in Ohio 253 day, in Califcrn l6I
days and IT, PeL lsylvania during an
,nt re at q cost 10 that state Of ST.
100000.
The last legislature Of Kentucky,
in framing mere statutory laws, was
IN session 40 days.
Ia dealing with these fundamental
provisions Of government haste
would have been unseemly. and II
was due to the people OF the state
that every delegate on every auss-
ton should have ample time to ex'
press his opinions, and IRON such
discussion to formulate the combined
wisdom and experience OF the entire
body, those great and fundamental
principles essential for the organic
law Of n state such as KENTUCKY.
The experience Of iorty years,
gathered from the unpara lleled
changes in the political and social
life o. this country, rendered many
alterations in and additions to the
cons,i uiion not only important. but
absolutely essential II good govern
ment. Notwithstanding this neces-
sily Cor change and enlarged limita-
tiona Of ~.-.. -.-~->--i ---
powers. close comparison oil tue
present sad proposed constitutions
will show thata very large proper
non If the present constitution pas
SEES into the new one suostshuai'y
unchanged.
The sessions Of the convention
were marked by no partisan political
lines. All such questions wers IN
known and undIscu,sed, and as rep
resen,atiyes Of all the people oil TIT
state. the universal desire was .
frame constitution which woui'
secure the greatest good to inc
creates. number.
Tie first question which confront
ed every delegate vas the lnhioluo
Of ,pecial or local legislation. In
General Assembly oil lsS9-0o So
14g DAYS and pas ed local laws II
GLIDING index, covering 4s9j p'
ges. with cost TO the state IN pm
ing of sl7223 O., AMI IN o'h'r II
spec,s sljl,0l4.s2, The averai
time and cost of the tour preeed'i
le,i,latnres hrl been Tut little be
ter. The universal disopproYa'
every person in KENTUCKY suggest,
sharp and effective remedies Tor u
evils OF such system OF law ma
ing. Outside OF all questions
economy and decentralization OF t
legislature the inequality oil Ia
so passed has produced the gross
wrongs, and the demand Tor chah
on this subject was absolute and u
ycrsal.
in the judgment Of the ielega
this has been thoroughly done IL
isla,iye sessions have been llm''ed
sixty days, and all SPECIAL laws p
hibited, where general laws can .
ern: and on Q large number OF
;ects which concern the gene
good, under the provisions props
special law is rendered imp's y
Something OF this tremendous
will be appreciated when it is s'a
that the tilicial rep 1T OF the au'
shows that in the last zen years
general ssse mbly has been IN ses
$50 days, or nearly enc Fl tn OF
entire period, at an average a
cost Of sl,06S, and that had
general assembly been require
pass only general laws and been
mi.ted to remain in session onl
days, as required ny the prop
constitution, there would have
a saving TO the state in money
during this period the sum oil ,
16i.
d 1t has been required IN the
, constitution that all acts OF inc
ration shall be obtai.cd here
through the courts and under