The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-09-17

the concessions and compromises it would
find necessary in reconciling these differ
ences. would probably evolve a heterog-
enous conglomeration which IL accepted by
the people. would probably prove more
unsatisfactory than the existing one we
have had since the inception of our gov
eminent. 1t might appear to one not az
hicted with mental opthalmia that the peo-
Sle, having already considered this matter
several times over, have reached the con-
clusion that supreme court working in
divisions Is not essentially different from
and not as desirable as the present system;
and further that their interests Of so
ave and important a character should
not longer be banded back and forth like
"A shuttlecock or football merely TO graf
fy the experimentalists; and further yet,
Slat they really mean what, by their votes
they have already said three times over,
II not oftener still.
The restrictive character of the present
constitution. especially with reference to
the legislative powers. is one OF the Erin-
cipal grounds of COMPLAINT. but whenever
this question Is properly tested, 1t VIII
be found that the people desire that the
legislative power should be yet further
curtailed. instead OF being enlarged, espe-
cially as to the aDpropriaticn II public
money; aud men who have themselves had
legislative experience. concur in this view.
The pressure that is brought to bear on
legislatures bv the advocates OF measures
that will raid the State treasury or pro-
mote their personal interests. as against
those of the masses. Is very strong and
persuasive. while no one from the outside
comes into the legislative halls as the de-
fender or advocate of the interests of the
people. who are at home attending to their
business. and the legislature has only one
side of the matter presented to II. The
field of general and experimental legisla-
ton is already too wide open and inviting.
and with The present restrictions taken
away. an average legislature could lar X
rupt Texas and wreck our State govern
ment in even less time than the sixty days
ftXed ms the full paw limit of the session.
With reference to the restrictive CHAR
acter. generally. OF our constitution, it
NAV be Justly said to be one of It's best
features. While its restrictions are some
times quite provoking and an obstacle TO
what might sometimes prove TO be b, ne
ficial legislation. vet they are the safe
guards of the peonle. the conservators of
their interests and despite the large
amount OF profanity thew evoke. they will
doubtless be retained by the people until
it is demonstrated. not merely assumed,
that a larger license will not be abused.
The constitution provides for the re-
vision and codification Of the statute law
from time to time. such revision being
somewhat akin to a revision OF the organic
law by new constitution. Texas has re-
Gently tried her hand in this line, and
the result affords no argument in favor of
the experiment of organic revision. The
legislature worked ut the codihcallon met
ter about four wears. with the aid, for
part OF that time. Of a codifying commits
sion of ability drawing good salaries, and
the new Revised Code was event tally
brought forth, adopted and published at
total expense OF about $50 900; and then
instead of iov and graduation and peace
there were renewed cries of discomfort
the critics merely had a new subj sct; the
frog at once climbed upon this volume of
LEGAL lore and ere its splash In the waters
OF the pond had fairly subsidized Begin
praying jupiter to send them something
else and even In the next succeeding leg
islature this $4,000 book was flippantly
referred TO as the revised congomeration
OF errors!' Now. II jupiter could answer
the PRAYERS OF the malcontents with a de-
Nouring stork In the form OF a modern.
wide-open. pro-corporation. o-trust, and
town-lot- boom constitution, without in
Volvlng the masses OF the people in the
swallowing up that would ensue. there
would be no serious objection, but In the
ordinary the wheat and tares must be
reaped tcGether, and this constitutional
stork would make no discrimination be-
tween the clamorens and those who had
held their peace.
Another leading objection OF the critics
to our constitution is the short tenure ~
office 1t provides, At periodic Intervals
voice is heard here and there CRYING
for a four wears tenure for all State and
county officers. and occasionally even foy
ME tenure for the higher judges. as in
the Federal system. Texas adopted the
TWO wears tenure at the inception of her
government and maintained II until the
state went into the hands Of the repub-
mean partv under military rule. and MS
soon as she reclaimed control of her own
ahairs she repudiated the four years,
tenure which the radical party had In
troduced; and there is not the remo,est
probabilitv OF her again taking I'M This
discarded relic of her republican DAYS
wiie the democratic PARTY is in mower
"nateVer be the intrinsic merits OF such
a lheasure' IL Is one which, in Texas. has
80" STAMPED with the republican brand
ana inc democrat will not accent n Nor
Mouid II be advisable. from a nolit,cai
s.ahopoint for US TO have only auadrennisi
STATE elections at this time. n Is tha
,hteFsst IN the State and county officers |
s snat Justly arouses the great democrats
n i',ar ana draws out the full vote. and
a m,un only uuadrennial State elections |
@ alternate congressional election
would be an off-vear electIon--nna -. |
when only members of congress would
y voted Tor: one at which but few would |
, ,ts..hu, ana one in which a little rennh- |
IAN manasement and money might 90
.ar toward making our Congressional deie'
Sanon iarselv republican.
ne demand for new constitution n
'"n,a extent II prevails. is due largely
pernaps, to morbid desire for sometime
such inherent in fraii human nature. and
sun as induces inconstaM man IA Nv
49,, eager to kiss the lips OF unac-
luainted change" But change Is moi ma nae
r,sariy reform, any more than is swan
png the devil for witch. Since ~.
tanning OF the present constitution thers
nss been no material change In the char
SNr % the social and paliticai esaM