The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-01-15
Florida Requires a
New Constitution.

The Journal has noted that the
press of Florida is stirred up upon the
question as to whether or not a new
constitution is needed. Most of the
editorials written on the subject are
rather inquisitive than positive, using
the headline: DO we need a new
constitution Among these may be
mentioned the DeLand Record and
the Tallahassee True Democrat.
The Palatka News, however, is as
sertiVe in its position that a new
COZ stitutiOn is needed" and comment
ing on the question has this to say:
Recently the state of Georgia, tired
of the negro's menace and growing
importance as a balance of power in
the affairs of various counties and
even the state at large, determined
upon a DISTINGUISHING amendment to
tie state constitution. This amend
ment was finally passed, and though
tile majority was small, the negro has
been eliminated from the politics of
Georgia.
If Florida desires that its govern
mcnt shall remain in the hands of its
citizens of AngIo-Saxon blood, it. too,
viii be Obliged to incorporate that de
sire in the fundamental law of the
state.
The negro is a menace TO the NOR
al and political advancement of the
state INSCRIPTIONS fractional leaders
are often caught in the act of solicit
ing his vote. In the settlement of
moral questions, always non-partisan,
the negro race lines up practically
solid for the immoral
Take as an example the local op-
ton election OF a year ago in Putnam
county. But few negroes were quail
led to vote and tae question was
pI practically settled by the white voters
the county voted at that time to out
law the sale OF liquor. Since that
time more than 200 negroes have
cal option election, which the liquor
interests will strive to bring about
next September. They will vote for
liquor. 80 out of hundred of them.
IN a contest of this kind between
ALglo-SaXons there is a satisfaction
to either side in the settlement. But
when it is known that the negro was
brought in to settle it for us-there
is social and political nausea.
II the people of tne state wish to
eliminate the negro as political fac
ter, there is but one way to do it-a
constitutional convention Such a
convention could do the trick and vet
leave the latch-string to the door of
hope hanging on the outside for the
worthy negro and those who are am
bilious to become such
Give us the convention
In quoting the above, The Journal
has been DESTROYS of giving wide ex-
preston TO an idea which governs
the bulk of southern opinion. But
there are other reasons why A state
convention should be called to pass a
new constitution. These reasons are
mere weigthy even than the solution
of problem of the kind mentioned
by the News. They refer to the char
acter Of the instrument itself-grown
sntiquated by the tWenty.four years
which have elapsed since its adoption
the constitution of Florida contains
provisions which do not belong in the
basic laws OF the state. 1t prescribes
an fundamental and Interchangeable
rules of government conceptions which
properly belong TO legislative enact
ment. IL is a pot pourri, so to speak.
mixture, something which requires
/ tAe intelligent correction of the peo-
pie of the state with the view to elm
mate from it everything that is super
fioial and to make it what il should
be: the base on whose strength all
laws may be imposed without danger
of collapse.
The News, no doubt, ecnoed the SEN
timent of great part of Florida's
people. It's contention is. without
doubt, true. AS matter of expedien-
CIV it is a strong argument for the
holding of constitutional convention
But should the convention be called
and The journal hopes it VIII be
its first consideration should not be
one of expediency. of temporary ne
cessity, but should cover the REQUIRE
ments of the state for good govern
ment, from first TO last.