Year: 1859

Although rather opposed to the calling
Of Convention to amend our State Con-
stitution on account of the expense attend
ing it for one thing, and the fear that the
instrument would only be worsted instead
of bettered, for another, especially if the
Democrats should have majority in the
Convention, as they would probably nulli-
fy or strike out the provision against
slavery; still, VIC are far from taking the
position that the Constitution does not
need amending. But, we think the safest
and best plan is for the Legislature to sub
NIT the proposed amendments directly to
the people, even if does take longer to ac-
complish it. But had we a, Governor
favorble to the proposed changes, who
would call an extra session of the Lcgis
lature to act upon the matter Immediately
after the decision of the people was asccr-
tanned, we do not sec but the amendments
could be made almost as quickly in this
way as by means Of a Convention.
So far but little has been said, except by
the papers at the capitol and few others,
in regard to the call for Convention, up
on which the people will have to vote at
the approaching election Several Repub-
lican papers in the State have come out in
opposition to the call, and as many Demo-
cratic papers, perhaps, favor it. The
South Bend Forum, the ablest Democratic
paper in this District, gives the following
substantial reasons for desiring to amend
the Constitution: ,- f.sa - -


The present Constitution, G while recogni-
zing the principle Of educating every child
in the State by means of State fund, vir-
tually prevents all voluntary advancements
of the school interests above and beyond
the capacity of the least enlightened school
district in the State. And so, leveling
downward, it operates as a most enectual
repression of the principle that property
should edncate the people. There is also
an unwise restriction as to the pecuniaiy y
point to which district may carry its i'm
provements in the streets and highways
Any local disposition towards the advance
ment of these high civil interests ought
never to be repressed in the organic law.


The history of free Institutions in the
United States thus far demonstrates the ne
cessity for annual sessions of the Legisla
ture. No effort to avoid this necessity has
yet proved successful. Biennial sessions
has not proved even pecuniary success in
a single state of the Union. 1t is true that
the people of Kentucky with biennial ses-
sions pay lighter taxes than we; but the
want Of Railways and schools in that state
does not allow it to be quoted as an excep-
tion. In the States of Ohio and Michigan,
the evils incident to biennial sessions are
sought to be obviated by called sessions.
/ That provision iii the present constitu-
! tion requiring two thirds Of all the mem
bers of the Legislature to constitute quo
rum to do business. like every other depar-
ture from the majority rule, has been found
most inconvcnient and demoralizing in
practice.


The people should take the subject into
: consideration, as they will soon be called
upon to decide it one way or the other
We are not very anxious about it one way
or the other, and shall submit cheerfully to
the will Of the majority,