The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1911-02-15

pie of the state, were of one opinion
concerning the right of this general
assembly to submit the question to a
vote of the people.
Il have convinced myself from q
careful study of conditions throughout
the state. that there is need of changes
in the constitution. The matter of fran
chise is too loosely controlled. There
was feeling that sixty-one days was
too short time for careful considera-
ton of legislation actually needed by
the state, because of the growth and
business of the state. 1 found wide
spread sentiment in favor of the en-
actment of compensation and employ
ers' liability laws. And while 1 believe
that there is no occasion now, nor has
there been. for the people to exercise
the right of the referendum and recall.
l am convinced that as the state pro-
ceeds and it's government becomes
more and more complex, there will be
need of some such measures. 1t will be
observed that the power to exercise
these rights is discretionary and not
compulsory.
When I first began consideration of
the question 1 called into consultation
"
and asked them to the best manner
in which to proceed. 1t was suggested
by an excellent man, whose name I do
not care here to use, that If 1 were to
examine carefully the conditions sur
rounding the adoption of the present
cons tuition. that 1 would find a way
| to accomplish what ! felt should be
| accomplished. and thus to get around
! the vexing question of whether there is
| a proposed amendment before the peo-
| pie, because of the failure of the pro-
posed amendment concerning the quail
| fcations of lawyers to receive MAORI
| ty of the total votes cast in the lasr
general election. l acted on this sug-
gestion and found the right as 1 have
previously outlined 1 called these
| same lawyers to consult on this Ques-
| ton and found they agreed with me-
On the strength of this we have launch
| ed our movement In the assembly"
There are indications that the repub-
licans of the senate will line up against
| the proposed method of getting a new
draft of the constitution before the
| people. Several of them have taker
the ground that the people should be
allowed to decide what measures shoult
go into a new constitution through q
/ constitutional convention called for tn,
special purpose, but they admit there
is nothing in the present constitution
to prohibit the method proposed by the
democrats being pursued.
Senator Stotsenburg, the democratic,
floor leader of the senate, says the
method of adopting a draft of a new
constitution by the legislature and
submitting it to the vote of the people
is not contrary to the present consti
tuition. There is nothing in the presen
constitution. he says. which would pre-
vent such a plan. The section of the
constitution cited by Senator Stotsen
burg as indirectly authorizing the con
templated procedure reads as follows
I'VE declare that all men are created
equal; that they are endowed by thei
/ Creator with certain inalienable rights
that among these are life. liberty ant
the pursuit of happiness: that all pow
err is inherent in people; that all FREE
I governments are, and of right ough
to be, founded on their authority, ant
instituted for their peace, safety ans
we'll being. For the advancement o
these ends, the people have at all times
an indefeasible right to alter the re
form their government
The right to change the constitu
ton is inherent in the people," sail
Senator -Stotsenburg. The people hav'
sent US to the legislature TO represen
them and the legislators have the RICH
to submit a new constitution to tn
voto of the people"
Senator Stotsenburg says there /
nothing in the present constitution pro
viding specifically the way in which
new constitution may be created an
adopted. The cons titution does pro
vide a way for proposing and ADOPTING
amendments.
, THE question of a new constitution
is not the proper subject for a part
caucus" said Senator Wood, republican
floor leader. LAS far as l personal
~ concerned, I don't think the repub
Hcans should caucus on II. The powe
of creating a new constitution belong
. to the people. They should frame it
terms themselves through the metho
, | of a constitutional convention. This
rot a matter for legislative action. w
were not sent to this legislature I
, frame up q new constitution. Many o
us were elected as the result of the op
ton question. or some other ques ito
foreign to the question of a new con
stitution.
The matter of a new constitutio
a should be passed upon by men selecte
! by the people on account of their spe