The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-01-30

revision as II was demanded and
thought so important matter should
mot be summarily disposed of in this
manner He stated that he had law
yers, judges and congressman advis-
ing and assuring him their support
and well wishes that the constitution
be revised. 3
Mr.. Strickling took occasion 10 reply
To the charge of the dark ages by say
ing. 1T may be that i can't measure
mp with the gentlemen from the en-
! iightened county of MarshaIl aud
probably us people of Tyler live in
the dark ages, but We have some ideas
in regard to revising our constitution.
he conceded that the constitution is
not, by any means, what It should be,
but he was very peculiar about the
method employed In revising 1t. He
thought nothing could be gained by
having commission working the
same because OF the fact that the work
of commissions were seldom acepta.
BILE to body that did not authorize
them to do the work. He cited only
one instance where a commission had
lbeen successful in iischarging their
duties and that was the tax commits.
sion. He said Mr.. Hubbard had ad.
vfsed agains. small commission aud
had urged large commission for
this important task.
Mr.: Pearson agreed with Mr.. strick.
| ling that the people should be consult
ed in a.matter OF this sort. He
thought 1t would not be right to trust
the preparation of the constitution,
of this State to committee Of law.
yers as they would not represent ev-
cry interest OF the State and that when
q new constitution was adopted It
must represent every interest within
the State. The constitution, he said,
stated that the proper way to amend
the present one was by the way OF a
constitutional convention and he
thought it the proper way.
Mr.. Roach disclaimed that 1t was
his idea to keep the measure from
being properly discussed and stated
that he did not believe small com
mission could properly revise the con-
stitution of West Virginia.
Mr.. Evans was not in favor Of in.
definitely postponing the resolution,
as he thought the present instrument
deficient in many respects as it was
formed in 1872, when the State was
young and had since grown to be a
moss-back constitution and should now
lie Strengthened out. He thought It
such an important matter that it
would be an injustice to not adopt
this resolution drawn up In good faith.
MIR. Massey, who was acting as speak
er, called the question and viva
voce vote showed the motion had pre-.
vailed Mr.. Massey SO announced, but
some questioned the vote and Mr.. Par.
sons arose after the decision and stat
ed that he thought he should be al.
lowed to close the debate and that he
had also wished to ask for a division.
A minute afterward Mr.. wetzel secir-
ed recognition from the chair and stat
ed that 1.-THE speaker of this House
Is its servant and not its master and
must respectfully ask that, the gen.
tlemani from Marshall be given his
lights Mr. Massey Withdrew his de,
cislon with the unanimous consent OF
the House and Mr.. Parsons again
came out boldly for, his resolution.
He explained that the intent of the
resolution was to have the matter
Strengthened out SO the legislature
could consider It and then submit it
to the people and then he did not
think anything toward revision
could be accomplished in less than
!, four years. He said II five men were
not enough to form commission, let
them name how many should go on a
commission of this character. That
he thought the people and newspapers
would ag!tate the question and the
\ revision must be made and II not by
9 commission, how would It be done
4 Mr.. Strickling came back again and
said he had always entertained de,i.
eacy about changing the constitution
OF this State the same as is entertain
ed about changing the great document
the constitution Of the United States,
but said there would be resolution in.
troduced to call constitutional con.
vention for the purpose of revising
4 the constitution.