Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-12-26
WORK ON STATES CONSTITUTION
 BEGINS SOON
Expected That Convention Committee Will Hold Ses-
 sions Soon After Jan. l..
(By Clio HarDer.)

(By Clio Harper.)
 Little Rock, Dec. 25.-Soon after the first of. the year active worl, is expected to begin on the new constitu- tion, laying the foundation upon which the convention next July will erect the finished structure.
 President Tom Mehaffy has already appointed his committees, and is re- cciving many proposals for considera- ton. These will be distributed among the various committees for considera- ton, and it is expected that the com mittees will begin to hold sessions soon.
 So far there is no apparent tend ency toward radicalism in the propo- sitions submitted, although that may come later. The most radical yet re- ceived is for the recall of the judici- ary, or of judicial decisions.
 Of course, there are many sugges- tions for the extension and strength ening of the principle of direct legis- lation, but that is so firmly estab- lished throughout the country that it is no longer radical system, but one of the accepted tenets of Demo- cratic government.
 A few years ago it was considered a Utopian off-shoot of Socialistic tendency, but now it is accepted in most commCnwealths as a necessary balance against the possible usurpa- ton of power by a representative gov ernment. The initiative and refer endum are so established, but the re- call, the imperative mandate and other phases of the system have not yet been so thoroughly tried out and demonstrated.
 There Is another tendency in the writing of modern constitutions which must be guarded against, and which has already begun to crop out in the propositions submitted.
 A constitution is a fundamental law, an instrument of restriction. rather than a body of statutory enactment. The tendency to legislate in a con- stitution is declared by those best qualified to speak as not in keeping with tie spirit of constitution writ ing.
 The constitution lays down broad, general principles upon which the de- tails of legislation may be based. ,,
 For instance, the constitution may declare, in broad terms, that 'the right to vote in all elections in this state shall not be restricted by req son if sex or color.''
 That is enough to establish the equality of suffrage or men and woms en-it would remain fo rthe legisla- ture to enact laws regulating that right. prescribing limitations and pro- viding penalties for violation. 'faf@ L1 tho "it shall be unlawful to make. sell, transport, give away or have in pos i session any vinous malt, alcoholic or other intoxicating liquors"
 That would cover the constitutional requirements for statewide prohibi- tion-it would be the province of the legislature to prescribe the rules and regulations for it's enforcement
 The point is, the constitution should not be a cumbrous body of details, but an organic instrument of limita- tions. That which is. not prohibited is therefore permitted, if not in viola ; ticn of general, broad principles of law
 These are the two schools of con- stitution writers who will probably come most into conflict One will strive to write into the law statutory details that will leave nothing for the interpretation and ,amplification of the legislature; the other will endeavor to restruct it to the enunciation of principles and tenets whose applica ton may be pliant and adaptable to times and conditions. Should the constitution choose to declare that "interest-bearing evi- dences of indebtedness may be is sued by cities and counties" it should be left to the legislature to deter. mine from time to time the maximum rate of interest. the character of prop erty to be assessed, and whatever ex- emptions, restrictions or regulations might be necessary to protect the in- terests of the people at any given time.
 The constitution is for long period of time, the statute is but for limited time-two years, as now provided, should succeeding legislature or the sovereign voice of the people desire to change it in the meantime. It is for this reason that constitutions are made difficult of amendment, other wise they would be so liquid they would lack stability, and be subject to the whims of any popular fancy