Pocahontas star herald., 1924-10-02
Little Rock Letter


Little Rock, Sept. 20.-Interest in
the general state election next Tues
day, October Z, centers in the fate of
the three proposed amendments to the
constitution Everything else is prac-
tically settled. OF course, the Republi-
can nominees are making a show of a
campaign, but it is wholely vicarious-
they 90 not expect to be elected. There
may be here and there a Republican
slipping into some county Office by de-
fault, but it win be too rare to occa-
sion alarm,
Experience Of the past has shown
that &c is not an easy matter TO amend
the constitution Of Arkansas. How
oyer there appears to be o different.
feeling prevalent among .hc people all
this time There is mo organized op-
position anywhere against amy one Of
,he three uauaug amendments and
only occasionally an individual note
Of opposition. A careful review of the
situation as reflected by the state press
/ and the parry lenders ju5ufes the con-
clusion chat all three amendments win
be adopted. There is an organized
support for at least two OF the amend
ments, Nos 10 and II and it has been
said that No. u has many friends
everywhere but no money to promote
it,"
The only danger lies in the failure
of voters to vote ON the subject. This
has been one Of the weaknesses hereto
fore in the submission of amendments.
Some years ago the Supreme Court
ruled that an amendment must have a
majority of the total votes cast at the
election, and that a majority of the
votes east on the subject is not suffi-
cient. There are too many voters who
through Indifference, carelessness Of ig-
norance fail to vote either way on
amendments and their vote has the
effect of having been cast In the Mega
tive. IL is better 10 vote against an
amendment than not 20 vote at an.
IN ,ho present instance. however it f.
Itaieyei that any one Who carefully
examines the taEt and purpose OF pend
Iius amendments viii not vote Ggamst
Ithm It is moro Important That the
basic law be On accord with he peoples
wishes and welfare tan that some
certain man shos!d be elected to ana
office. The officer can do no more
chan enforce the law as be fHds it.
lf the law is wrong on obsolete or iH-
IHdeguto, its ouforlcmau. wiz not De
lbeneaciai TO the people.
Ihe three pending amendments are
of great vital concern to the people
themselves. They are drawn in the
interest Of the people. no. 10 win
cause less delay in the determination
of the peoples rights IN the courts
! 30. n viii enable cities and towns to
lp8y their debts and prevent mountains
of dcbt being piled up hereafter; No
- win prohibit the great mass Of
local and special legislation from clog
ging the wheels OF the General Assem-
bly,.
Amendment No. 10 win authoriz,
the General Assembly to Increase tn,
personnel of the supreme Court from
five to seven members and to fix theii
rate Of compensation. Provisions whicl
were all right fifty years ago when tn,
constitution was adopted are wholly
outgrown and inadequate. Arkansa,
is falling far behind the other states in
providing means for the prompt and
orderly disposal Of an increasing mass
of litigation. This amendment there.
fore is more in the interest of the
people than for the benefit Of the
Supreme Court. Bar associations
throughout the state are endorsing II
and the newspapers are supporting il
almost solidly.