Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1916-10-26

Will 10 Only print Ic picture II VIZ piIeli IL to ihAuo u "N
and widest border to be found in the office as a mark of respect for
the opinions of an honest man.
PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
1t may be true, as contended by many students of constitutional
The necessity for it has been pointed out by able men, who have
called attention to certain weaknesses in the line of both commission
and omission in our present constitution:
But it is the view of The Saturday News that South Dakota can
we'll afford to dispense with the proposed constitutional conventlonI
by the rejection Of the proposed amendment empowering the sefee-
. We are inclined to agree with the Dakota Farmer in that in
providing for a constitutional convention to form a new constitution
we are likely to be encountering new dangers to take the place of
those from which we are now attempting to flee. The Farmer says:
In this power to amend, which 50 often has been in
voked in the past, we have the easy solution of all our con-
stituional difficulties. We may amend by changing some
provision, by adding one which a change Of condition or
greater enlightenment makes desirable. In the process Of
yiduauy and adopted or rejected on its merits. If some
parts tbad od. our =. constitution sna4 = are e merely dead wood let M Us cut
provision 9 is desirable an amendment will bring it about. +
let US adopt it by amendment. Simplicity not confusion is
desirable, and simplicity will not be advanced by a consti-
fancies, the schemes and designs. the theories and CON
tnyances, the projects and plots tat would be exploited on
the floor Of such a meeting. We begin to plan a cyclone
cellar for refuge from the blasting wave Of alleged oratory
that is going to devastate these prairies il the political
propagandsts ever get such a chance to give voice
Our present constitution, more than a generation old, was
drafted by some of the eminent men Of the time. There sat in the
efs n9 as the ending minds some Of the ablest lawyers the
If we have a new constitution il, too. will likely be drafted in a
serve in formulating it.
But let us remember that our state supreme court has been
called upon again and again to interpret some of the features Of
the existing constitution, and it probably will be 50 engaged for a
As the Dakota Farmer timely says, every feature Of a new
constitution, should we make one, will have. to run the gauntlet of the
courts to determine exactly what it shall be construed TO mea
Many OF the principle provisions of our existing constitution
have already been interpreted by our courts. A few of these inter
pretations may eventually be reversed, for courts occasionally re-
verse verse themselves, as our own state court has done in a few instances,
but for the most part we know exactly what our present constitution
= WE We. would o. Infinitely better keep what we have and as we have
u, SUBJECT to amendments as occasion arises, than to fly to ills that
In order that our readers may understand the nature Of. the
proposed amendment, to the adoption of which we take exceptions,
we herewith reproduce the title:
an amendment to section 2 of article % Of the constitution
OF the state Of South Dakota, and providing for the calling
and holding Of a constitutional convention and submitting
the same to a vote of the people.
p "a Ifaan:. that ma the country will not go to the devil if either Wilson
vi uill rug y Is elected. Even the most pronounced democrat seems
ability ability, a man Of irreproachable character, and one who, if elected,
pubIioan rs P ge 3 s ad not t5s a sIt1olR Wgssaa On the other hand, r.
wellmeanlng man. One or the other will be chosen on November 4
proves ROY pVi to BE- e i ,nf ene elected sn@ W will y have ayeot to speak for itself # it
neither ne nor his party will be continued in power.
While the democrats themselves, according to report. concade
Il Mr: Norbeck will be elected to the governorship by a substan-
tial majority, they claim that South Dakotas electoral vata s Will
go to Wilson. The republicans, on the other hand. are ciam in t Mt
~ EEK. VII sl 8. chosen by a majority in excess Of twenty thousand,
majority somewhat under that which will be given Norbeck.
James p. Bird is a local candidate on the democratic state ticket
z =. goes without saying that Mr. Bird will get d good many
p pas ,aa I, votes 81. N codington county. Personally and il a bust
ness n;ss way MEs MI s.. Bird Is q man who commands the confidence Of those
VIII Wnom ne has come in contact.
q democratic paper in the state claims credit for the adminis-
4 en- fr the large imports Of gold some time ago. That being
me ne ease ss 1ahle administration is also entitled to sscredit', for the
nasty provisions by which the further Importation was shut Off
- AHsoE PREPAREDNESS What makes links o proud Of lis
South Dakota Hon school Debating them EMILE 81 snyt hI . 4