The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-02-22
A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
MIR. Goss Answers Critics OF Amend
ment of Organic LAW.

MIR. Goss Answers Critics of Amend
ment of Organic LAW.
Austin, Texas, February 2i.--Mr. Goss,
the author Of the resolution providing for
constitutional convention, which has
been fayorably reported upon in the sen
ate, has written the following letter to
the Hall County Herald, which answers
objections made by q certain class of
critics to a revision of the organic law;
see that you are opposed to consti-
tutional convention, ana one OF the
grounds of your opposition seems to be
that you have gotten it into your head that
the movement for a convention is prompt
ed by lobbyists representing corporate and
other interests inimicnl TO the homestead
provision and other wholesome provisions
of our present constitution. In my humble
| judgment this is u very grave error. J
know that in a certgn communication
recently addressed TO the people of Texas
| by a distinguished citizen, an effort was
| made to create this impression; and l am
sure that many good people have been
| mislead and deceived by that address.
The claim that lobbyists have been in
Austin during the present session of the
| legislature for the purpose of securing
| the calling of constitutional convention
| is, l feel fully justified in saying, ut
been unable to find any such lobbyist. 1
am absolutely positive that there has been
10 such influence brought to bear upon
the legislature The effort to make the
people believe that tho Legislature Is un-
der such an influence is grossly mislead-
| ing, and an unworthy appeal to prejudice
and passion.
! The fear that some of the most whole
some provisions of our constitution would
be abrogated Is, in my opinion, utterly
| groundless. 1t may be suggested that the
homestead exemptions AID the railway
| bond and stock provision might be swept
| away entirely or seriously impaired but
no well informed person, familiar with the
situation, really believes any such stuff.
| As to whether IL is wise at this time
to call constitutional convention, is n
matter about which men may very prop
| orly differ. I believe it is best to do so.
| That our constitution is faulty and UNI
suited in many respects TO >present condi-
| tons is so generally conceded that II
| hardly admits OF discussion, but with
many fears seems TO be that we would
not get a better one. j do not entertain
this fear. | believe that we could and
| would improve upon the present constitu-
ton. / have felt the necessity for a con-
stitutional convention for several years.
| but have not favored 1t heretofore on
account of the political unrest and discon-
tent and the dangerous sociallstic senti-
ments and political vagaries abroad in the
land But the mad rush OF passion has
spent its force, and the once turbulent
political seas is now happily at rest. The
| wild vagaries OF populism have lost their
| hold on the people, and the breaches IN
| the democratic party have been nealed
and the public mind is in condition FOR
calm and sober reflection. The times and
conditions are most suspicious for con-
| stitutional convention, and If one should
be ordered | believe that the supreme con-
| side:ation of the people would be the
| selection OF the very best talent IN the
State to represent them in said conven-
| ton Feeling thus. l drafted before leaV-
| ing home land / think without being
| under the hypnotic spell of corporate III
| nuence) a resolution on the subject and
| have introduced it into the legislature
and hope that upon sober and careful re-
Election the legislature may see the WIS
dom of its passage. Space forblds more
than brief mention of few OF the oe-
| fects of the present constitution. our ]u-
| dicial system is cumbersome and unsatls-
factory. Our legislative system Is con
| spicuouGly imperfect. There snonlu De
! fewer members in the house and iegisla-
! TORS should receive better compensation
! This would result in fewer ana more
| we'll matured laws. There is no good
reason Why all state officers should NOT
/ no elected for term of four years IN
I steo1 of two. The Legislature is ham
pered with many unnecessary and some
,lnwise restrictions. We must lay broader
and deeper the foundations of our pubic
! school system If we expect to. properly
educate the youth of Texas ana this can
not be done without changing the con
| stitution. There are other matters OF VI
tai interest to Texas and especially so TO
West Texas portion of which ] have
the honor TO represent that fear can
never be satisfactorily settled without
constitutional convention. 49,,
| Viewing the question as DO, ! am urn
| in the conviction that it would be mos o,I
Unfortunate thing for Texas not to can
such a convention at this time me con-
| rtitution when framed would OF course
he submitted 10 a vote OF the people. ana
| n found to be unsatisfactory coula De
rejected BY them at The ths ps ene 50 seem ia 10
feor and believe TINT AZ effort should pr
made to make such wholesome changes IN
oui ssaassorv d. +. Goss.
OPPOSED TO THE BILL
| = e4.o,, f.nuufy Want No