The Weekly Tallahasseean., 1900-10-18
|GAINSTCONYENTION
|Orida's Noted JuriSt, A. E.
/ Maxwell, =,
IRTTES FULLY ON SUBJECT
y, Question is as Important as
~ Capital Removal.

on. L. Raney, DedT OIL L SoV III
. papers many articles and COM
uuications against the removal OF
CAPITAL from Tallahassee, but
PRIV few against the call for State
Institutional Convention. Why is
;sp It seems to me that the latter
quite as important a matter as the
rmer. Both proposals came from
q same source, and the circum-
apees of their origin show, that the
lief promoters of both had in mind
e double chance of accomplishing
eir main object Of removal. If
btes fail to give them an amend
lent of the Constitution for the pur
bse. then resort is to be had to a
institutional Convention; and
bubtless they would prefer that, in
much as a majority in the Constl-
ton would accomplish their pur-
bse. while three fifths vote of the
gislature would be required to &C
bmpli>h it, through an amendment
the Constitution In this view the
Invention scheme should be more
arming, to- those who oppose re-
oval of the Capital, than the amend
ent scheme.
Another view on the same line, Is
at the most important reasons
ainst the removal apply with equal,
fact, with more force against the
II of a convention-mOIe because
the additional large expense to
le people of holding the COnven-
on. One of these reasons, Is the
bsence Of any expressed desire OF
emand of any large portion of the
eople for a Convention, or any open
anifestation whatever on their part
a desire for one. The scheme Ii
rung upon them by promoters who
not care to await the usua
bmpting- known public needs witt
Known general desire to meet them
known public evils, that b9get q
eneral voice for remedy. Neither
these is ostensible to justify thu
ii for a Convention. 1t is, indeed
BIT at all a peoples movement; anC
is increditable that they should no
i've moved, if there are neeFs anC
Eils so heavily upon them, as to re
uire the intervention of new Con
tuition. |
Another reason applicable alike
Capital-remcval and Con1entiOn
the great expense. Judging from
be figures of the Convention bf 1882
will require between 100000 anc
1900 to defray he expenses OF thu
Invention proposed nows Ant
bis is to be added to the amoun
Equired to build a new Capitol
Ot likely to be less than ia half
lilhon, if not more. AS the peOpl'
he already complaining OF burden
pme taxes, that would SEEM to be
pmplaint more legitimately demand
g the attention of the promoter
these costly schemes. SQpposln!
e complaint a just one, lt.ls mucf
ore defiant than wise, to fling int
eir faces these schCmes tOElncreas
e burdcn-Or any schem F. unles
e need OVerpOWers the hardshlE
SIX them what is the need Tor
Invention If not for Capital re
oval (Which the promoters are try
g to effect by ameLdmett OF tn
esent Constitution) then tbr what
here has been much cry for tn
ection of County Commiss[ Oners b,
people, instead of appointment b,
Governor. Bnt that il met b
amendment by the legislature
nich is to be voted on at the com
election. Another an endmen
lied for, relates to the ISuprem
Purt. The condition OF the bus,
IS of that Court is such Jas to re
lire some sort of relief, which ca
ly be given by an amendment G
Constitution, that will impair
EATER efficiency than posslPl
der It's present numerical organ
lion. And this so far as L haV
en- or heard, is the only really IN
rtant matter agitated tot the Wor
amendments, though there al
Der amendments spoken of TIL
We comparatively little i portanc
Ftainly not enough 70 sugge
cesSity for ConventionI With on
eh matters to act on, il would !
pnstrous to tax the people Il
ge sum a Convention would co
prely to condone the 81 ortcomln!
the legislature, which can al
ght to act, whenever shch work
eded.
The provision in our P present Go