The age-herald., 1898-11-18
of these questions is of supreme public in-

of these questions is of supreme public in- terest.
 The first matter of interest before the general assembly is that of the constitution of the state Whether the first civic docu- ment of Alabama shall be abolished abso- lutely in favor of a wiser general plan of self-government, or be amended In the vital aspects is for the legislature to determine.
 Many Objections Urged
 There are many serious objections urged against a constitutional convention, such as that of 1875, over which presided James l.. Pugh, for many years one of the Ala bama members of the United States senate In his speech accepting the presidency or that famous convention MT Pugh uttered that memorable phrase, which stirred the heart of every native white Alabamian,. to the effect that the weak waves of repub- licanism shall beat themselves helplessly against the white cliffs of democratic su- premacy."
 That speech became the shibboleth of the democrats and by that watchword they reelected Houston governor in the Gen. tennal year.
 The cost of the constitutional convention of 1875, which abolished the damnable con- stitution adopted by the military order of Swayne, of the federal bayonet in 1868. was roughly speaking, s500OO It has been es- timated that a constitutional convention this year or next could be held at cost of $25.000 That estimate is absurd That low figure is impossible. But whether 1t be possible. the state hasn't got that sum to spend. The state is hard up to make use of a vulgar expression of a patent fact. For years the state has borrowed money Tor current expenses.
 Paying on the Debt
 She is not borrowing money now, but on the contrary is paying off her floating debt under the remarkable administration or Governor Johnston Before Johnston goes out of office he will have wiped out the deficit. No floating debt will confront his successor, be that successor General Shel- ley, Jess Stallings, Newton Clements, or some other honored citizen.
 Amendments to the constitution will cost nearly nothing at all. As The Age-Her- aid pointed out this morning there are but four questions which constitutional convention would be called upon to con- sider. They are the franch se taxation education and the tenure of office.
 Any radical increase in the rate Of tax ation would make Alabama the Poland Of the American republic. It would spell rum in letters that would cover all the materlal Armament of our hopes. This matter Of taxation is a matter of supreme interest to every individual within the bounds of the state
 Franchise and Education
 50 also Wltn lHe lfdHchisC anu eNeN" tion. We have got to get rid of the ignor- ant and the vicious who go to the polls on election days. They cannot be any longer endure1 without grave peril to society.
 Children must be educated. The public school must be opened to every child. Ala bama must cast from herself the aspersion that she is the third most illiterate member of the sisterhood of the states.
 We have too many elections. There can be no question of that. The tenure of office of the servants of the state must be length ened. The elections come too near together They disturb business and retard the work of conducting the government of the state.
 It Is for the general assembly to say whether these needful changes may be ac- complished by amendments to the consti- tuition or a constitutional convention.
 LUCIEN JULIEN WALKER.