The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1906-08-15
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION HOT AIR

EUuSlneSS, STATES GHaL Tue people Oh
the Southern part Of the state are
still manifesing alively interest
in the proposed constitutional con-
vention, and that they will insist
on this being made the paramount
issue of the state campaign next
year, both in election of a govern
or and members of tile legisIa-
ture. In brief, the candidate who
fails to express sympathy with
the movement need not expect
much support in the Southern
part of the state.
This declaration is significant,
inasmuch as Senator Mounger is
the originator of the demand
that the southern counties be ac-
corded larger representation ia
the legislature, and that the consti-
tuition be so amended as to permit
of new apportionment being
made. On the floor of the senate
he eloquently set forth the in
equality and injustice of the
present apportionment, and intro
duced a constitutional amendment
on the subject at the past two
sessions, but it failed to secure
consideration.
Senator Mounger believes that
there are other changes needed
in our organic law that will Justify
a constitutional convention for the
reformation of the document, and
especially since the recent legisla-
tive sessions have shown no dis
position to remedy existing evils.
jackson Evening News, 10th.
The above is a fair sample of
the cheap talk being INDUCED in.
by few lightweight politicians,
who imagine themselves states
men, and very few newspapers,
with the jackson News taking the
lead, to work up sentiment in
favor of constitutional Conven-
ton. The Leader denies that
there is any considerable demand
among the people of South Mis-
sissippi or any other portion Of
the State in favor of a Constitu-
tional Convention, and it challen-
ges the News and Mr.. Mounger
or any one else favoring the prop
osition, to make good the claim.
The Leader favors a new, legis-
lative apportionment, provided
there is no material increase in the
total number Of the members of
the Legislature; we favor a
change of the present constitutional
provision for the distribution of
the public school funds to the sew
eral counties, and also some more
effective method of securing
honest and equitable land assess
ments throughout the State; but
there is no good sense or reason
in going to the expense and risk
of holding constitutional con-
vention and placing in jeopardy
all Of the best provisions of our
present organic law, in order to
secure these ends. The fact is,
the Constitution needs no amend
ing to enable the Legislature to
adopt new apportionment and
to provide a better and more
equitable assessment law. The
section Of the Constitution reg
ulating the school fund distrlbu-
tion can be and ought to be
changed by the adoption of an
amendment.
This clamor by few for Con-
sional Convention will not bear
close analysis. If legislature,
of which Mr.. Mounger is mem
ber, and which is supposed to be
abnve the average of the masses
in intelligence, could not be
made by him and others to see the
necessity fora reapportlonment, or
the submission of constitutional
amendments, how can it be ex-
pected to secure another Legisla-
ture made up under the old ap-
portionment, to take the much
greater and more hazardous step
|of calling a Convention to recast
the whole organic lawg If it be
answered that it can be done by
making the calling of Con
stitutionaI Convention the para
mount issue 10 the election of
members Of the next Legislature,
as Mr.. Moungar proposes, itmust
be remembered that The constltu
encies under the existing appor-
Ifi0nnqnf will All hnId their nrn.
sent representative strength and
be more apt TO defeat the general
proposition, than if the fight were
made to elect members of the Leg,
lislature who we're committed only
to vote for certain amendments
which, Of themselves, are conced
ed to be fair and reasonable.
Lincoln is fully up to the aver.
age Of South Mississippi counties
-. .41.<s =. +