The record-union., 1897-03-28

convention that could now be called
able one CT 1879, or that the results Of
its work would stand the test of trial
any better than the results of that
body. Ever since the adoption of the
present Constitution the people have
been ascertaining it's inequalities and
undesirable features and have been
remedying them so far as lies within
their power 1t seems better to perfect
the instrument in this way, with full
opportunity to discuss proposed
amendments, than to call together
body of men who shall prepare a new
Constitution, which in turn will have to
be amended repeatedly until it meets
the wants of the people.
A constitutional convention is after
all nothing more than Legislature,
and we have no security that its work
would be any better or any more salts
factory than that of any Legislature
that has ever been chosen.
AS the matter stands now, amend
ments to the Constitution are thorough
ly digested and discussed before the
people are called up to adopt or reject
them. But if a new Constitution were
drawn ur the entire document would
have to be adopted or rejected as
whole, without any opportunity to Sc
lect the good points and reject the bad
ones. We do not believe that there is a
general demand for a new Constitution
but on the other hand think that by the
present process of amendment such a
basic system of law can be, is being
1,1iJ will N
the end and remain in force until con-
ditions change and like radical changes
in the foundation of our laws are made
necessary.
PURE FOOD AGAIN.
San Diego Union: A correspondent
writing to the Union" in regard to
the pure food movement, suggests that
under the English law compelling man.
ufacturers to label all mixtures or
adulterations with the exact ingredi-
ents' dealers have no chance to plead
ignorance of what they sell. This is
unquestiCEably q very direct way to
prevent frauds on the public in refer
ence to food products To many it
seems like putting the cart before the
horse, to prosecute the dealer who sells
adulterated goods, and let the manu-
facturer who puts them up, go scot
free A. the same time it is tolerably
plain that if dealers find that they in
eur penalties for selling commodities
that are impure, they will be very apt
to withdraw their trade from the man.
ufacturar who furnishes such articles,
and he in turn will learn that dishon-
esty does not pay. Bnt whether the
proceedings be against the merchant
or the man who supplies him, it is safe
to say that if public sentiment for the
suppression of the traffic in adulterated
food products can once be thoroughly
aroused. there will be a needed reform
on this subject, that will sweep the en-
tire country.
SOME COMFORT.
Alameda Argus: There is a crumb
of satisfaction in the knowledge that
although the public became hysteric
over the late prize-fight before it came
off, it has not smothered the victor
with admiration since. Fitzsimmons is
not a hero in the eyes of the masses,
though he is a curiosity when he ap-
pears in public, after the manner of the
bearded LADY,. Corbett will no doubt
draw better houses at the theater when
he appears, and more people will do
reverence to John L. Martin Julian's
that there was "a million in F'itz" for
show purposes, may be questioned. 1t
will take Napoleonic mana cement to
extract that money from the champion,
and the first move will have to be to