The courier-index. (Marianna, Ark.) 1917-current, 1917-09-07

reasons why the convention should
not attempt to draft the constitution
this winter:
Hon. N. F. Lamb, Jonesboro, Ark.
Dear Handspring to your ia
vor of August %, will say that ]
take pleasure in calling your atten-
tion to few things that lead me
to believe it would be best to post
pone the constitutional convention
until May, 1918.
First-It would be quite difficult
to draft constitution under abnor-
NAL conditions, as at present, for the
satisfactory use of the people is nor
NAL times.
Second-It is barely possible that
by May. 1918, conditions growing out
of the war will be more settled and
the members of the convention will
be in a better position to then de-
termine what course to pursue.
Third-From present indications In
December, 1917, Little Rock will be
taking care of at least 10000 or
| 10000 soldiers, and to this we might
| add 10000 other persons in one way
| or another drawn to Little Rock be-
cause of being in some way related
to the soldiers, or attracted there
because of the soldiers. All these
people and the delegates will come
in constant contact with each other
and such associations by the dele
gates with SO large body intent
upon war preparations would, to say
the least of it, distract and not be
| conducive to the best thought of any
deliberative body.
Fourth-The preparation for war
throughout the state and the nation
has greatly inflamed the minds of
| the people, and in the discussion OF
any governmental questions at this
| time many issues would arise which
| would be solely the creation of an
inflamed public mind. At such a
| time the people will noe so readily
yield to reasons and are more likely
to entertain radical views, and on
| this account it would be very diff
| cult to obtain the adoption of any
constitution the body might frame.
Fifth-When the date of the con-
vention arrives a large per cent of
the young men from the several
counties of the state will have been
withdrawn from their respective COM
munities, thereby to great extent
depicting the man-power for agri-
cultural and commercial purposes in
| the state, and we can i'll afford to
enter upon any enterprise at this
| time, the tendency of which is to
| further distract thought and labor
from the agricultural and CONNER
cial industries of the state.
| Sixth-ln all probability the con-
vention will be in session several
months. Substantially all prepare
| tons for financing and cultivating
the crops are made during the period
of December to May and, therefore,
assuming the men elected to the con-
stitutional convention to be of aver
age Importance in their communities,
| it would be best for them to remain
at home and assist in the great work
| of keeping business conditions as
near normal as possible.
Seventh-During the coming winter
the capacity of Little Rock for taking
care of people who will assemble
there will be greatly overtaxed, and
| ii is not wise to add to this the
members of the convention and their
| families, and such others as would
| be attracted to Little Rock because
| of the convention. In fact / am adj
vised that it would not be easy for
! the members of the convention TO
| find quarters.
Eighth-Business conditions at this
time are abnormal and all values can
safely be said to be inflated Every
character of business is affected as
well as labor. and no doubt an eff
fort will be made by all classes to
get some advantage out of present
conditions in the framing of new
constitution. Should the members be
materially influenced by present con-
ditions our work would probably be
a failure.
| Ninth-No doubt many changes in
our organic law will be suggested
by the war. Am impressed that the
convention would not have been
called had present conditions pre-
vailed at the time the General AS
sembly was in session.
! shall not burden you with any
extended discussion by way of argu-
ment on the several suggestions
made. I entertain great respect for
your judgment and, therefore, would
be pleased If you will favor me with
an expression of your views in this
matter.