The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-10-30


that powerful influences have for sew
enteen years successfully delayed their
enforcement. Will we act wisely it we
offer a tempting opportunity for their
repeal3
The advocates of the Convention
tell us that the amendment of the Con-
stltution is necessary to secure "se-
cret ballot" and without it we can new
er have the Australian system. When
the new Constitution was adopted the
provision for numbering ballots was to
be the panacea for all illegal voting.
Now this very provision is said to stand
in the way Of honest election laws.
The unwisdom of Incorporating such
provisions (Which should be left to leg
islativc control in the Constitution
has become apparent. But is the ques-
.tion SO vital as to take it outside the
provisions of the Constitution for its
amendment 1t was quite possible to
substantially adopt the Australian sys-
tenn, notwithstanding the constitutional
provision for numbering ballots. The
''new election law is the work of as
tute politicians. Its evasion of the
best provisions Of the Australian sys-
TEN was not because of constitutional
limitations. The law will not be one
whit better when, under its oMn provis-
ions a constitutional amendment shall
repeal the section relating to num-
bered ballot. The work of the hour is
to create public sentiment which will
elect legislators who will give us new
ballot law with all the essential features
of the Australian system. leaving the
numbered ballot to remain until, by
amendment submitted by the Legisla-
ture, this requirement of the Constitu-
ton can be repealed. A little delay
can work no great harm. This great
old Commonwealth can safely endure
the present Constitution few more
years If we fail to adopt needed re-
forms the fault will not be in our or
ganic law, but in ourselves.
1t is the misfortune of our political
system that mere politicians can seize
upon popular reforms and pervert them
to their own advancement. Desirable
as the Australian system in its best
form may be, there is more demagogism
than craftsmanship in the willingness
Of many Of its advocates to risk the
overthrow of the present Constitution
merely to do away with numbered bal
lots, when the same can be reached by
an amendment expressed in dozen
words.
There are times in the life of every
nation when it is simpler to overthrow
an existing order Of things and to frame
new form of government than to at
tempt by amendment and reform to
patch up the old. The rapid develop
ment of our country and the enormous
advancement in political, social and
practical sciences call for frequent
changes in our laws. But surely the
present Constitution is not so bad as
to be incapable of amendment to meet
all these requirements. | think the
fatal error of the past thirty years has
been to make Constitutions a compen-
dunn Of statutory laws instead of a
mere declaration of fundamental prin-
ciples to secure stability ofgovernment,
to preserve the liberties Of the people,
and to conhne and restrain within safe
limits the general powers of Legisla-
lures. All this has been done on the
plea that the legislative bodies cannot
safely be trusted with power. The
answer is plain; The members of the
Legislature are elected by the same
people who elect delegates to Consti-
tutional Conventions, and if, through
carelessness, they see fit to elect incom-
petent men, it is their own fault, and
not the fault of the government under
which they live Indeed, l think that
many Of the constitutional limitations
on legislative power are reflections on
the whole system of free government.
and tend to embarass legitimate devel-
opment, as well as to encourage cleo
tors to disregard their obligation as
citizens to see that only worthy men
are sent to the Legislature, Every time
agreat reform is proposed we are called
upon to amend the Constitution to give
it trial. A constitution of a great
people should be as sacred as the "sa
cred books of the law" Its provisions,
when once ascertained and defined by
judicial decision, should never be
changed, unless from some overruling
necessity. The people should be taught
to revere it and to look with mistrust
upon every effort to destroy, evade or
change it. In the past history of this
country constitutions were regarded
with great reverence, but, latterly, there
has been so much constitutional tinker
ing that they are no longer the peoples
talismans, and he who now raises con.
stltutional questions is looked upon as
an enemy to the advancement of society
If we are to have a new Constitution
every twenty years in the State OF