The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-12-15
mIGNoIs nElncrs Nl.M cnNermLrLnN.

ILLINOIS REJECTS Nt.W CONSTITUTION.
Tho voters OF Illinois rejected tho now cone
sututlou submitted them by the constitution
makers with q perfect tidal wave of oppos.uou.
The total majority against the code viii not bo
far from million, while tho ratio was op-
proxmatoly five voters against to every one for.
Tina city Of Chicago rejected tho draft by ~
70 l., whilo IN some other localities thu ratio
against ran a. high as % TO f.. The ovcrwhcm.
ing defeat Of this model instrument calls TO
mind the fato that befclI a similar instrument
in New York state which had tho artistic
touches and unqualified approval OF Elihu Root.
who pronounced It the "hcst ever" when the
voters were called on to raHfy they pounded It
to death Instead.
There are two reasons why IT IL difficult 10
secure popular approval OF a new baHc law. ono
Is tho inherent respect a majority OF the people
have for our traditions and Institutions This
reapcct has a firm hold on tho public mind even
though Il bo denied ana even though at times
there Is seeming that such respect is utterly
lacking, The other IS the nslstonce on tho part
OF classes and institutions already too much IA
vorcd that their claims and contentious shall be
written into the constitution
There is abroad much suspicon OF individuals.
Thus Root, in New York. by his well known
employment was under suspicion. Possibly his
handiwork in the constitutional convention was
not entitled to the condemnation # received.
But because he had used his talents In the In
tercst OF great corporations and IN shelding
from the demands OF law men who had grown
wealthy while enjoying special privileges from
government, he was not trusted by tho common
folk to adequately protect their interests ana
their Just rights In the controversy which con-
sttutcd the only reason why hnAlc lay
should be prepared
While thSAindustriel centers OF Illinois went
strongly against tho new constitution. indioat-
ing that the laboring interests stood I'm opposi-
tion, the defeat cannot be attributed to that
cause alone for the Chicago Tribune story Of
tho day says even the Judges. large portion
Of the lawyers, despite the indorsement OF tho
Chicago bar association, the white collar work
ers tho wage earners, the business men 81 gem
oral, al weighing tho good features Of tho new
draft against Ia disadvantages, came to the
conclusion that the old constitution was better
than the new and attached the tinwnro to tho
draft by votes all the way from six TO ons
60 twonty five 20 one"
The chairman Of tho committee on submls-
sion ana the manager OF the campaign FOR ac-
ccptance said, The new draft was too con-
acrvauve for the radicals and too radical for the
conservatives. The only manner in which we
could have satisfied the voters was to have
eliminated the Income tax provision entirely.
The constitution a victim OF the ten
doncy of these times 70 be against everything, %
There seems little room for doubt "a TO the
real cause for the defeat, Tho tax provisions of
the instrument. making It possible TO lay an
Income tax against even the washerwomau and
the boothlnck. and the daring Increase In iurs.
dictou and discretion given the courts. explain
II ALL
Those constantly wanting basic law
would do we'll to ponder tho fate which has be-
fallen most undertakings OF this nature In re-
cent times. It probably would be possible 10
write a draft for most any state that would
receive the enthusiastic appreciation OF a ma.
jorty OF the citizens hut euch popular draf
would almost inevitably mark "A ewing from the
checks and balances OF existing constitution,
which would be alarming
In this in other political undertakings thc
struggle is between those that have and those
that have not. while there is absent from both
sides that love OF Justice and country which car
alone bring about an accommodation accoptabl,
10 an.