El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-01-30
AMEND THE PRESENT CONSTITUTION
NEW CONSTITUTION IS NOT NEEDED

THERE has been no adequate showing Of the need for
constitution for Texas although pronounced agi-
tafon IS under way the legislature at Austin for the
holding Of a constitutional convention in January.
Why constitution? The Old one, under which
the state Of Texas has prospered ever since 1876 IS being
amended as RAPIDLY as changing conditions demand
The suffrage and statewide prohibition amendments are
two instances They are to be voted upon by the people
Of Texas Nay p, next Many others have been sug-
Essd Of them doubtless wise and Others prob
ably uHvise.
M constitution as It stands represents orderly growth
and has been changed to conditions the oondi
ficus have changed L is mature creation representing
the sound Judgment Of the people of the state from the
time adopted up to the present. To substitute
dollhouse plant for this sturdy growth is not good judg
msHL
Moreover constitution is always the object Of close
study BY the courts Its provisions must be construed in
connection with litigation The provisions Of the Texas
constitution have been construed by the courts Of the state
and now when Its terms are beginning TO have definite and
fixed meanings, shall it be cast aside and organic
act substituted which would require study and
construction by courts? The work that has been done
The strongest argument against a constitution for
Teas At this time Is that its creation would afford oppor
tunty for endless and harmful log rolling" After long
years Of bitter experience have learned condemn the
log rolling system Of securing congressional appropTia
tons Each bin should stand fall its merits OF
lack OF merit
In constitutional convention, trading votes is easy
simple and almost certain to "You vote Tor my
section and III vote FOR yours Is the way these trades
commonly negotiated and neither takes much trouble
70 investigate the others If log rolling IS bad
II ordinary legislation is much in enact
ing the fundamental law Of a state.
Many prominent personages at Austin and elsewhere
throughout the state urging the holding Of consttu
onzl convention though providing little argument IN IA
OF beyond the general statement that Texas needs
constitution, having been much amended They may
be sincere enough but the soundness Of their judgment is
open to question The fact that these reconuc
on days does not that everything must necessarily
be rebuilt What has been overthrow proved
Taueiess may not need rebuilding and tere been
proper showing that the constitution Of Texas needs
building Changes BY Of amendments suitable to
meet conditions should be made but the constitution
whole has been good enough for the greatest state
the union for f3 years and It is still good enough
Moreover, If II should be the judgment the legisla
ture that constitutional convention should held that
the need for constitution does exist the convention
SHOULD not be held un the Texas soldiers sailors and
marines have returned and opportunity to take
part This is their state much They have done
much for II and for II than most thew
should have voice in anything that affects its future
terially.