The Newark journal., 1917-04-05
The Constitutional
 Contention

The organic law of Arkansas is to be changed The constitution of of the state is to be amended cer- tain provisions of it are to be mod flied, other provisions are to be en- larged and the whole structure upon which the government of Arkansas is based is to be made more progress sive, more in line with modern con ditions and modern thought.
 A constitutional convention has been called to accomplish this change. It is to be the peoples convention, and the peoples representatives will build up the new law.
 It is not to be a convention for the politicians, nor convention for the office-holders, no matter how honest, no matter how intelligent such men may be.
 The powers of the legislature de- pend upon the constitution. The leg islature cannot make enforceable any of it's bills, even by unanimous vote, if such bill is contrary to the provi- sions of the constitution.
 The governor of the state cannot go beyond the authority given him .nder the constitution.
 The judiciary of the State is also co ltoIFc 4jbeeeaffubswtconditionYa amenable to the constitution, to the same extent as the legislature and the governor.
 The constitution of a state is de- fined by one of the leading encyelo- pedias as gthe oganic law prepared by direction of the people and sanctioned by their votes; it de- fines the methods and means of it's government in executive, legislative and judicial forms; the rights, privi- leges and immunities of it's citizens; and the relation of the whole com monwealth to the subordinate coun- ties, cities, townships, towns, etc"
 In other words the constitution of the State affects every branch of government in the State, it touches intimately the very life of the com monwealth.
 An equitable constitution, carefully drawn. with the rights of the people and the people only-at heart, will bring many new industries into Ark ansas and will also result in the building up to even a greater success of those industries already in exist ence.
 An unfair eonstitution-draw up for the protection of special classes, with negotiable privileges or unwise restrictions, will stunt the growth of industries now in the State and will be red flag of danger to warn other industries to keep away.
 All the foregoing considerations make it imperative that every citizen or the State regard the situation ser iously, think over it earnestly and then decide carefully what should be done, with a healthy growth for the state constantly in mind.
 Then each voter should select and vote for those men who, in their opinion, have to the greatest extent the interests of the people at heart; who will consider the interests of the whole State, and not the interests of the professional politicians, would-be office holders or those desiring spec ial privileges.
 The constitutional conention is not a partisan affair, and the people should look with distrust upon any man who asks them to vote for dele gate because of political eonsidera- tions.
 The constitution of a State repre- sents the ideals of the people. It is the driving power of the commoA- wealth. If it is out of gear with the modern conditions and the real dem ocratic principles, the wheels of pro- gress of the State will stagnate and stand still.-Arkansas Democrat.