The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-02-23

war between the states was Hon. A
L. ATcCaskill of Walton county, who
was a member of the convention of
1861, known as the secession conyen-
ton, and also a member Of the con-
vention of 1885.
The constitution was not a formal
instrument, but was the result of much
controversy and We might say at best,
as all such instruments are, and in
fact all constitutions are, more or less
instruments of compromise. The ableSt
men of the convention differed as to
the best mode OF selecting judges; the
one party contending that an appoint
ed Judiciary insures the best judges
while the others contended for the
elective mode of selecting judges.
This contention resulted in compro-
mise, by appointing the circuit judges
and eiecting the supreme judges
At that time the republican party
was in power in some of the counties,
and sent some of their ablest men,
notably EX-Chief Justice Randall and
Hon. James R. Challen of Jacksonville,
who fought every measure to the last
ditch. James K. Chauen was the au-
thor OF the section of the constitution
known as the drainage article. There
We're some changes made that had
never before existed in our state; such
as authorizing special legislation, and
every legislature seems to have util-
lied this provision, for it seems that
they have more special than general
legislation.
The constitution of 1885 retains the
same exemptions as the one of 1868.
There was quite contention over this
article as our constitution affixes no
value to improvements upon the home
stead, many contending that most of
the other states limited the value of
the improvements and some contend
ing that the amount ought to be re-
duced; as the only thing that should
be exempt, was sufficient property to
keep the debtor from pauperism, as
the laws were supposed to be founded
in honesty and justice, and the laws
Should be SO guarded as not to per-
INIT one to rob his neighbor under the
guise of law. To say that any men
could frame constitution that would
be perfect, with all the changing de-
mands of progressive people, would
be attributing almost miraculous or
divine power. But the careful reader
OF the political history of the state
Will be compelled to admit, that, al
though the constitution of 1885 had, as
all constitutions have when viewed
from the retrospect, many defects, yet
1t was at the time, the best that could
have been devised.
Like all other public Bodies, which
constitute the assembling of men for
public duty, most of the labor was
performed by men who showed them
serves worthy to be recognized as lead
ers; that convention was framed in
fIaxy
to be leaders of men, by their untiring
efforts to secure a conservative instru-
ment- West Florida took no small part
nthis work Among the men who
lead In the convention, no one excelled
IN shaping and framing it more than
the Hon. w. A. Blount, of Escambia
county, who by his forcefuI logic Of
ten checked the eloquent speech of
the politician who appealed to the
passion rather than to the reason of
men, and who has since shown his
great ability as senator from his dis
tricd He introduced a bill that has
done more to advance the educational
interest OF the state than any other
school law ever passed -
legislature. / refer to the bill known
to the educators Of the state as ''the
BlOunt bill" Being a very able man
anu % 10 WY Ci Vi ullICudl
his counSels were always listened to
with the greatest attention and had the
confidence of every one. AS he was
man of unquestionable character and
truth, every enc was convinced that
whatever he proposed was for the
public good. No suspicion rested in
the heart of any one that he had
any sinister motives; this gave him
all requisites Of a successful leader.
Many more of the men who composed
that body have served their state with
ability, and some are still serving the
public well.
Among this number was Hon. Sam
ueI Pasco, who has since served
twelve years in the United States sen
ate; Hon. R. F. Taylor, who is now
| judge of our supreme court, and is
mum bered among the ablest judges OF
the South; also w. A. Hooker, now
one of the justices of the supreme
court; Hon. J. w. Malone, who has
been the past Is or 20 years judge
! Of the second judicial circuit court OF
Florida, and one of the ablest, if not
| the ablest judge in the state. A few
more years and the men who com
posed this body will have passed away
and will be known only in the his
tory of their deeds.
| There seems to be clamor on the
part of some for another convention
it is doubtful if the same number OF
1 men, with tue same ability, patriotism
/ and conservative views, could now be
! elected by the people of this state, as
those who assembled in Tallahassee
II 1885.
! Now the only difficulty in amending
/ the present constitution is, in my
/ Judgment, the manner of submitting
/! it to the people for ratification or re
/ lection Amendments are submitted
i at a general election. when the candi
I dates are each looking after their OWL
] election and the voter is not Informed
/ at all CT to z very limited extent as
4 to the purpose for which such amend
! ments are made, or why they should
be required, and very often they refuse
[ to vote at all. If such amendments
/, were submitted at different time, il