The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-10-31
YES OR MOI"
BOTH SIOES OF THE CONSTITUTION.
Al CONVENTION QUESTION.

Rssd About It and Decide How You VIII
| vote-Much In Favor and Much Azsinst
Holding Convention ut this Time.
Since our editorial page was written
we have been Wait,d upon by large
number of representative farmers from
over the county, and WHO asked that we
give them our views about voting for a
Constitutional Convention at tho gen-
eral election on November 6. We are
vet to find the first man who favors tho
Convention unless it is submitted to
tho people for acceptance CT rejection,
while others do not see tho necessity OF
it in any event, believing that it will be
better and much cheaper to amend our
old Constitution.
Now there are two sides to this ques.
ton, and will give them to our readers,
and they csn then act on their own
sound judgment. Our present Constitu'
ton was framed by tho Republican par.
| ty, and 1T is out of date, and should cor.
tainly be overhauled and remodelled.
Again, there are certain laws enacted
since 1890, and that should be clinched
| by being engrafted In tho Constitution,
| where they cannot be changed at the
caprice of the Legislature:
But the question arises, can tho State
afford to 20 to tho expense of holding a
Constitutional Convention in tho midst
of the hard times now upon the country?
It will cost at least $1,000 per day to
hold this Convention, which would be q
heavy outlay. Then, again, il now q
proper time to hold Constitutional
Convention and overhaul and remodel
our organic Law? This ID very impor.
| tant and serious matter, for it affects the
| welfare, tho happiness and liberty of
every man, woman and child in our bor.
ders. We can overturn the iDjudlcious
acts of Legislature, but it takes the
voice of a majority of tho people to
change or amend a Constitution. Hence,
| in formulating our organic laws, every
classs, every line of business, and every
interest should be represented In the
| Convention. This Is right and just.
Now, In the heated condition OF the
public mind of South Carolina, can We
guarantee fair representation OF all In.
terests? Most essuredly no. 1t is there.
fore reasonable to suppose that tho new
Constitution, instead of being broad
and statesman like document, would
| represent The views of political faction;
and while We belong to that political fac
ton, we do not intend, and neither do
the farmers of South Carolina intend,
that their political conviction shall oyer
balance every sense OF justice and
right.
But it is also charged that the Ants
are fighting this Consti' utional Corven-
ton, and therefore the Reformers should
do Just what their enemies don't want
them to do. Well, We do not blame the
Ants for this opposition, tor they we'll
know that they will bs practically dis
frauchised from participation IN that
body. But We should occupy broader
and moro statesman-like position whom
we assume to lay the, foundation for all
laws, and not permit partlsanship to in
hueuce US. We do not endorse every
thing tho Reform Administration docs.
for our representatives are no more per-
feet than other men. But with the Same
reasoning cur Reformers could argue that
they should quit the church, and serve
the devil, just because some OF the An
tis were church members.
When South Carolina or any Other
State assumes to change it's organic Law
We should move with doliberatlon aud
Judgment, and see that every citl'
zen's rights and happiness are
guarded and every line of bu,i.
ness protected. Hence representation
IN that Convention should be made up
without regard to political convictions,
even the negroes, who are a part and q
parcel of our population, having their
voice. South Carolina has just passed
through very heated political campaign.
Tho resentments have not as yet had
time to cool do gn. It will take but
spark to bring down on rs another bit
tor campaign, when the people are ask.
ing for peace and quiet. Now In view
of these facts, will it be wise to call
Constitutional ConventionP and would it
not be better to delay matterss Nothing
is hurting. We have lived under our
old Constitution since 1876, and 1t has
answered every purpose. And then, il
is heavy tax on tho farmers of our State
to ask them to pay for $1,000 a day
Convention with six cents cotton. Tia
farmer has q wagon that has served him
for years, and he can still use it, he will
not burn up that wagon and buy a now
one. No; be will have tho tires shrunk;
the defestive parts repaired, aud con.
tinue to use 1t until be can better spare
tho money.
But there is ono serious objection to
this proposed Constitutional Convention
and which will debar us from supporting
it. It Is proposed to frame a Constitu.
ton, submit it to tho Legislature for
ratification and refase to permit tho poo.
ple to vote on Its acceptance or rejec.
ton. Such a proposition is Un-Amerl-
can, Un-Democratic and is q dangerous
precedent. Our Reform Movement
means tho absolute rule of the people,
and when We delegate to 160 mon tho
right to frame such organic laws as they
SEQ proper, and then forbid the people to
pass upon what they have done, We
shal! never endorse such concentration
of power, it matters not what party is
it's author.
Spartanburg has 10000 voters, but
will only have six delegates IN that
Convention. Now We would be willing
for those delegates to frame Constitu-
ton, but are not willing to trust tho right
and tho liberty OF 10000 people blindlY