Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-02-20
A Non.parti.an Convention.

The Delaware Pilot, published at
Lewes, gives careful attention to the
question of a Constitutional Conven-
tion, and takes issue with writer in
the Milford Herald who persistently
favors the election q delegates upon
partisan tickets. This writer, the
Pilot says, rather intimates that since
the Republicans have been contending
against some of the provisions of the
instrument because they are out of
power, they should, if possible, by
success at the coming election be
placed in position to draft Consti
tuition that would give them the instru-
mentalities to throw away the koy
again." Such an idea, the Pilot holds,
is preposterous and selfish, and IT pro.
Goods 10 cordially endorse the declara-
tion OF State Senator pilling of Newark,
in favor of electing non partisan
convention. II then adds
Having then elected ticket repre-
sentmg both parties, the convention
could discuss the duties and pnNnrs
ot the Governor. Possibly IL would
meet the popular approval TO give tho
Governor tho veto power, 10 require
that the appointments that may be ac-
corded to him be confirmed by the Sen.
ate. Tho election of Il lieutenant. gov
orhor to preside over the Senate. Then
again to relieve the chief executive.
II may be desirable 10 provide for the
election of the Court House officers IL
this method would be more satisfactory
than the present provision. In rela-
tlon 10 the question of representation,
the division OF New Castle county into
two counties would solve tho issue,
giving the ~, 600 inhabitants 20 rep
rcsentatives in tho Assembly. being
about one representative to 4, 500 PER-
sons, which considering the floating
population, ia a fair basis. Kent would
have one to 3, 200 and over, Sussex one
TO about every 4,000 inhabitants. With
bipartisan convention rs Senator
Pilling suggests this much could be
accomplished without contention. The
present assessment and collection laws
could be wiped OUT and an accept
able system adopted, if the Delegates
are elected not On partisan basis. but
with the purpose Of serving the State
for the general good The sub ject will
he considered later.
There is food for reflection in the
suggestions thrown out by the Pilot
as TO what tie convention should do.
and as tho matter is now fairly before
the people, it is not too early to begin
to consider these things. The conven-
tion will be elected in November and
will commence it's work the following
month.
II is encouraging, however. TO note
a disposition on the part of the press
OF both parties to support the non
partisan conveh tion project. On Satur-
day we quoted from the Sussex Republi-
cana paner whore political opinions
are indicated by its name--an expires.
sion in favor of a convention equally
divided in membership between tho
Republican and Democratic parties.
The Pilot, from which we quote above,
is a Democratic paper.
We hope the press of the State will
give free and honest expression Of their
opinions upon this matter, and that
citizens generally who are Interested
will speak their minds clearly. There
is no doubt that non partisan con.
vention would prove more acceptable to
the people than a body controlled by a
partisan majority.