The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-01-21
TEN PAGES TODAY I
A NEW PLAN SUGGESTED.

The Twenty legislature 10 hardly
more than week old, yet nine resolutions
in the house and seven or eight in the
senate have already been introduced pro-
viding for the submission OF certain con-
stitutional amendments 70 the people for
adoption, while others are In course Of
preparation.
Realizing that, as q matter OF fact, most
OF the necessary changes in the statutes
which have suggested themselves require
changes in the constitution SO as to permit
OF their adoption. and hoping to obtain
public consideration thereof by some more
jcxpeditious and less expensive plan than
the one afforded by a constitutional con-
vention, Representative Shropshire has In
troduced the following. which is now pend
ing before the house committee on consti-
tutionaI amendments:
Resolved, BY the house or representatives.
tho senate coucurring, that a joint committee
shall be appointed. consisting OF fifteen menu
beers OF the house of representatives, to be
Appointed by the speaker, and ten senators.
to DO appointed by the president OF the senate.
whose duty It shall be to consider the FEAST
bliity of preparing an amendment to the con-
stitltion OF the State relating to ana In
Guiding all subjects deemed necessary and
, apprSf slate to the purposes of a State con-
st3tationl save and except the preamble and
bill OF rights homestead and other exemption
provisional as the same now exists In the
constitution OF this State. and In the event
the said COMMITTEES shall determine II advisa-
bic that such smendment be prepared and
atfLcted to frame such an amendment as
they shall conclude to be consistent with the
make their report to The respect,y up's houses
o. this Legislature at as early date as prac-
ticabie which proposed amendment, II adopt
by a vote OF two-thirds OF all the members
elected TO each house, shall be submitted TO
vote OF the people OF the State Of Toxaa
~ sne next general election,
The principal objection to be urged Ia
the above is that the work proposed s
too heavy for a legislative committee. or, In
other words, that such members as might
be appointed thereon have too many other
interests to look after TO permit Of their
deyoting the time necessary for the proper
disposal of such an undertaking.
But this need not necessarily prevail
against the spirit OF the resolution, for
the Legislature can. II 1t VIII, easily pass
bill authorizing the governor TO appoint
ten or fifteen competent men OF known In
tegrlts and in whom public confidence re-
poses TO do just what Mr. shropshire pro.
2 possS 'nup y ies isiatlNc coiuiulttVe snail un-
dertake, and make nn appropriation to pay
them for their services. The result Of
their deliberations can then be submit.
ted first to tho legislature for approva
and then to tho people for ratification a
the next general election.
This plan might meet all Of the require
msnts Of the situation and be considerably,
\ less expensive than n constitutional con
yention.
The Post favors the enactment OF a new
constitution because Il believes the time
and new conditions in Texas demand 1t
and II Mr. shropshire's plan would sery'
tho purpose, we'll and good, The Post be
lieveS that Governor sayors could be trust
ed TO select men who would do the worl
conscientlously and to the good and weifar'
OF the State.