The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1906-07-10
MR.. THACKER
HAS IDEAS
RELATIVE TO THE CON
STITUTIONAL CON
vENTlON
DELEGATES At LARGE
Should be Named. plans
for the Work.
- zsIwzyKk
Special to Daily Leader.

Special to Daily Leader.
Mangum. June 9.-Editor Leader
am not a candidate and shall not be a
member OF the coming constitutional
convention but. as citizen, am In
tensqy interested In the question OF
the contents OF the document to be
frar;sd bv that convention, and incl
detally. In the characters abilities and
mental attitudes OF the men to be select
ed for this WORK.
with thelight Of n knowledge Of the
contents and operation OF each Of the
forty-fve state constitutions heretofore
made and adopted before them. the del
eEates TO this convention, with utmost
care as to the ends to be attained and
means Of attaining the same, should be
able TO work out constitution per-
Tectiy adapted TO accomplish the high
est conception Of government OF. for,
and by the people in fewer words than
are employed in any other state constitu-
tion.
/ have not studied the subject so as
TO have positive convictions as to many
Of the numerous subordinate questions
suggesting themselves; but l have very
positive convictions as to the principles
that should underlie and mark the out
lines Of the instrument and also as to
some special features that should char
acterize II.
The fundamental error most conspic-
nous IN the constitutions Of our sister
states Is traceable to the ludicrous con-
ceit OF delegates who assume that they
are wiser and more patriotic than their
descendants will be and know more
about the future than the people OF the
future viii know; and this conceit is
manifested In the limitations upon leg
islative power, the only power through
which the people can work their will.
Let the constitution throw around the
legislative assemblies Of the state every
possible safeguard against both lgnor-
ance and dishonesty; but don't deprive
the assemblies OF the power 10 enact
any law the Seople may desire. within
thepurview OF the legislative power in
herent in the people OF a state OF thss
Union.
II has too often occurred that con-
stitutional inhibitions against certain
classes OF legislation, intended perhaps
20 prevent only harmful laws. haze PROV
en- 60 be two edged swords. in the hands
OF the courts, and that the most whole
some laws. laws clearly in the interest
OF the people at large. laws demanded
by the people, have been stricken life
less by them
in those instances IN which It may
seem 10 delegates TO be against the pub
lie good to permit the future assemblies
10 legislate. let the convention. instead
Of prohibiting, provide that such laws
shah not 90 into effect until at least
sixty days after the adjournment Of the
assemblies, nor then. II. within said time
a certain numberof electors Of the state
or subdivision affected. demand an cleo
tion and vote on the question as "a
whether such laws shall 90 into effect
which demand should have the effect e
further suspend such laws until the re-
suit OF the election is found and de.
clared TO be in favor OF the same.
Let the convention say how but not
what may be done by the assemblies Of
the state: and let the constitution bt
written in recognition OF the fact thai
growth and change In conditions ar
fected by legislation is certain. that ths
wants and necessities OF the peopl,
change, and that the duties OF the con-
vention are simply TO provide safe means
through which the people OF the future
may govern themselves without having
first 10 amend the constitution: and IL
my Judgment, 1t can be so written that
ane.-s.,.,l.l viii never be necessary.
Write the constitution so that. with
out eaanging the constitution, the stat,