The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1914-10-02
POLITICAL PARTIES AND
A NEW CONSTITUTION
Parties and Leaders Alike Express a
Favorable Attitude Toward the
Proposition.

One Ol tne iuObt ENCOURAGING an
.gnifcant facts in connection wit
he movement for a constitutions
convention for Indiana is the favo
bile attitude ofVhe political partie
nd the responsible leaders.
Governor Rafston in his message {
he legislature In 1913 said
"ln my opening campaign
speech last fall, stated that
while personally favored a con
stitational convention, had no
authority 70 commit my party TO
such a movement but that with
out regard To my individual
views, | would, in the event Of
my election, make such recon-
mendattons as to the advisable
ity Of calling a coAy ention as l
believed fairly represented the
views of the people.
What then are the views OF the
people on this. subject?
The Democratic Legislature in
l9ll believed that the present
constitution of Indiana did not
meet the requirements OF the
people, and so holding il pre-
pared for submission TO the voters
OF Indiana a new constitution
The Progressive and Republic
an parties, In their respective
platforms OF 1912, declared in
favor of a constitutional conven-
tion. Unless the Democratic
legislature OF 1911 and the Pro
gressiFe and >Republican parties
were all mistakeA. the people OF
indiana are in need OF and want
a new constitution
Is II strange. that they should
desire an up-to-date organic law?
Their present constitution was
adopted <more than sixty years
ago. Since then the development
OF our state has been marvellous.
It's population has greatly in
creased and its intellectual. so
cial and material progress have
multiplied many fold. New ques-
tions have arisen that cannot be
solved under the present instrn-
ment, and new conditions make
IL necessary for the people to as
sert rights they cannot exercise
Hereunder.
What is a government for II IL
is not to serve the purpose OF the
people? Thomas Jefferson be-
lieved so strongly that this was
the object Of government that he
maintained that constitution
should contain a provision for its
revision every twenty years.
There have been but .few, IL any
men in this state who excelled
the late Governor Isaac p. Gray
in ability accurately to interpret
public sentiment. In his mes
sage to the Legislature more than
twenty years ago he strongly ad-
vocated the calling of a consti-
tutional eonve1ftion.
haze thus briefly stated the
facts that ! believe SHOW that the
people want a new constitution,
and personally / favor a consti-
tutional convention"
This legislature, which was strong
y Democratic, passed the Act sub
hitting the question of calling a con
convention to the people
md the Democratic state platform
4 1914 Says:
I've approve the action OF the
last General Assembly in making
provision that the people may
declare whether they desire a
convention TO frame new con
stitution for Indiana"
The Republican state platform o
9l4 declares:
I'VE reiterate our former
declaration in favor OF tire revi-
sion of the constitution of the
state by constitutional conven-
tion consisting of representa-
tives elected by the people, the
new constitution so prepared to be
submitted to the people for rati-
fication or rejection"
And the 1914 platform OF the Pro
,ressive party of Indiana says:
I'VE emphasize the necessity
OF calling a constitutional con
vention and urge the people to
vote therefore at the coming cleo
tfon."
The present situation in Indiani
urely justifies every claim put for
yard in the above statements as I,
he need OF new constitution. Thi
emand is a logical protest agains
he continuance OF situation whicl
makes progress in the political devel
pment of the state impossible.
; unmistakable evidence of the grow
ng spirit OF progress in state an,
ocal government.