The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1909-03-05
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Opposed by Missouri Referendum
League strong Reasons for
Their Position.

The Referendum League OF Mis-
souri, has voted unanimously to OPP
pose the calling of Constitutional
Convention to frame IA new constitn-
ton for Missouri and to instruct its
officers to voice this protest against
IL. We look upon this move to call
a constitutional convention as sim
ply conspiracy to defeat and null
lifv the will OF the people as ex-
pressed at the last election.
The Initiative and Referendum
were adopted by the people OF Mis-
souri, by the largest majority of any
amendment or candidate on the
ticket. For this reason the enemies
of these measures dare not attack
them openly and above board, be-
cause they know II would be useless.
They are therefore trying to accom-
plish their sinister purpose IN an in
direct and underhanded manner, by
calling constitutional convention
which they aim to control and thus
to frame new constitution, leaving
out the Initiative and Referendum
entirely. They also aim to deprive
us Of some of the admirable features
contained in the bill of rights of the
present constitution and to add such
restrictions in the new constitution
that will make IL practically impos-
sible to ever change it in the future.
The constitutional convention will
involve the State In vast eNpendi-
ture OF money and for no other pur-
pose than To defeat the will of the
people. Our present constitution ID
one OF the very best in the United
' States, and only needs minoi
changes which can be made from
time to time rs they are needed
The new constitution would alsC
need to be changed just as much al
. and more perhaps than the presen
one.
:, There can be no such thing n
= finality in constitutions. The gren
l. English Statesman Gladstone speak
ing in the House Of Commons oi
= the subject OF constitutions In lS7
l. said: AT group of the wises
re men on the earth were to get to
1t gether and frame the best constitu
he ton that they could think of,
II would need to he amended befor
l. the ink was dry on the document
r The only perfect constitution is on
that Is changing all the time to NEE
Id new conditions rs they arise an
hr the need becomes manifest
ie We have such IA constitution
III Missouri now that has served OF
State admirably for many year
'n and that Hon. James Bryce, Il
he distinguished statesman and auth'
=. of american Commonwealth,
We said, was one of the best constit'
tiOns in the united States, and "
are sure that we would not be lab
to get better one from cOnstit
Il tional convention that would vel
nd likely be dominated and controll'
,is by special privilege monopolies AT
ID. designing coteries of big cinche
N. and other interests hostile to Il
,st welfare of the people.
,is For these reasons we are Oppose
of to this constitutional conventi'
" and request the aid and cooperate
he of every honest man TO defeat
X These facts we will proclaim (
nd and wide all over the State, and '
OIL expect to arouse the people of MI
Gle souri, to realize the dangerous cha
Of acter of this conspiracy that is /
ing Matched against their welfal
me We are confident that the only thi
necessary to defeat this nefario
oil plot il to drag it out into the Liz
OF day, where public scrutiny m
,co be focused upon It.
4, w. 7. HILL, President
STEPHEN RYAN, Secretary.