The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1921-09-09

and ought to be modlned IN essentlal
particulars, through changes in the
organic law. The lawyers and stu
dents of law know best about that,
and we are willing to accept their
judgment. So far, so good, but there
are many other things that might arise
to trouble us in the convention.
First and foremost, there is the
question of taxation. There should be
no substantial modification of existing
law, and certainly none in the iimita-
tons upon the taxing power Of the
legislature. Any attempt to foist the
extravagant ideas of Arthur Hyde as
to taxation upon the people of Mis-
souri,, through new constitution,
means everlasting defeat for the con-
stitution and everybody that partici-
pates in any change in our taxing pro-
gram.
Second, and almost equally impor-
tant, the balance between the cities
and the counties must be preserved,
This is one of the most highly merit
orious provisions in our present con-
stitution, and ought not to be material
" changed. The time is nearly here
when the cities of St. Louis and Kan
sas City have more than one-half of
the population of the state, but they
should not have one-half of the mem
bers of the legislature, for the very
good reason that the people of the
cities seem Indifferent as to the char
acter Of the men they send to the leg
islature, and if the time ever comes
when the legislature is dominated en-
tirely by the cities, there will be eco
nomic disaster in Missouri. If there
is to be representation, based upon
population in either body, let it be in
the State Senate, and allow the pres
ent ratio of representation in the
House, or rather the present basis, to
remain undisturbed.
Third, an effort will be made to
give the Governor the power to APP
point all state officers, and make the
chief executive gubernatorial pooh
bah, with vast powers, We had a
system something like this prior to
1845. 1t was abandoned, because it
was found to be undemocratic and re-
suited in unsatisfactory administra-
ton. There are only two states in the
union that have such system, and
in neither of these states has there
been as good results in government as
in Missouri. If there should be any
change at all, it should be to require
the distribution of all min, offices,
attached to the executive department,
among the other elective officers,
placing all minor bureaus under the
Secretary of State, Auditor, rreasur-
er and Attorney General. Indeed,
many of these bureaus might be done
away with and the states interests
we'll served.
Fourth, unquestionably efforts will
be made to eliminate the initiative
and referendum from the constitution.
This means fight that will extend in
to every county in the state, fight
which will become national in its i'm
port and significance. For the infor
nation of those concerned in this, The
State Journal begs leave 20 inform
the prospective opponents of the ref.
ton that the situation has already
been made the subject of discussion
among liberal men and women
throughout the nation, and there is n
strong organization back of them,
who will not desert the Missouri
friends of the referendum when the
fight comes. This would involve the
lie" COllSllIuLlUIl III Il controversy CS--
tain to mean defeat. We cannot afford
to be the first state in the Union to
abandon the initiative and referen-
dun, even though Arthur NJ. Hyde
has ceased to be progressive. and has
experienced change of heart. There
are progressives left in the land and
in Missouri. Their convictions are
made of sterner stuff than Inc pass
ing fancies of Arthur Hyde. The
present section of the constitution
should be re-incorporated in the new,
just as it stands.
There are many other issues in
volved,but upon these any candidate
for delegate should be asked to pledge
himself, and if his response be unsat-
isfactory, his candidacy should be op-
posed.-State journal.