The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1916-02-25
NO CONVENTION THIS TIME.

The following splendid editorial from the tai
ented editor Of the Ripley Southern Sentinel is en-
dorsed by the opponents of the proposition to
call a Constitutional Convention, one of whom is the
editor of The Commonwealth:
up to this time there has not been a test vote
In the Legislature on the matter of calling a Consti-
tutlonal Convention, but after watching the move
ments of that body, and knowing many of them
personally, the Sentinel, with full confidence, makes
the prediction now that the bill for a new c~onstitu-
ton will not be passed by this Legislature, certainly
not at this session. The Sentinel congratulates the
Legislature upon what we confidently believe to be
its position In this matter and congratulates the
State that its great fundamental law will be per-
mItted to live on. The present constitution was the
first of its kind ever written in the United States
and for twenty-five years it has lowered above all
others in many of its most essential features. 1t was
the first constitution to eliminate the negro from
politics by a plain written law, in accord with the
constitution of the United States and not violative,
even, of the unjust and Ubiquitous reconstruction
measures known as the 14th and 18th amend
ments. The fundamental law was cunningly writ
ten, but without subterfuge or strategy, the future
government of Mississippi was placed safely in the
hands of the white race. That section, a towering
monument to its makers, stood faultless before a
Republican United States Senate and received the
approval of the Republican United States Supreme
Court. TO destroy it now and have the whole fight
tc make again would be unwise in the extreme.
The present constitution could be slightly i'm
proved IN a few Of its features and such might be
done in a convention, but it could be greatly harmed
and such might be done in a convent N. In fact the
changes needed do not at all justify the risk to be
taken and the enormous expense of holding a con-
vention. There are, at least, two sections that
should be changed. The distribution of the school
fund under the present system is unjust aud un-
equal and ought to be changed. The representa-
ton OF South Mississippi in the Legislature is not in
accord with her present population and develop
ment and should be so changed as to give that sec
ton more members in both houses. That amend
ment should be submitted again and should be rat
flied by the voters at the polls.
The argument made against the present con.
%stltutlon is that it is Is years old, hence out of date
and not in keeping with our times, etc. The con-
stltution Of the United States is q hundred years
older than the organic law of Mississippi and is not
yet out of date, But taking that argument as being
sound, If our present constitution is out of date il
would not take very long for a new one to get out
of date. Therefore, we believe that the best sys.
tenn possible, is the system we have at present
that of keeping the constitution up-to-date by the
initiative and referendum plan. This is the only
way IN which a constitution can be kept up-to-date
The Legislature carefully submits the amendment to
the people, they vote on it, each proposition sepa.
rate and apart from the other, and say whether or
not they desire the proposed change. And who
has more right to say what the law shall be thar
the people have? Ii the people don't want it changed
then let it alone. By our present system of amend:
ing the organic law it may be kept up-to-date and
fully meet the needs of the changing conditions
We trust and believe that such will be the policy OF
the Legislature"