Birmingham state herald., 1897-02-03
STATE PRESS UNANIMOUS The Constitutional Convention
 Needed, Say All. WILL PROVE A BLESSING Legislators Must Not Disappoint the People Backed by All Classes the Appeal
 Cannot Be Ignored.

Cannot De Ignored.
 The following extracts from news papers of the state are given as, in part, an expression of the opinions of the press, and does not include many whose views, favoring the convention, have been well nigh unanimous. These are omitted for need of space:
 
 Florence Herald: "The Herald is most heartily in favor of constitutional con- vention. Ala,bama's constitution should be revised to suit the requirements of the progress of the state. The need of a new constitution is recognized by the business men of the state, and actlVe steps are now being taken to bring the matter before the legislatuGe.
 Tuscumbia North Alabamian: Let us have a constitutional convention. The people are demanding it and the interests of Alabama make 1t imperative. The desire has become well nigh unanimous, and we have observed no opposition Of any consequence to the movement If our state senators and representatives disappoint the people in this matter dur ing the present session of the, general assembly they will have failed to repre- sent their respective constituencies and VIII ODSlruct the cDInm6Tcldl, and industrial interests of our state be- yond estimate" HE
 Huntsville Mercury: We regret to mo- tee that the present legislature is closely following the course of it's predecessors of the past few years in the matter of local legislation. If the present legdsla- ture will provide for constitutional con- vention; fund the bonded indebtedness of the state at low rate of interest; pro- 4I.1. nf ho in terest and set aside an amount as a sinking fund to pay the principal, and improve the public school system, we will at once see an improvement in the social and business condition of the state. The local laws, at best, affect only few peo- pie, whereas general legislation of a sound character would prove blessing to the whole people Montgomery Advertiser: "There is now a strong sentiment among the people of the state in favor of amending the con- stitution in several important particu- lars. and no doubt, the legislature now in session will give serious consideration ito the question of the propriety of holding a conveniion of the people or of propos- ing and submitting the necessary amend ments to be voted upon by them Should the latter mode be adopted, and the amendments submitted to the people with the hearty indorsement and earnest sup port of the majority of that body, fair and full expression of the will of the people of the s;ate will be had upon them according to their merits"
 Pratt City News: "We notice that many of the state papers are lining up to fight for the constitutional conVen- tion and we should be glad to see them all fighting for the same issue. We are de- cidedly in favor of a new constitution, and have been from the first, and recom- mend the agitation of the subject by every paper in this state that is in favor or our own fair state keeping pace with her sisters in the march of modern prog ress."
 Piedmont Inuuirer: "The interest in the effort to secure through the next leg islature the privilege of calling con- yention to revise the state constitution Is growing. The Inquirer is of the opin- ion this is a timely movement. The school laws and road laws need revision badly. Yet the matter should be thor oughly discussed by the press and the various items needing revision and reas- ons therefor should be laid before the people for consideration"
 
 Wetumpka Democrat "The people will turn their attention to the framing of a new constitution for the state. It has outgrown the old one, and new con- ditions require change. Let us have it by all means"
 
 Florence Journal: "The committee of the Alabama Commercial association, appointed at the last meeting of that body in Birmingham, to take in hand the matter of constitutional convention, met in Birmingham Monday. The move- ment that looks to the calling of con- stitutional convention is backed not only by the Commercial associations, but by the Alabama Educational association, nearly every newspaper in the state, and dis looked upon with great deal of favor by the people generally. Changing con- ditions demand new issues. Growth de- mands a great many new things, and the constitution of our state, which was framed years ago, is not in accord with the present condition of the state and does not provide for a. great many things that have recently become necessities Alabama must have better school sys- tenn. a system more extensive and thor ough. And the change in the school sys- tenn is but one among several changes that are needed"
 Athens Democrat: 'The Democrat be- lieves Alabama needs new constitution and we have no hesitancy in taking our stand as an advocate of it."
 Alexander City Outlook: Here Is our own Alabama in the middle of bad fix The old constitution measures us all by the same yard stick, taking no account of our peculiar necessities or our special surroundings. In order to facilitate school matters we must be up and doing. We need change in the fundamental law"
 
 Wilcox Progress We hope when our representatives return to Montgomery in January next, and compare the notes of their association with their constituents
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