The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1902-12-13
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

desirabllity Of a new constitution for
Missouri. Only two arguments were
offered II the former article-the ex-
pense including both the cost Of the
convention and the cost Of adjusting
court decisions to the altered phrase
ology of the new Fundamental law,
and the fact that needed amendments
are always promptly voted By the
people when their urgency is made
apparent. Tue American people
seem to like new things, but it
should be borne in mind that consti-
tutions become more valuable with
age and with the accumulation Of
court decisions constituting their mean
ing and intent.
Without meaning to cast any in
situation at the two or three papers
which have noticed unfavorably the
editorial in the INTELLIeENoER, it
may be said plainly at the outset that
the disinterested favorers of a consti-
tutlonal convention are few as COM
pared with the horde of interested
ones. The former are idealists follow
Ing the dream Of perfect government,
automatic, self adjusting, through the
periecting Of a fundamental law. OF
this class the critics above referred to.
are. On the other hand, some Of the
most INSCRIPTIONS men and interests
in the state are seeking to concern
the people in bringing about the
millennium by adopting a new consti-
tuition. 1t is not so much the things
which the present constitution does
not contain that distresses them: it.
is some Of the things It does contain.
Take the following as an example:
Art. XII Sec. -.
ut shall not be lawful 10 this state
for any railroad comp ny to charge
for freight or passengers a greater
amount for the transportation OF the
same for a less distance than the
amount charged for any greater dis
lance. but excursion and Communication
tickets may be issued at special rates. ,
But railroads do not always find IL
to their interest to live up to this
regulation, especially If The roads are
themselves engaged In any Industrial
enterprises 10 competition with indiv-
iduals. For instance, the freight rates
on coal per ton from Lexington, Mo.
to the following stations are as given
below:
To Kansas City, 43 miles : So cents
To Boonville, 10 miles : : 40 cents
To Sedalia, Sc miles = : 65 cents
To Jefferson City, llS miles so cents
Two statutes, sec. 1926 and sec.
1l34, have been passed in pursuance
Of this constitutional provision. These
statutes might be gotten rid Of by
bringing to bear a little extra persua
sion upon the legislature, but then
any statute of different import would
be Unconstitutional. The railroads do
not enjoy being defendants to suits to
recover overcbarge; and they do not
want to give up this means of driving
their competition out Of business where
they are engaged in mining or other
business 10 competition with irdiyid-
uals. The only way is to get the
above quoted provision out Of the con
stitutiou. 1t would not be worth
while to have an amendment offered
looking to this end. The people would
it. There is no way but to
induce the people to believe that they
need a new constitution. In a con-
stiJutional convention there would be
sure to be some delegates elected by
railroad Influence. There would be
sure to be some "willIn" Barkises BY
trading votes and proving mighty
handy" on other propositions, the
above quoted section might be lost In
the shuttle.
The lNTELLIeENCER is opposed to
constitutional revision. When any
change is needed let 1t be submitted
to a yes or no vote OF the people in
the form of an amendment The
can be trusted. Make it plain
to them thai any change is right and
for their good, and they will vote for
it,. But even in the matter Of sub
Knitting amendments, the number
submitted at any one election
ought to be limited to three or four
THE DISMEMBERMENT OF TEXAS.