The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-01-17
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
The State OF Illinois. too, wapts new
constitution, and resolutions have been
introduced in both branches OF the iegis-
laturc at Springfield for submitting the
question OF calling convention to q vote
OF the people.
The Chicago Record, one OF the most
conservative Of all the Western mctropoli-
tan dailies. in discussing the matter, says
that "the changes needed are so numerous
and the process of securing constitutional
reform through the submission OF separate
amendments is 50 difficult that II would
seem as II there ought 10 be convention"
This is precisely the view presented ire
quently by The Post In the case OF our
own State. scarcely any one doubts that
the constitution az Texas stands in need
OF revision, the only differences en- the
subject arising from conflicting opinions
as to the better methods for securing the
desired changes, whether or not thi. is the
opportune time. etc. The Record continues:
The censtitution of Illinois is largely a
constitution OF restrictions. and therefore not
well designed To stand unchanged Tor all
ZINC. When drafted 1t was we'll suited to the
needs OF the State. Tho mistake OF Its franz
erb Wis IN believing IL would not need iltera-
ton 10 meet changing conditions on account
OF which belief tue procedure for securing
either revision or amendment v as made very
huf 0In
stand for long periods OF time without re-
vision and still not interfacs with devc.or-
Visions. Such a one is tho constitution OF
the United States, The constitution OF Massa-
chusetts is another. That document is very
general in It's provisions and leaves to the
legislature wide range OF power Hence II
has stood for decades without revision. Being
fairly easy az amendment. needed changes
have been made by tho adoption OF separate
amendments. The constitution OF Illinois is
a very different document It restricts the
power OF the Legislature TO act In many ways
in which changing conditions require action
The constitution OF Illinois. too. regulates
many matters that are naturally the subject
oil ordinary legislation.
This illustrates, even parallels. the con-
ditions in Texas to nicely In line with
this idea. Judge w. p. Mclean of Fort
Worth, who was one OF the trainers OF the
present constitution away back in 1875.
was reported in the press yesterday in
public interview MS saying:
Il am inclined to favor constitutional
convention. Our constitution contains many
! admirable features. but IL lacks compactness
i and finish. ItE trainers recognized this de-
feet In the instrument when they signed 1t
and presented II to the people FOR ratinca-
4 tiun. They felt that there was more OF leg
ikation In its provisions than befitted the
organic Inv, Of the state. There was in the
1 public mind at that time sore and resent
full feeling In consequence OF abuses that at.
tcnded the so-cailed reconstruction period
in the South. which In some measure niiu-
enced the convention Of 1876. Under the i'm
pulse of that feeling the delegates sought to
provide by organic law against possible
recurrence Of sueh abuses In this state The
result was that they, to some extent, invaded
f tho field Of legislation and made constitu-
tion which may be improved by iudicious
Joint resolution and submission to popular
\ vote is not satisfactory and lis Uncertain.
There is want OF delheration In that
method. whether n proposed amendment Is
I adopted or rejected
Coming from such source, this effect
ualIy estops the puerle cry already raised
in certain quarters that mono but agita-
4 tors want convention called
I Today Governor sayers goes into Of
flee at Austin. Everybody expects him to
be an executive of whom we can all feel
proud, one who will do great deal OF
good for our State. He goes into office
with the unreservcd confidence OF all
classes. of all the people. In his campaign
speeches he suggested and pledged him
self to certain needed changes and reforms
in our governmental affairs. No one doubts
that he will keep faith with the people by
carrying out these reforms as far as he
may be permitted to do so. And right
there is where the trouble is going to arise
| A majority OF the changes which he has
suggested will require changes In the con-
stitution.
That is tho whole story. Now would It
not be better for Governor sayers and
those who stand with him for real reform
In State government to take the lead In
having called a convention to secure
new organic law, one that is UP to date
and Will permit needed reform work by
the executive and legislature rather than
to waste any more OF tho public money in
attempting to patch up the old documenti
The Post thinks 20.
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