The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1912-04-13
FOR CONSTITUTIONAL LAW.
Joe L. M MILAN.
Editor News:

FOTN SOINo ! - ! IONHE LAW.
Editor News
AS you have invited communications
Oh the issue of Commission Form of
Government, herewith submit to you
some facts of history, present condi-
tons, and law on the subject.
The war of 1776 was brought about
Gy the oppression of the mother coun-
Try imposed on her subjects in the
American colonies, denying them the
same rights granted to her subjects
at home; and these were inherent
God-given rights, as well as rights
granted by the Magma Charta;" these
rights our forefathers were compelled
to enforce by the strong arm of revo-
luton and war. After the close OF
this war the colonies were converted
into thirteen states, a constitution
framed and finally adopted in 1889 by
them ALL under which, together with
it's later amendments we are today
living as the organic law, enjoying
the natural and inherent rights, privi-
leges and immunities of a free and
liberty-loving people.
At one time these rights and privi-
leges were assailed under the guise of
law, resulting in the war of 1S6l-65,
and at the expense of millions in mon
ey, and countless honorable and valua-
BILE lives; by which a race of people
were liberated from a condition of
slavery.
Today we are confronted by a prop
osition under the guise of law, ap-
parently innocent at first glance, land
this just the way the other troubles
started) but carrying in it's provisions,
with strong effort at concealment, a
purpose, just as vicious and damnable,
as any of the others that have gone
before.
The citizenship of our state has
twice expressed it's competency of ex-
ercising its elective right, at the polls
by declaring for an elective judiciary.
Did we get it? Why not? Centrali-
cation of power is the reason. 1t is
charged by some that congress is the
mother of Graft; yet only a few days
ago a bill was introduced in congress,
recognizing the right and ability of
/ the people to choose; to take away
the appointing of federal judges and
| have them elected for term of years,
! not for life as heretofore; but what
confrcnts lis now? We are asked to
cont me form of government, re-
signing our natural and fundamental
rights, privileges and duties, and dele
safe them to three men. The original
commission bill passed in 1908 was
rad enough, but how much worse are
the rights of franchise encroached on
in the amendatory act of 1912? Bet
ter read them and get informed. This
s just the beginning of the end Sub
mission to one act of oppression and
tyranny, only bring about others and
worse. There has not been a session
of the legislature of our state in the
past thirty years, that there has not
been passed one or more bills, viola
tive of constitution and law. Some
of these have been SO declared, be-
cause someone had been found who
had the determination and means to
assert his rights; others have re.
NAMED and been imposed, only be-
cause the unfortunate victim had not
the means to assert his rights.
This is the condition of the commits.
sion bill of 1908 and its amendment.
There is absolutely no warrant or au.
thority of law, either organic or legis.
lative, for its enforcement or execu.
tion, and in support of this assertion,
will refer the mind of any competent
ljurist to; LIST, the natural rights OF
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