Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 53, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 October 1914 — THE MOVEMENT FOR A NEW CONSTITUTION [ARTICLE]

THE MOVEMENT FOR A NEW CONSTITUTION

Only One Issue Involved at Thle Time —Shall a Convention Be Called? It should be borne clearly in mind that the movement commonly referred to as a movement for a new constitution, which will be determined at the election this fall, involves but a single issue at this time. The one question is. as the ballot will read! ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION IN THE YEAR 1&15? A fair determination of this main Issue should not be prejudiced in any part of the public mind by the overenttfusiastic advocacy or opposition which may be urged concerning any I special issue. All such special issues i can only be determined later by the constitutional convention, in case the people vote to call one. We are confronted now with the single broad question as to whether or not the people of Indiana want and need an up-to-date organic law. It was this general demand that bv Governor Ralston When ne recommended specifically; -fn his message to the Legislature J 913. that a convention be called. It was the recognition of this demand which caused the Legislature to submit the question to the people. And it was further recognized, and even emphasized, by political conventions, when they approved In state platforms the calling of a constitutional convention. Of course, various needs to be embodied in a nt w or revised constitution will be insistently urged during the course of the campaign. These proposals will receive discriminating consideration by the people, being variously favored and opposed. But there are fundamental needs upon which all < an practically agree. There are others upon which the most vital differences of opinion may exist, each and every one having its particular~adyocates as well as its opponents. There is no marked line of division separating these various elements. Let the educational treatment of all of these continue throughout the campaign' It will surely tend toward an awakened citizenship. But let no one expect to determine in advance what the convention will do. Some of the matters which are being most prominently mentioned now for the consideration of the convention are: Improvements in our tax system: also in our qualifications for suffrage and In the conduct of elections; submitting equal suffrage; safe-guarding legislation and popular government by initiative, referendum and recall; changing the terms of legislators and ot officers generally; making voting more effective by direct and mandatory primary elections and by proportional representation: simplifying our administrative machinery by the short ballot; establishing qualifications for lawyers; bringing about the simplification of our court procedure; making some labor reforms possible, such as workmen’s compensation and effective ar bitration of labor disputes; taking the liquor problem out of politics and legislation; assuring a modern system of municipal government by providing for home rule for cities. These and others are being earnestly and fairly discussed.

AH advocates of an up-to-date revision of the constitution may join in the movement for a constitutional convention without discord as to details. A non partisan convention of delegates representing the whole people will pass upon all our specific needs later. It should be especially emphasized and remembered that this convention will submit separately all contested issues, to be determined by the people, each upon its own merits. By this means we shall have truly a peoples constitution.