Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-01-30

Special Correspondence OF Gazette ana journal
Newark, Jan. "a. Hon. John Pllling
was the author OF the amendment that
changed the time for voting for a new
State Constitution from May to tho gem
eral election. His interest in new Com
stitution is keen and it is generally
understood that he wishes to be dele
gate to the Constitutional Convention.
When The Gazette's correspondent
questioned him respecting the origin
OF the amendment he said: 81 was
talking one day TO Nat Smithers in
his Office at Dover, about the vote to
be taken at the coming May election
for Constitutional Convention and
Mr.. Smithers said to me. We'll never
got it, John. That set me to thinking
and the next day | went back with
the proposition to amend the Constitu-
tion so that the vote could be had at
the general election instead of in May.
He was struck with tho idea and
thought it just tho thing. He said
scheme Of that kind only needed
starting and it would work out itself.
He drafted the amendment after several
consultations with prominent Demo-
cratic lawyers of Dover They were
heartily in favor of it. 1t passed first
at that session and afterwards at the
next session Of the Legislature without
Il dissenting vote in either House. I"
g Have you anything TO say, Mr..
Pilling, concerning the act passed by
the last General Assembly recommend
ing that each county have 10 delegates,
five from each party?'' he was asked.
''Y Yes. think that an excellent idea.
1t is my earnest wish that the conven-
tion be bipartisan, having all 10 names
on each party's ticket and voted for by
the whole people. That resolution
originated with John Biggs and Mr..
Bradford of Wilmington. | understand
that Mr.. Fisher thinks il probable
that such bipartisan convention, il
elected, would terminate in deadlock
over the organization. differ with
him. | do not believe the people will
send that kind of men to the conven-
tion. Ii they do, God forbid, | don't
care to be one Of them.'' aasN
"What is your idea, Mr. Piling,
about how these delegates should be
selected?'
well. of course, DON'T care to be
put in the position Of trying to dictate
but it has occurred to me that here in
New Castle we have five Levy Court
Commissioners districts, two in Will
mington and three throughout the
county, and that it would be quite Just
to have two men, one Republican and
one Democrat, named from each dis
trict outside of Wilmington and four
named ilmington as whole. You
see that would give rural New Castle
six votes in tho convention and Will
mington four. / think that ought to
satisfy Wimington's citizens and the
country people, too. "
What suggestion have you to make
concerning the chosing Of the candi-
dates by the two parties?''
" 1t has always been my principle in
political government to submit every
thing to tho peoples vote, but in this
case | think l see an exception and
believe it would he to the best interest
of TIE State to select the candidates by
a district or county convention.
have given this Constitutional Conven-
tion question great deal of thought.
1t ia the most important matter before
the people of Delaware to-day and
believe ! am in sympathy with all the I,
fair minded people Of the State in wish
ing to see perfectly non bipartisan con.
yention. We want the best men in the
State to represent the people in the
framing of oar next Constitution.
heard John NJ. Clayton say in his
famous sneech, made way back in '52,
against the convention that the key
to our present Constitution had been
thrown away. 1t has taken 80 years
to find that key and hope and sin.
cerely trust that il may prove a bless.
ing to our little State and be used to
promote the happiness and contentment
of our people. Our next Constitution
won't last 30 years. That is too long a
time in this rapidly growing age for
State to 80 without change "