Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-04-30
CONSTITUTIONAL REvrxioN.

CONSTITUTIONAL REvIxioN.
The snsers and contempt which were
heaped 50 uniustly upon tho Legisla-
ture of 1889 Will not soon be forgotten.
But many xho INDUCED in them are
getting their eyes fairly opened and
are becoming ashamed of their folly.
The many difficulties, under which any
Legislature labors IN adapting necessary
legislation to the restrictions and pecu-
liarities Of the state constitution, are
becoming daily moro and more apps
rent. That document 10 full of restric-
lions, inconsistencies, antiquities and
an,iquated PROVISIONS. The state has
outgrown it and needs new one.
Representative Bsrkworth. of Jack
son, who is one of tho ablest constitu-
tional lawyers in the Legislature, and
who, as Democrat. was fully per-
suaded at the opening Of this session,
that the Legislature of 1889 had made
itself ian object of contempt" has,
during the four months of his service
At Lansing, become thoroughly con-
vinced of the inadsquacy of the consti-
tuition to meet the exigencies of the
present day. His opinions on the ne
cessity Of revision have been often
quoted by the press, but never quite SO
fully IS in . recent interview published
in the Detroit Evening News.
The last Legislature was severely
criticized for the unconstitutionslity of
many OF Its enactnents and the length
Of its session. As bearing upon both
of these Criticisms We quote the follow
ing from Mr.. Barkworth's interview:
"Thc reasons once existing for many of
its limitations have passed away. and
there 10 really little wonder that We
have many unconstitutional enact
ments, as the most unexpected and ap-
parently unnecessary prohibitions arc
constantly coming to light. Some gen.
eral laws should be enacted whereby
the mass Of local legislation, which
now takes more than half the time of
the Legislature, could be got rid or"
While it is doubtless true, that much
unconstitutional legislation might be
avoided, if constitutional experts were
sent TO the Legislature, and much time
saved if only those who are accustomed
TO long continued mental labor were
made members, yet, IS our Legislatures
are at present made up some constitu-
ti0nal laundering and waste of time
are inevitable. The average farmer,
artisan or merchant is not accustomed
to comparing legislative necessities with
constitutional provisions and keeping
mp that kind of work from sun-up to
shutdown.
Our State constitution is, in the main,
a good one. No violent departure from
its present structure and spirit should
be made, but excrescences can be
pruned, inconsistencies harmonized aud
antiquities removed. Obsolete and
antiquatcd provisions should be dis
placed by modern ones. which shall be
the growth of the sad experiences of
the last few Legislatures. Such work
as that would be of great benefit to the
State. We hope Mr.. Barkworth will
continue the agitation for revision.
Is ANOTHER column will be found an
interesting interview with the author of
the frce-sugar clause of the Mckinley
bill, Hon. James O'Donnell, Of Jack
son. Through his own modesty the
credit for this great and salutary meas
urc in behalf OF the people passed in a
general way to the members Of the Ways
And Means Committee, of which Mr..
Mckinley was chairman, without pro-
test. But the people are indebted,
chiefly, il not altogether, to this tireless
and persistent advocacy of the bill in
troduced by him in January. 1886. lie
fought for the measure IN season and
out of season, whether free coinage or
| appropriations were under cousidera-
ton in the House, and his ball finally
became a law. The people of this State
arc now enjoying the fruit of his indus
try, perseverance and sagscity IN the
lower prices prevailing IN the sugar
market. All Michigan should be proud
OF O. Donnell.
TIE passage OF the Patrons Con.
gressoual appointment bill by unsua
nous vote OF the Senate yesterday, j,
something Of q novelty in that class oil
legislation. An spportIonmcnt bill
tina; pleases everybody must he exceed
ingly far in tie provisions. Let us &C,
what the House will do with il.
JuLrus G. Burrows has hit upon {,
4