The Savannah morning news., 1902-10-24

Action and reaction are always equal
and in opposite directions The con-
ventior of 1877 went as far in the di-
rection of economy and even parsi-
mony as that of 1868 had in extrava-
gance and wastefulness. Under the
latter the f1ood-gates were opened, I'M
der the former enterprise has been
hampered and energy paralyzed.
While under it's provisions we have
grown recklessly extravagant in some
things, we have practiced niggardly
economy in others. Frequent amend
ments of the organic law through the
General Assembly have been adopted
from time to time, till it is now piece
of patchwork, and it cannot be said to
have been as a whole improved. 1t is
often ambiguous and always i'll adapt
ed to the conditions which now prevail.
Hence, there is among thinking men
a widespread feeling in favor of
another convention of the people to re-
wise the Constitution and amend it so
as to improve it and adapt it to the
conditions which now surround us.
All the neighboring states have in
the recent past found it necessary to
call conventions for this purpose, and
all have greatly improved their Con-
situations In Georgia there are three
crying evils demanding a remedy,
either one of which is of sufficient i'm
portance, If the convention should do
nothing else, to warrant the people in
assembling in convention.
First. The restriction of the elective
franchise and the elimination of the
venal and corrupt vote.
Second. A constitutional provision
giving the Legislature more ample
power in dealing with trusts and cor
porate monopoly.
IN hoc 81
the formation of trusts to control all
the necessaries of life and so great
the power of corporate monopoly that
it will require the combined efforts of
both the State and the Federal Gov
eminent to restrain and hold them in
check. Already almost every article
in common daily use and of prime ne
cessity in everyday life is controlled by
trusts, and the wholesale combinations
made in trade and transportation. are
rapidly closing to the young men of
the country every avenue to successful
business enterprise. To curb these gil
gantic combinations and protect the
people against the insatiate demands
of corporate greed more ample power
must be given the Legislature. The
safety of the people must be made the
supreme law, and this maxim must be
embedded and vitalized in the consti-
discussing the matter but has found
no adequate remedy, and the Legisla-
ture, hampered by a constitution franz
ed to meet other conditions has been
equally unsuccessful. Now we owe
it to the people to give them a chance
to act. They are sovereign and can
find and, apply remedy.
Third. A better and safer method of
selecting judicial officers.
Georgia has in her past history en-
ployed at different times four different
ways in naming these officers, but it
can be safely said that the present
mode is the most Objectionable of all.
1t will not do, and this is being demon
strated every day, to have the officers
who are to sit in.judgment on the rights
and liberties of the people chosen in
the arena of partisan and sometimes
corrupt politics. We have as vet had
no corrupt judges, but under the pres
ent system it is only a question of
time when we will
There are many other respects in
which the present constitution could be
greatly improved.
Taxation of Railroads.
Much complaint has been heard in
the recent past that the railroads in
the state are not bearing their proper
tomato share of the burthen of taxa
ton. In some cases this complaint
has been just; in others unjust.
l recommend that a law be enacted
making the aggregate market value of
all the stock and bonds of q railroad
partly or wholly in this state the basis
OF taxation of such railroad when its
stocks or bonds. or both. have a mar
ket value and that when they have no
market value the price at which the
materials in the road and equipment