The Brunswick news., 1913-05-09
EDMONSON EXPLAINS WHY
A STATE CONSTITUTIONAL
CONVENTION is NECESSARY

whose recent article advocating a con
stitutional convention and suggesting
a number of important amendments,
created so much interest throughout
the state, writes The News more ful-
ly OF his plan. outlining in detail
some Of the amendments that are
badly needed His letter, which viii
be found of great interest, is as fol-
lows
Editor Brunswick News:
am in receipt of yours requesting
that l white for The Brunswick News
an outline CT important legislation
coming before the next meeting OF
the Georgia legislature
| firmly believe that the most i'm
portant measure to be acted upon "
our law makers will be the resolu-
tion calling a State CONSTITUTIONAL
Convention, The constitution of 1877
is more than thirty-fve years cd,
and has served its usefulness. The
constitution o. any state shoEed be
revised at least once in each genera
ton. thus bringing the fundamental
law of the state up to date Public
sentiment strongly favors a new con-
stitution. This tact is impressed up
en- me by the suggestion OF Hon. Jcnn
T. Allen of MilleGseville, who writes
that the people are always ankle IS
to rdtify constitutional amendments
at general elections, thus showing
the public dissatisfaction with the
o.d constitutions The people should
re-assemble in convention, and make
new constitution suited to present
conditions If we accomplish the
many suggested reforms and changes
in the organic law by tagging amend
ments onto the old constitution it
will require endless legislation.
The entire judicial sy3tem Of the
state needs revising. favor the
election OF judges by the people. but
believe that the practice of rotation
should be adopted The office OF So
licitor general of Judicial circuits
should be abolished and the office of
county prosecuting attorney crea-
ted. The last named official should
be paid salary on the basis Of S100
to each 1000 inhabitants Of his eoln-
.ty. This would abolish the infamous
lee system now in force. which has
as its natural result much corruption.
moral graft and prosecutions Of pet
ty offenses for the purpose Of making
court cost for those officers receiv-
ing their compensation under the fee
system All city courts are strictly
unnecessary evils and ought to be
abolished TO this end the leglsla-
ture should Mvide for holding four
terms of the Nlperior court in each
county. Hon. ~ d. M'Neil's bill es-
tablishing iuyd lille courts is to be de-
sired, but should be optional instead
OF compulsory sThe court Of appeals
is anothers evil. The SUI
preme court should be divided into
civil and criminal branches We do
not need two reviewing courts, es-
pecially when the two courts take de-
light in reversing the decisions and
opinions Of each other.
Hon Walter ]. Headden of Cobb
county. will introduce at the next
meeting a bill having as its purpose
the abolition of the dangerous grade
crossings in the state. This will be
benefcient legislation, but these
crossings must be gradually destroy
ed under the direction and superyis-
ion of the railroad commission. The
sad death of Miss Dubose. occurring
at one OF these crossings on the
Western and Atlantic road. is but one
instance of the daily occurring circum-
stances showing the monstrous and
destruction OF human
life at grade crossings.
Hon. G. r. McCrory of Schley
county. struck the key note in his
suggestion to have the state publish
the text books used in common
schools, and sell them to the children
Of the state at the cost of publication.
| sincerely trust that he will receive
hearty support in his efforts in this
direction. When the supreme court
reporter owned the copyright of the
reports of that court, he published
them and sold the books to the law
yers of the state at about $500 per
volume The legislature made
change and provided for the publica
ton of these reports by the state, and
they now cost on an average OF $3.50
per volume. If the state is willing to
thus protect the lawyers, why should
not we provide similar protection for
school children?
The present registration law needs
TO be amended so that when a voter
is once registered he will have the
privilege of voting as long as his
taxes are paid. Permanent registra-
ton Of voters is almost imperative.
The legislature loses its important
times in passing local laws. If we
do not hold a constitutional eonven-
TO-, rrcvido