Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1905-02-01
OLD
CRAFTS
STAND
Thirteen Senator's Re-
fuse to Further Stul-
tify Themselves
And Go on Record in Favor of
a Convention to Revise
the Constitution

The Brownell constitutional conven-
tion bill was read. 1t provides for a
convention in Salem January s, 1906,
with 80 members, 60 to be elected June
5, 1905, and 80 to be appointed by the
supreme court. Not more than two
thirds of the latter shall be appointed
from one political party. Senator
Brownell at once arose and made sue
cinct statement of the provisions of the
bill. He started out by stating that
all members of the senate were simply
servants of the people, and that, as
such, they should simply perform their
full duty. He had been taught that a
constitution should, under all circum-
stances, be held sacred and inviolate
by every public official, as we'll as pri-
vate citizen. He then charged that
there had never been an official in the
state, including himself, who had not
NAhhtu ol kluoS NlOldNAuno VI Tue Oiu
constitutions. He then went on to
show that, under tho decision of our
supreme court, none of the state insti-
tutions or schools not at the seat of
government had legal right to exist.
He also pointed out that the appro
priatiOns for all these institutions
might at any time be enjoined and es-
topped. With this in view he thought
it would only be fair and decent to
have a constitution that would not re-
quire every state institution not at
Salem to live under a cloud of uncon-
stitutionality. He showed that the
present constitution was adopted be-
fore Lincoln was President, and that
our commonwealth had outgrown it's
provisions.
Next Senator Brownell stated that
he wished to strike out the provision
of the bill requiring the supreme court
to appoint 80 of the delegates. This
provision was the fruit of the commit
tees labors, and, while it was, in a
sense, good thing, he preferred to
have it removed He then pictured how
Governor Chamberlain and his friends
might, after the convention, composed
in part of appointed delegates, go
people how the Republican Legislature
had deprived them of the right to
elect their own delegates.
Senator Brownell then pointed out
the fact that the constitution conflicts
with the national constitution. He re-
ferred especially to the words free"
and "white,' in reference to citizens.
Next he pointed out that the fiat sal
ary feature alone was sufficient reason
for a new constitution. He reviewed
the salaries provided by the constitu-
tion, and then showed what burlesque
it is to have state officers grow rich
on petty salaries He charged that
nearly every state officers salary was
open to the inroads Of corruption and
dishonesty. He advocated that, among
other things the new constitution
ought give the governor authority to
veto any item in an appropriation bill.
He then advocated a reorganization of
the Judiciary of the state, including the
supreme and circuit courts, and also
suggested a reorganization of the land
department. He pointed out the in
congruity of the secretary of state be-
ing the states purchasing agent, and
at the same time the auditor of his own
accounts. He showed how unbusiness
like it is to have the state printer pro
tected in an everlasting sineeure cell
in the name of the old constitution.
Senator Brownell spoke eloquently
and clearly for half an hour, and really
made favorable impression upon the
minds of his hearers, and the senate
chamber was packed with visitors He
resented the insinuation that the main
object of the convention is to kill the
initiative and referendum, and showed
that he was the prime mover for that
law. He felt hurt and chagrined that
.b;s oharoa sbouId come from the class