Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-08

lRour TILE CONSTITUTION MAKERs.

The discussion of a new state constitu-
ion over in Kansas has given striking
illustration OF the prOclivity Of the Amer
can people 10 talk most about that of
which they know least. 1t may be safely
aid that not one in ten of the Populist
ytateSmen who are now spouting about the
need OF a new constitution has ever read
the present organic law Of the state. In
demonstration Of this It Is only necessary
to ask one OF them what particular article.
section or clause h believes is needing re-
vision. or what particular amendment the
people might most advantageously attach,
md in the ore case he will stammer and
,vade. and in the other. in a majority OF
instances at least, will name something
which IS already contained in the existing
constitution.
State Senator William +. Sterne, OF Shaw
zee. has been making some experiments
IlonE this line. and has accomplished some
sesyIlts which are edifying as well as ANUS
ng. He declares that the people who are
Ioing the greater part OF the talking about
he necessity OF a new constitution in KAN
Ias have never read ten lines OF the docu-
uent which was adopted with such infinite
pains in Isea. and that few If any, of them
zeal purposes or the instrument. He finds
hat numbers OF these would-be constitu,
don makers have confused the functions
OF the LEGISLATURE with those Of the corsti-
tution. and. instead OF a broad declaration
az governmental principles. or a guarantee
OF certain iua'ieuHble rights to the citizen,
they wouId make ont Of tho primary d0gu-
men; a code OF laws and include in il all
OF lae machinery which properly belongs
in tho siatutory enactneHts. In iIIustra-
tion of the Ignorance Of some OF the loud
cst takers senator Sierne SAYS he found
ono prominent Populist who Thought the
document uucsr discussion was the De la
rat on o. Independence. and who said dat
waiIe e. was good enough Tor Jengr-oa'z
time. s. was ont uf date now. In passing,
81 mav wish rrupri-ty be said that this is
little w0sze than tae remark Of John Bra.d-
or-rri who o. '1reI shat the constitution
shout Ha aHau-sE because II was adopted
'iu tAa days wh-n cowboys ruled
u sh0u,H nor he resumed however, that
because the PgpH}ssts are behind this con-
stIta-i5ra. movement they are a unit in
its favor There ir a; laast one noteworthy
exception ia tha ease ~ the Pittsbura
Eeu=a~. ono OF tho leading Populis. pa,
pa-# 40. Sau'h-rn kau=as. whirh 5arilres
tia. It WI. support a Convention only up0n
The condition fha; the present constitution
80 90 h. aa.s-r.5 ag4 uu-asu- nut IN -
pace. r advances TIE somewhat startling
r-auosIt.on.;h consultation IS not need.
% ara declares that "the experience OF
tra country shows that constitutions. in,
s'osI - sery'rE az barrier against IRE.
sn.ns r'e r1wa-. ar. themselves She bull
walk aaE shield OF whatever abuse OF
-.= g. rNfsts In tho state or nation" As an
,e .1.aat The Kausau comedies reluct-
aH.-y rnat a constitution rHEht not he
without ,,s uses. bgs declares that It should
10 Emitted ts two hsirf clauses, one OF
which provide Coy the hoilInS.or elections
sua ;he Other rl- direct legislation.
n anyone doub,sa tHa: tho tendencies OF
Popui.sin were toward socialism. or toward
anarchy In the sense Of a destruction or
Fundamental law. he ReeI only 20 read his