Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-12-17

WILMINGTON. THURSDAY. DEC. ~.
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Some Suggestions for the Makers of Our
New Constitution.
To certain degree a Constitution is
very much like charter. In the case
Of the latter its powers are defined.
and the right given it to make such
bylaws and rules for the carrying on
and furtherance Of it's objects, as are
necessary and in keeping with the
terms Of the act creating it. It is
not bulky, cumbersome body. On
the contrary, it is especially made
compact and solid, but containing all
the necessary parts required to put
into operation and control the objects
and purposes Of its creation.
This principle should be continually
kept in mind by the delegates at Dover
who are now framing new Constitu-
tion for us, and to the best OF their
ability they should give to the people
Of this State Constitution small and
compact in body. but broad and COM
prehensive in it's terms.
Take the Federal Constitution, the
greatest and noblest document ever
written. III it's comparatively small
compass is the firm foundation of the
greatest system Of government in the
civilized world. By and under it's
terse and comprehensive articles, are
enacted and put into operation the
statutes for the government of our
seventy millions of people, and under
il we live, move, and have our being
In peace and prosperity. And yet, as
published in our State Code, the
Federal Constitution, even with its
fifteen amendments, covers but fifteen
and one-half pages, while the Delaware
Constitution of 1881 covers twenty two
pages. and has schedule of four
more. We do not want, for we do not
need a Constitution made up of large
body OF statutes, but we do want, and
should have short and concise body
OF law, on broad and firm basis,
which will permit the passage of
statutes under its terms that are neces-
sary for the various and changing
conditions Of the body polite. Ii a
statute so passed be found inefficient
or contrary to the spirit Of the Con-
stitution, let it be repealed, and
another passed to suit the existing
need, but do not formulate into Con.
stitution body of laws which, for a
time at least cannot be changed, and
which, while it lasts, works a positive
detriment and harm to the people fol
whom 1t was adopted with the in,
tention of benefit ting
The press of Delaware is now TEEN.
ing with communications from its
citizens offering countless suggestions,
which should have no part in thu
Constitution of this nor any othe,
State. A Con stitution properly framet
should allow the passage of statute
which, according to their intent, en-
able the affairs of our citizens to b,
properly carried on, or put a stop t,
methods or acts which are pos;
tive injury or menace to the peace ant
good order OF the commonwealth, ant
OF the citizens who are subject to it,
laws, Certain measures in law shoule
always be placed in Constitution
based upon republican form O
government, but they should be a
few in number as possible, and YER
clearly and concisely expressed.
We would greatly desire to impress
this upon the minds of our delegate
now assembled in Dover, and beg then
to reflect, that what We need is firm
broad foundation for the body of la,
under which we are to be governed
and that the whipping post, loca
option, prison reform, and the othe
innumerable suggestions that are flow
ing in upon them, should be- reiegate
to the Legislature, and promulgated b
it in the form of statutes, and not per
mitted to form part, and thereby clio
the wheels of an otherwise sound Cor
stitution.