San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-02-22

phrase implies that the situation created
| by discussion and adoption of the reso-
luton is gratifying only in a negative
way. Naturally opponents of the con-
vcntion project would be more highly
pleased if the measure had been lost out
right. But the concessions made by its
principal proponents were such, and so
unexpectedly liberal are the provisions
of the resolution, that even its uncom-
promising opponents must feel that. some
! progress has been made toward 4 demo-
cratic. conclusive settlement of an issue
! that has been chronic in Texas for many
years. D..
One cannot but observe, for instance
the care the legislators advocating a
new constitution have taken to avoid the
appearance of "railroading." Would
! they have been so careful in that respect
| if there had been no opposition to the
calling of 4 constitutional convention?
In. the first place, the entire matter
is to be submitted to the people. That
IS the voters will decide whether a con-
vcntion shall be held for the purpose
Of changing the states organic law
II they say mo- the matter will end
there. But if they say YES" their de-
cision will be subject to the intcrprc-
tation that they had been won over BY
the democratic arrangements for the
convention as provided for by the Leg
islaturc. For there. can be no doubt
that the people of Texas have been OPP
posed to constitutional convention prof.
ccts-not necessarily, however, because
OF any conviction that the present con-
stltution is tlawlcss, but rather for fear
that the trainers of new constitution
might put something over them.
The measures advocates had to take
precautions against such a fear, as a
means OF gaining enough votes to sub
NIT the question to the people. But
the fact that provisions for the untram-
mclcd expression of the publics wishes
should be regarded as concessions isl
a sad commentary upon present-day
governmental conditions In a truly
democratic. country the people should |
govern themselves as matter OF course.
rather than as 4 matter of concession |
on the part OF government officials.
Among the provisions favorable toI
the people is that which would prevent
the proposed constitutional convention
from being "stackcd' by an extremely
active political clement or by special !
interests. There would be three dele
gates from each of the thirty-one sena-
torial districts, but in districts COM
posed OF more than three counties not
more than two OF these three delegates |
could be elected from any one county.
Moreover, all delegates would be. elected |
by direct vote OF the people in the re-
spcCtive districts. &
But one of the most liberal Of the pro-
posed concessions failed of adoption.
That was the provision making state
ofiicc-holdcrS ineligible to election as
delegates TO the constitutional conVcn-
ton. Another liberal" proposal, like
wise rejected, was that, ainasmuch as the
resolution, being concurrent one, could |
be considered at any session of the Leg |
islature, the Lawmakers should go home
and ascertain the wishes of their con-
otitucnts before voting upon the measure.
Perhaps the author of the latter pro-
posal was bent upon saving some of the
peoples money. But it might be more
economical, in the long run, to submit
the constitutional convention question
to the people without more ado. The |
chances are that it will be answered !
negatively, and in that case the agi-
tatorS, with all of their concessions"
would probably remain silent for some
time to come
LLOYD-GEORGE, IN FINE FoPM