The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1894-10-31
Eyes OR MOI"
BOTH SIDES OF THE CONSTITUTION
AL CONVENTION QUESTION.

NJ SStNV SN iSiN 10 SSS
Read About It and Decide How You VIII
vote-auch 10 Favor aud Much Against
Holding Convention at this Time.
Since our editorial page was written
we have been Waitsd upon by large
oumber of preventative farmers from
over che county, and who asked that we
give them our views about voting for q
Constitutional Convention at the gen.
era! election on Novembsr 6. We are
vet to find the first man who favors the
Convention unless it is submitted to
the people for acceptance or rejection,
while others do not see the necessity OF
it in any event, believing that 1t will be
better and much cheaper to amsnd our
old Constitution.
NoT there are two sides to this ques.
ton, and will give them to our readers,
aud they c.n then act on their own
sound judgment. Our present Constitu'
ton was framed by the Republican par.
ty, and 1t is out of date, and should cer'
tainly be overhauled and remojelled.
Again, there are certain laws enacted
slnce 1890, and that should be clinched
by being sngrafted in the Constitution,
where they cannot be changed at the
caprice of the Legislature:
But the question arises, can the State
sfford to go to the expense Of holding
Constitutional Convention in the midst
of the hard times now upon the couatry?
It will cost at least $1,000 psr day to
hold this Convention, which would be a
heavy outlay. Then, again, is now a
proper tims to hold q Con stitutional
Convention and overhaul and remodel
our organic lan? Tals Is very imp2r'
!aut and serious matter, for it affects the
welfare, the happiness and liberty OF
every mau, woman and child 10 Dur Dor.
ders. We can cverturn the injudlcious
acts of Legislature, but it takes the
voics of majority CT the people TO
change OF amend a Constitution. Hence,
in formulating our organic laws, every
classs, every line of business, aad every
interest should be represented in the
Convention. This Is right and just.
Now, in the heated condition OF the
public mind of South Caroilns, csu We
guarantee fair representation of all in.
terests? Most assuredly no. It is there
fore reasonable to suppose that the new
Constitution, instead of being broad
and statesnan.like document, would
represent the views of a political faction;
aud 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 Constitutional Co1ven-
tloa, 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 b, practically dis.
'rauchised from participation IN that
body. Eut we should occupy broader
and more statesmsn-like position when
ne assume to lay thelfouadatlon for all
avs, and not permit partlsanshlp to IN.
1ueuce US. We do not endorse every.
hing the Reform Administration dees,
ior our representatives are 20 more per-
;ect than other men. But With the same
eur Reformers could argue that
hey should quit the church, and serve
The devil, just because some of the An.
lis were church members.
When South Carolina or any other
State assumes to change its organic Law
ne should move with deliberation and
and see that every citl-
sen's rights and happiness are
guarded and every line Of bu'i-
ness prokc:ed. Hence representation
q that Convention should be made up
without regard to political convictions
,ven the negroes, who are part and q
parcel of our population, having their
voice. South Carolina has Just passed
trough very heated political campaign.
The resentments have not as yet had
lime to cool do IN. It will take but
spark to bring down on ps another Bit
Ter campaign, when the people are ask
ng for peace and quiet. Now in view
of these facts, will it be wise to call 6
Constitutional Convention? and would it
not be better to delay matters? Nothing
s hurting. We have lived under our
I'D Constitution since 1876. and it hss
every purpose. Aud then, it
8 heavy tax on the farmers of our State
10 ask them to pay for $1,000 day
Convention with six cents cotton. II q
.armer has wagon thst has served him
or years, and he can still use it, he wiz
not burn up that wsgon and buy d new
one. No; he will have the tires shrunk;
he defhstive parts repaired and con-
,inue to use it until be csn better spare
he money.
But there is one serious objection to
his proposed Constitutional Convention
and which will debar Us from supporting
t. It is proposed to frame q Constltu
ion, submit it to the Legislature for
ratification and refase to permit the peo-
ole to vote on it's acceptance or rejec-
ion. Suca proposition is Un-Amer-
IAN, Un-Dsmocratic and is dangerous
precedent. Our Reform Movement
means the absolute rule of the people,
and when We delegate to 160 men the
light to frame such organic laws as they
zee proper, and then forbid the people to
pass upon what they have done, We
shall! never endorse such concentration
Of power, it matters not what party is
ts author.
Spsrtanburg has 10000 voters, but
viii only have six dslegates 10 that
Convention. Now We would be willing
Tor those delegates to frame a Constitu-
ton, but are not willing to trust The right
and the liberty Of 10000 people blindiY
to their keeping. II they are afraid to
let the voters pass upon thelr work after
it is done, then ne are afraid to trust
th.m with such despotic power. We
never before heard OF State adopting a
Constitution without FIRST submitting it
to the people, aud our South Carolina
Reformers cannot afford to set such a
dangerous example.
It is argued that this is necessary lest
N Safao6I ~ SacIraH RI