Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-11-26
CONSTITUTION REVISION By IrerIA.

TURE.
Representative Windham, comment
ing upon the proposed special session Of
the legislature to convene for the ex-
press purpose Of submitting a series of
amendments to the state constitution,
expresses a preference for revision by a
constitutional convention rather than the
legislature. From the point of view of
the lawyer this idea may be sound, but
from the viewpoint Of the taxpayer and
citizen revision by a constitutional con-
vention would not meet the emergency.
Revision by a constitutional conven-
ton could not possibly be completely eff
fected before 1909, while revision by the
legislature would go into effect immedi-
ately after the legislative canvass the
first week in January, 1907. The most
expeditions way of securing constitu-
tional revision by convention would be
to call an extra session Of the legislature
this winter and have that body submit
to the electors of Nebraska proposition
to call a constitutional convention
This proposition would have to be sub
mitted at the general election in Novem-
Der, 1906 and IL the legislature that will
convene in January, 1907, shall ascertain
by canvass that majority of the people
have voted in favor Of calling a cOnven-
ton, that legislature would be required
to make provision for the election Of a
convention to consist of 100 members
which election could not be held much
sooner than April or May, 1907, and the
constitutional convention would not con-
vene until three months thereafter, or in
July or August, 1907.
Inasmuch as the constitution requires
the publication of the proposed new CON
stitution, or proposed amendments to the
old constitution, thirteen weeks prior TO
the general election, the adoption of the
new constitution could not be voted on
at the November election in 1907, but its
submission would have to be deferred
until the general election of 190S-a pres
idential election year-and consequently
would not go into effect until January,
1909.
On the other hand, the present legisla-
ture, if convened in extra session any
time this winter can readily agree
within twenty days upon a set of amend
ments covering all the main points that
experience has shown to- be defective,
and have these amendments submitted
for ratification at the election in No
vember, 1906.
Quite apart from the advantage of ex-
pediting the adoption of the constitu-
tional reforms that have become impera.
/ tive, the proposed revision of the consti-
| tuition by the legislature would effect a
great saving in expense and, moreover
enable the state to elect additional
judges of the supreme court and such
state officers as are created by the
amendments at the general election next
year contingent upon the ratification OF
the amendments by the people, whereas
the election of additional judges of the
supreme court and other state officers
could not otherwise he held before 1908
The most conservative estimate of the
difference in the expense of holding q
constitutional convention and cost Of g
special session of the legislature is $50,
600, and this does not include the differ
ence in the cost of publication Of new
constitution and amendments to the con
stitution.