Evening journal., 1896-03-28
IA NEW CONSTITUTION.
Monster Mass.meeting Held
at Newark Last Night.
WANT A BIPARTISAN CONVENTION
Men Prominent In tho Affairs OF the
state Warmly Advocated Bi-Partisan
Body Amid the Cheers OF the Assem-
blsge-Oniy Two Dissenting Voices.
Special Correspondence Evening Journal.


blage-oniy Two Dissenting Voices.
Special Correspondence Evening Journal.
NEWARK, March SO The frst action
tsken by the voters Of the state to dis
euss the coming constitutional Conven-
ton to be held next fall, had its concep-
tlOn IN this town lsss night IN 8 mass
meeting, non partisan In les make up
representative citizsns OF all parties being
present-the single tax advocates as
well as sdherents of the two old parties
The meeting was characterized
throughout by great enthusiasm. and was
remarkable for It's unanimity Of opinion (;
one Single Tax speaker and one lone
Republican. DR. Columbus Henry, being
the only ones who expressed themselves
as being in fIvor Of 4 partisan conven-
tion
Rev. James L called tho
meeting TO order. aud nominated Hon.
John PillinR as chairman, who took the
chairs, after thanking the assemblage
for the honor accorded him.
Senator PiniDE Voices His Sentiments.
Mr. Pilllng stated ths Ubject Of the
meeting ss bsing an effort 10 get the
1 opinions Of the people as TO the political
complexion Of the coming constitutional
Convention. 10 part, he said; we
have q chanc, which few people ever
have and which comes 30 a man but once
In his lifetime This is the first and most
important question to be considered, the
reforms needed and the mode Of securing
then come next. For more than sixty
years, we.nRve lived. under our present
constitution, and the necessity Of
change is apparent to everyone
In 1852 the people Of this state were
affiliated upon this same matter much the
same as we are to- dsy, and upon the very
spot where this hall stands, listened to
Hon. James A. Bayard speak in favor of
more equal representation for this
county. Tue Wings opposed this, and
not long after John NJ. Clayton addressed
an opposition meeting held In the Deer
i Park Hotel in this town listened to
him, too. He held that It was impossible
for tbe people 20 change the constitution,
that the door WAS locked and the key
thrown away. A convention was finally
called but not in conformity with the
constitution. and 1t amounted to nothing
The speaker reviewed the events which
led fnslly TO a convention being called
"The non partisan action of the General
/ Assembly was but 3 recommendation
4 4
| for the people to act; the key las
been found, the door has been opened,
aud It remains for the people to say
whether or not the body Of men forming
the convention shall be partisan or non
partisan"
Mr.. Pilling gave his experience as a
legislator Ia dealing with me siorities. he
having invariably been with the minor
ity, and gave as his unalterable opinion
that an equal division OF power would
result In better, wiser more Just con
stitution than would occur should there
be minority one way or
another. He, for one, is not Gfrald
for fifteen good Republican to
meet an equal number Of Democrats,
nor did ne think there were fifteen Dam
ocrais afraid to meet the same number
Of Republicans. 10 this case we could
not only have a non partisan convention,
but also a non partisan constitution, Tor
which we are all striving. The idea Of
deadlock resulting from such a conven-
tion is absurd. all questions would be
viewed dlspasslonateiy, there being no
msiority or minority TO fear q spirit OF
compromise would pervsde, and the con
stituti0n would bs such one as woui d
meet the appreciation OF the people when
presented 60 them for ratifcation
/ Mr.. Pilling's remsrks were Interrupted
/ FREQUENTLY by cheers.
Joseph B Handy was elected as score
tary Of the meeting. and proceeded q
the next speaker BE expressed the
regrets Of his brother, Hon L. Irving
1 Handy, he being unavoidaby absent in
Ohio, delivering a lecture. It will be
impossible for him to present his brother's
D -. L.
that be strongly favored a bi partisan
convention. II Is not a question Of
politics nor for politicians. constitu
tion Is essentially non-political docu-
ment, one for the people and for ali the
people, irrespective Of party. To secure
such a constitution, the convention muot
not psrtske In any manner Of any
political creed. Ali Issues must be looked
at fairly and equally A great many
reforms needed can oalY be accomplished
by compromising, such as a more nearly
equal representation for New Castle
county. The only way, In his opinion TO
accomplish the end 10 view, is to send &
non-partisRn convention to draft the new
constitution.
Rev. James Vailandighem was next
called upon He said that 80 great WAS
his interest upon the suhje ect that he Was
present In spite OF the fact that be has
been indisposed for several days He
expressed himself as strongly and warmly
in favor Of "a non partisan body. He
recommended 3 convention Of the bsst
men In the state, equally divided Gs to
their politics, from which would result a
constitution suited to the people of the
state. and non political in les provisions.
Whfteman FAvors a NOn-PartIsan Body
Harvey Whiteman Esq OF Whining
ton, followed Mr.. Vallsndighsm. Mr.
Whitenan's speech was listened to with
great attention. he discussed with much
force the necessity OF a partisan
convention. aud tue right OF the people
: TO say by what means the best results
could De obtained
everyone recognizes the need OF q neE
constitution, and we must not forget that
the work Of the convention must be sub
mltted to the people for their approval
Can we ratlfy constitution drafted by
partisan body of meng It would be
sssRiled from all Sides be, defeated. and
our years Of preparation would have
been In vain Il is not the part Of