The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-03-19

IN, IIcs. nODeII L. nelly, LIZ. "A. II.
Bramkamp, Mrs. A. W. Roach and
L. 8. Bowman, county auditor.
A resume of DR.. Stones speech
follows:
A few weeks ago the Tooth annivers
airy of the admission of Indiana to
statehood was celebrated. As q pre-
liminary step to that event the first
constitutional convention assembled al
Corydon on June 10, 1916. and after
eighteen days Of elaboration, under
the now famous elm tree, adopted the
first basic law of the state Thirty
five years later, in 1851, a second con.
vention was called at Indianapolis and
prepared a new constitution which on
submission to the people was adopted
Sixty-six years have now elapsed and
the growth of the state demands again
that the fundamental law of the com.
monwealth be adjusted to existing con.
ditions. Before us is the task of select
ing delegates to the third constitutions
al convention to assemble on January
9Th, 1913
No act OF a people compares in ser.
determining their chartered rights and
It Is therefore essential that the citi-
zens Of our state approach this duty
with a proper sense Of responsibility
and an intelligent understanding Of the
subject.
A constitution IL the expressed will
of a people concerning the fundament-
al principles under which 1t shall be
governed-it is not so much law as
the collection of principles on which
law is based. It embodies those rights
Of a people which no ruler, no parlia-
ment or legislature, nor even any court
may transgress. A constitution is not
a thing to be lightly changed-on the
other hand it exists to serve and not
to dominate q people and when its
provisions have become obsolete 1t is
no longer bulwark Of liberties but an
obstacle to progress.
A constitution such as exists in
Indiana contains number of provis-
ions-a bill of rights relating to the
liberties Of the people; principles for
the organization of government, and a
variety Of specific prohibitions or re-
strictions, rejecting current subjects
Of controversy at the time the consti-
tuition was drawn 1t is probable that
in framing a now constitution for Ind
lara the bill of tights would remain
untouched; but that changes in the
details Of government and certain re-
strictive nrinciples will he desired.
IT is because such sweeping changes
have occurred in every aspect of life
in the last half century, that our sixty
five year old constitution is no longer
adequate.
The speaker drew striking compari-
sons between conditions in 1851 and
1917, showing how business, commerce
and industry, society, education and
the habits and amusements Of the
people had become completely revolu-
tionized in this time. 1t is easy to see
how a constitution quite adequate in
1851 could not possibly meet all of the
new demands arising from the con-
ditions existing today. While too often
greatly needed reforms are impeded
by constitutional restrictions. Mat
tiers Of great moment in the early days
Of the state such as Shaving. state
banks. the Wabash canal, etc, have
now given place to questions formerly
undreamed of such as equal suffrage.
prohibition, immigration, Initiative and
referendum. etc.
The speaker then. in an analysis Of
the present constitution. discussed
item by item those sections for which
a change ia demanded. The present
restriction OF suffrage to male citizens
will be the target Of those in favor of
the equal franchise for men and wom-
en-. On the other hand the voting Of
unnaturalized foreigners as is now pos
sible will undoubtedly be changed.
Legislative procedure including
budget system and possibly length
ening OF the term Of the assembly will
be shortly urged.
The increase Of salaries during the
term OF office is Objectionable as now
permissible under the constitution. It
will be proposed to adopt a provision
for the Impeachment of public
officer for causes short of conviction
for crime as the present constitution
permits.
The ridiculous qualifications for
VI dCtltluS law HOW III FORCE VIII I'M
doubtedly be changed. The speaker
dwelt on the objections to making the
office Of the state superintendent of
public instruction an elective office.
ut Is now the football of politics." he
said. One of the most important Of
fices In the state. 1t should be appoint
i've and of long tenure.
Reforms In taxation are urgently
needed but not permitted by the pres
ent constitution which does not permit
a classification Of property. There
should be better method OF amend
ing the constitution than at present.
One of the great needs to be met In a
new constitution is larger freedom
In the government OF cities. Home
rule for municipalities will accomplish
more for Indiana than almost any
other single provision In the new con.
stitution.
Prohibition Of the sale and manufac-
ture OF alcoholic liquors will undoubt-
edly be hotly contested question.
The speaker concluded by urging
the importance Of selecting the best
men as delegates to the convention.
out that 1t was non-partisan
Ind non. political. The people should |
nave an a1tn1ofher d1NParau< a.. 81