The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-06-08
CONSTITUTION
Is COMP AIRED
TOCRAN QUILT
REVISION AT THIS TIME WAS
DISCUSSED AT LENGTH 5Y THE
SENATE DURING LAST DAYS
OF SESSION,
EY JOHN 9. rRlcE.

Cdtl2ng q constitutional convention Tn
revise the organic law of 1885, though
the very 2irst thing introduced in the
mouse at the converting of this ses-
sion was a resolution for this purpose.
by Mr.. Futch Of Alachua. Much ado
was made about acting on the thing
quickly and getting it off the calen-
OAR Yet, notwithstanding the first
introduced and the first special order
sput on the calendar, it was allowed to
remain there.
1t was taken up and advanced from
second to third reading during the
past week; then 1t was discussed at
some length and a vote taken, falling
to get the necessary two thirds by
four votes.
Mr.. Williams. of Leon county, led
off the discussion against it. He de-
clared there was no need for it at
this time. He pointed out that the
expense of holding such a convention
would be somewhere between 100000
and 100000. and advanced the opin-
ion that such an expense was not
warranted at this time. There was no
certainty. he declared. that the desir-
ed results could be obtained even by
the calling and holding of constitu-
tional convention. The only real rea-
son for holding the convention that
he had heard advanced was for the
purpose OF getting a reapportionment
of the state. Inasmuch as the con-
vention would be composed of the
same representation as the house, he
could see no certainty of it doing
something that the house had persist
emily refused to do.
Mr.. ellis, of Walton county, said
that If this matter had been brought
up earlier in the session he had in
tended pointing out at some length
his reason for favoring it. AT this
late day in the session, however, he
did not feel that he would be justi-
fled in taking up much of the time
OF the house, but he wanted TO say
a few words on the subject. The
constitution we are now working un-
der, he declared, resembles a piece
of patchwork. It certainly needs re-
vision. The governmental principles
of the state are the same as when
it was drawn up. but conditions have
so changed that it ought to be brought
up to date. He then briefly outlined
a number OF reason for the position
assumed.
Mr.. Waybright, of Duval, followed
in favor of the proposition. He said
that If he had more time he would
name a great many reasons for want
ing a convention, but he presumed
most of these would be pointed out
by other members who desired to
speak on the subject, hence he would
confine himself to two reasons only.
The first Of them was the judiciary.
He explained that the system needed
Under the old insrru-
ment this branch of the government
had eyrpxryF4 60 -ixvo -,
instances 1t was almost impossible to
get justice. AS evidencing the fact
that the legislative branch needed
some changes, he pointed the fact of
the possibility OF defeating the man.
dates Of the constitution at succeed
ing session OF the legislature on the |
question OF reapportionment. Other |
defects were named
Mr.. McFae. of Washington county, |
came out Glatfooted against calling a |
revising convention at this time He |
admitted that the present constitu-
tion Is somewhat like a crazy patch
work. But the time for revision is I
not ripe, he declared. The minds of /
the people are too much divided, and |
there is too much Bolshevism ram
pant in the. country to go to tamper-
Ing with the organic law. Trhe, he
IOACAA0Gh8 NK4GJ 4lASuI OO D0LlGIs DuI
there is a chance that they would 90
worse.
Mr.. F'ntch, of Lake county, declared
he had always advocated simple jus
tice. For this reason, he was in
favor Of the proposition. The local
law evil was one of the things, he
said, that made it necessary. In his
hand he held a copy of the acts of
1917, general laws, which contained
only 426 pages, index and all. Then
be held up another volume which he
said contained 1928 pages of local
avs passed at the same session. He
supposed the ratio of local laws pass
sd by this session would be even
larger than that. The evil was one
that ought to be abated so that when !
the legislature met here bic ennially ,
Il could devote its time to the con-
sideration Of legislation of a general ,
nature. If all the local laws the leg
stature is now called upon to pass
were handled as the constitution re- ,
auires the legislature would have to
sit 365 days in the year and then add
so the number OF days in the year
10 get through.
Mr.. Jones. Of Nassau county. op-
posed the resolution. He was SO ear ,
hest about 1t that he started off with
put telling a story. Mr.. Phillips in |
corrupted 70 call a%tention to this.
Like flash the story was told. and .
hen he proceeded to say that If the
needed changing it could
be done by amendment, without TIE
Expense OF calling a convention.
. Mr.. Harden here moved the pre-
riouS question, but withdrew it.
Mr.. Merchant, of Madison county, ;
old the friaDdS Of fba raSol,,+;o,, 81.
lad absolutely no assurance that 4
would make the desired ;
,hanges in the present instrument.
They could be better made by amend
nent he thought. When a fair an
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