The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-06-03

all the votes cas-, attire c-c-..., r-.--.
be recorded either for or against 1t,
and while one amendment is pending
no new amendment can be presented.
From time to time We have had
amendments proposed and from time
to time they have neither been adopt
ed nor rejected, because a majority of
all the votes cast at the election was
not received for or against. At the
last general election, for the third
time, the lawyers qualification amend
ment was not ratified, although it re-
ceived a very large majority OF those
voting upon 1t.
A Bar to Amendments.
Therefore. those who were desir-
Gus Of equal suffrage found themselves
unable to present such an amendment
to the legislature; those who believed
in statewide prohibition likewise
could not; nor could those who be-
lieved in the initiative. referendum
and recall. Each proposed reform or
change found itself suddenly stopped,
authorizing a special election upon the
question of the qualifications Of at
torneys should be passed. l found.
upon investigation, that the expense
of such an election would not be less
than 100000. / also found that in no
possible event could the people vote
upon any change in their organic law
at any regular election earlier than
1914.
II had become convinced, in talking
with thoughtful men throughout the
state, that there undoubtedly were
certain changes in the constitution
which would meet the approval of
right thinking men regardless Of their
political views. had also become
convinced that it would cost much to-
hold constitutional convention and
that convention might never agree
upon a document to be presented to
the people. l found that the expense
OF the constitutional convention Of
1851 was $S2.536.57. and this at time
when everything was more cheaply
done than at present and when the
compensation of the members was
limited to $500 per diem. With vari-
Gus views touching equal suffrage.
statewide prohibition, the initiative.
referendum and recall, commission
form of government for cities, ETC., ex-
tant, the result of convention at the
present time would be, concluded,
greatly in doubt. l believed then as
do now that such convention would
be fraught with great danger and
would shake the state into a passion
by the bitterness which the various
advocates of proposed reforms would
display. l could not see how 1t would
be otherwise than that political ran
cor and party spirit would very large
ly enter into the personnel Of the con-
vention. l think was right, for q
large number Of partisans now are as
saulting the new constitution, not by
reason Of any change In our system
of government which 1t contains, but
because of a desire to ruin the stand
ing of the governor Of Indiana with
the people Of his state. l am con-
WINGED that il constitutional conven-
tion did succeed in presenting a new
document that the document itself
would be rendered uncertain or I'M
wise by the intensity OF political pref
long drawn out and expensive. could
not figure the expense at less than
$450.0O0-nearly a half million Of the
peoples money-to depend upon q
mere chance.
Faith In Majority's Good Sense.
ct therefore impressed me that to
spend 100000 to dispose Of the ques-
ton of the lawyers qualifications and
wait until 1914 to submit another
amendment, or to spend half million
dollars and take the chance Of a con-
stitutional convention submitting a
document which would meet with ap-
proval, would be unwise, bad financial
ly and bad politically for the people
Of the state.
"The expense and doubts involved
led to the course adopted. When the
legal battle has cleared away, if the
document remains for adoption or re-
lection, then partisan antagonists with
flne-toothed combs will be attacking
this phrase and that phrase and en-
deavoring to defeat adoption. Not
withstanding all which will come to
pass, l still have an abiding faith in
the judgment and good sense OF a ma
jority Of the people Of Indiana regard
less Of politics. I believe that the doc
ument itself will be examined in the
light of the needs of today and Of the
evils which it seeks to correct. l
have not right to ask anything per-
sonal Of the people Of Indiana. but I
have q right to ask, and do ask, that
this document receive thoughtful, pa
triotic and unprejudiced consideration
from every man who wants the best
things for Indiana
American constitutions are much
the same in their character. and be
fore the people come to vote upon this
document they will ascertain in what
particulars it differs from the one un
der which we are now living. 1t will
be presented to them at an expense
of n,t to exceed $4,000 plus the ex
pense of litigation, for which l am not
10 blame. If it does not suit the peo
pie they will be in no worse condition