Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-08-04

Especial Correspondence to hafnlnK JournAll
Deminr. n 81. Aug Tho task
which lies Delorc the people NJ New
Mexico Ia framing their fundamcutel
law forthe new state was most clearly
and fo%rcefully outlined saturday
night at the republican county COM
venfion here By Ralph G. Ely, who
was unanimously nominated ~ the
candidate Tor delegate 10 the consti-
futionRl convention from tnis county,
Mr.. Ely's address which rs worthy
the careful perusal Of rvery citizen.
was in fun as follows.
Mr. Chairman Gentlemen Of the
Convention There has never been q
greater privilege accorded nae than
to stand for election IN such an is-
sue and nom such "a county. Tho
actloB 81 Vour central committee iu
calling this convention iu inviting
r8li repuhilepn citizens OF the county,
Irrespective o. past party atfiliation,
Who ara la favor nj framing "a consti-
tuition for the propnEed new state the
provisions of which viii equally pro-
tact the rights aud liheriles Of the
whole people, IN the fullest measure.
and guarantee q fair opportunity Tor
every legitimate Investment 81 cap
ital. ARE requested 70 participate "a
said primaries,
A constitution is from ifF very ma
fnfe essentially neu-paftisAn. it Ca
the foundation upon which the spper-
structure Of our state 81 To ne erected
IL ia the framr work abnui which the.
nfeuefy Of cur Laws II 70 be arranged
our institutions. deflnes onr inalien-
our institutions. declines our inallien-
able rights as Il people. OF which no
Legislature can depf i've rs, which no
court ran deny 10 MS. and upon which
no executive a lutrude. II viii IN
the duties. the powers. and. tho priv
Eiegeg Of the several departments Of
or government. mark their limita-.
tions IN relation 70 d another limit
tho scope 81 their authority IL Is es-
suntihlls q fundamental act creating
che machinery Of government and
whether II " drafted AZ a single it.
ST. gment by a representative body OF
men on " q gradual growth OF pTece-
dent like the English constitution Il
is siiii fundamental IA it, conception
arm ta its nature. The constitution
III a state In d representative form ~
government such - ours when Isl
drafted and adopted by the people,
should and must define merely the
methods bs whieh theg VIII rule
ihemseiSes throagll their regularly
elected Representatives Any attempt
on the lAft of the constitutional con-
Ventlon 10 prescribe 81 adopt laws
governing the people themselves IN
any o. the departments Of lie VIII be
4 uanfpatinn III "A power on the part
81 this convention and IA uaNesty IN
nnnetitution.nnking. After our suatc.
Is onfe 'hftAted ~ will then through
our icgislAtpres prescribe the inwA ny
which We VIII govern ourselves ana
regulate our affairs.
Oui friends. who are geaions for.
seod government equally with our
Aslv.A. appear 70 ne netHated ht "a.
ton great zeBl ~ their endeayor 10
Incorporate into g eons.itation for
this new state many provisions en-
tireiy praiseworths In themselves
bat from their very nature repuR
neht 10 the idea at u constitution
we arc not qnarreling with them ~
10 thc ~desitnhiiitN Of nm Australian
ballot system or q primary election
law. the initiative, tic referendum
ana the recoll AS features 90 govern
ment: but when W sound the SLOGAN
for a safe. sane and a Fundamentally
simple constitution. we are saying 90
them that We desire 20 formulate q
constitution fof ont new state which
viii protect eW people Ia IN their
liberties to-day and will provide All
scheme % government - simple. SO
classic. SO adaptable Go the changing
conditions and 20 the progress ~ a.
great people, that everything which
Is good Ia the way al statute law may
BE- enacted by their representatives.
M the legisleturs ana may hc made
effective by vigorous enforcement
through their executive.
have not time. nor ~ this tile III
tins moment % enter into an citber-
ate discussion 81 these various meas !
prss. but ! em sure That YOU Viii in
dulgc ne while } illustrate the prin
clpie thar e involved By e hiief dis
snssion 90 TWO propositions which are
Interesting the people. We Win take
foi the first Illustration the sngRes-
upn m q state tax commission d. be
elected bS the people such Is cum-
mission can be provided tor hy the
constitution and clothed with definltel
power exactly the same as the cons
futufien ran provide for the offices
~ secretary 90 state or q state treas
uter or g state auditor No one fea-
tufe % the executive department OF
our government viii be moro vitality