Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1922-11-21
LARGE AUDIENCE
HEARS WOODWARD
EXPOUND BASIC LAW
CON CON PRESIDENT ADDRESSES
MASS MEETING OF CITIZENS
ON ILLINOIS PROPOSED NEW
CONSTITUTION.

An audience that filled the First
Baptist church to It's utmost capaci.
~, greeted Attorney Charles +. Wood
ward, who served as president of the
Constitutional Convention, last night
when he spoke on the proposed con-
stitution. While Mr.. Woodward has
spoken on the constitution before
numerous organizations, II was the
first occasion upon which he has
addressed public meeting, since his
return home after the adjournment
of the Constitutional Convention.
In spite of the large number of
other interesting events which were
taking place in Ottawa last night,
the annual Chamber of Commerce
banquet, the Knights of Columbus
reception and party, the X. p. dance,
and several other events, every seat
was filed, and the late corners had
to sit on chairs in the rear of the
room.
Preceding the public meeting, the
members of the Baptist brotherhood,
under whose auspices the session was
held, held supper in the church din
ing room. More than 100 men were
present for the supper.
The meeting upstairs opened with
a community song service, after
which Mr.. Woodward was introduced
by Rev. G. c. Fetter
Mr.. Woodward talk was one OF the
most convincing and intelligent bits
Of oratory which has been delivered
anywhere on the proposed constitu.
ton, and dozens of his hearers, who
previously had been only mildly in
terested in the document, we're con-
verified and became new constitution
boosters as a result of his address.
Speaking with the surety of one who
understands thoroughly every bit Of
the document, and in a fluent, easy
and intellectual manner his talk
greatly pleased the audience.
He said in part:
Mr. Woodward said in part:
AN election to ratify or reject the
proposed constitution will be held
Dec. 18th.
The question Is simple. The
Yoters must select between the new
md the old. The question is whether
" not the proposed constitution shall
We accepted or rejected. There is no
bird course. If accepted it becomes
he supreme law of the state on and
1fter Jan. Is, 1923. If rejected, we
'ontinue to live under our present
constitution.
THE two documents must be com
pared Which is the better? Which
9 better adapted to conditions-the
Few or the old?
In 1871 Sthe people directed the
holding Of a constitutional convention.
Years of agitation preceded thta ac-
ion. An extensive campaign was
conducted. Public sentiment was
aroused over the defects Of the pres
ent document
In the campaign for the adoption
If the resolution to call the conven-
ton, it was alleged:
"D That in view of the growing
lower of the City of Chicago, stabi.
ty, safety and good order required
that the representation of Cook
county in the general assembly should
Re limited;
"(2) That the general assembly
should be vested with wider power
md discretion in the enactment Of
tax measures, in order to provide a
more just and equitable system Of
taxation;
"(3) That the judicial department.
hould be readjusted so as to operate
more expeditiously;
"(4) That the AM 4nding article
which, in its practical effect, prohibits
a change in our present constitution
should be liberalized; and
"(5) That other provisions of the
constitution should be examined and
eWritten in view of the history and
experience Of the state during the
ast fifty years.
The people, were sensible of the
defects of the present constitution.
The resolution was adopted A con
yention was called. TWO delegates
rom each senatorial district--102 In
1umber--were elected. They con.
yened in January, 1920, and adjourned
IN October, 1922. The delegates ret
resented the ideas and ideals of tbair