Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-10-18
THE CONVENTION ISSUE.

A correspondent writes THE DISPATCH
to take exception to its articles on the
Constitutional Convention. He says:
! If the public were to form their opinion on
the necessity OF a Constitutional Convention
| by the character of such as the enclosed edi-
torials there never would be any change or
| progress in government or laws to meet the
demands of advancing civilization. The
great masses of the people do demand a
change in the Constitution of this State to
protect them from corporations and poltl-
| cal bosses, but the bosses and monopolies DO
not want a convention and well do the
great industrial classes know it,
To this it is easy to reply that progress,
or even change, is not at all blocked by
voting down the Constitutional Conven-
ton. On the contrary, intelligent prog
resS will be certainly secured by submit
ting whatever alterations are desired in
the Constitution separately and letting the
people decide each on its own merits, in
stead of voting to accept or reject the
whole in lump. Furthermore, our cor
respondent should reflect that there will
be no real progress m constant tinkerlng
at the fundamental law, such as is in
voIved in calling Constitutional Conven-
ton within seventeen years of the last one,
and before its proviSionSahave all been put
into enforcement
As to the assertion that the people want
a convention and the moppolies do not,
that is mere assertion. Fhe people Will
have an opportunity to express their
wishes two weeks from next Tuesday,
when the accuracy of our friends rather
dogmatic assertion will be tested. As to
the corporations and politicians, it is true
some of them profess to be opposed to the
convention But that is not the most in
fallibie sign of their real purposes. 1t
is certain that some of the most
effective restraints to these classes are
found in the present Constitution, if it was
enforced Our correspondent may not
know that complete remedy for corpor-
ate abuses, and very strict restraints OF mu-
nicipal politicians in the management OF
public funds, exist in the existing Consh-
tuition. Some have been nullifed by the re-
fusal Of the Legislature to pass the enfOrc-
ing laws, and some are exceedingly lncon-
vement restraints on these classes at pres
ent. The convention as organized furnishes
avery practicable method for the politicians
and corporations to get rid both of present
restraints and OF the possibility of future
enforcement Of the others. 1t does not
furnish a good method for intelligently
amending any provision in the interest of
the people.
In this connection it is pertinent to no.
tee the news from Harrisburg that the
Republican managers are sending out Or
ders for the support of the convention.
The alliance between these managers
and the corporations is close and notori-
Gus. The interests of both can be greatly
advanced by mutilating the Constitution
in their interest. There is more likelihood
OF foundation for this report than for the
assumption that they are injuring the
chances of their own advantage by the
emasculatiOn of the characteristic pro-
visions of the Constitution of 1874
But their movement is too late. The
public mind on that question is already
made up 1t is clearly understood that the
popular interest lies in the maintenance
and enforcement of the present Constitu-
ton and not in opening the doors.for tink-
eriDg with and weakening it.