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Show HISTORY 1880 the constitution was submitted to the people for ratification oF __ 496 The following democratic members of the convention voted for the constitution as framed: (C. C. Davidson, Reymundo Harrison, G. A. Richante Samuel Eldodt, T. J. Mabry, C. R. Brice, C. M. Compton, and H. M. Dougherty The following voted W. Childers, against it, the majority because of the party pee ae H. B. Fergusson, James G. Fitch, J. B. Gilchrist, A. H. Har R. W. Heflin, James E. Hall John I. Hinkle, J. L. House, A. H. Hudspeb rt J. L. Lawson, George E. Moffet, Green B. Patterson, E. F. Saxon M. P. ape M. D. Taylor, Edward D. Tittman, James N. Upton, and William B. Wa All but seven of these later signed the document. 497 This statement of objections was issued from Santa , Fé, Decem ber 17, of the Mexico, in framed ‘by the convention recently in session, and now before the people for their consideration, for the following reasons, to wit: ‘1. That said constitution is made very difficult of amendment by its provisions. ‘2. That the provisions for the establishment of the judiciary system is inexcusably extravagant and imposes needless burdens of expense on the people, in that it creates more judicial districts than are necessary and imposes salaries that are higher than the labors and responsi bilities of the judicial office require; and further, that it invests the legislature with power to create an additional number of judicial offices in any district, without any constitutional limitations ; and further, that said provision does not provide for a non-partisan judiciary, nominated at a general direct primary of the people, regardless of party and to be elected at elections to be held at other times than at the general elections. ‘3. That the terms of office of the judges provide d for, are too long for the ch interests of the people in that it restricts the power of control over the office. provision is needlessly territorial government. extravagant, in that es That. the compensation provided for the state officials is higher the duties of the respective offices require, or the tax-payers can afford. ‘6. That it of the legislature, and increases and amply sufficient under our the salaries provided for the members than of the state corporation Commission are higher than are warranted by reason of the fact that their duties are merely clerical under the provisio n creating the commission. ae general, the expense of the government necessit ated by the proposed Constitution will greatly increase the burden of taxation which already rests eavily on the people. ; : "&. That the board of equalization provided by constitution will consist Wholly of elective officers who have campaign debts the to pay. ‘9. That the districting of the proposed : at That the constitution district and municipal purposes. and state, both for judicial in some instances and imposes does not provide a limit on taxation legis- a great for county, “1. That the constitution does not provide any reservation of power in the People for direct legislation by means of the initiative, a practical referendum, a airect primary or an advisory selectio n of United States senators by Popular vote, | h ‘12. That the constitution does not make provision meen election law or for a corrupt practices act. - That it igs provided in section Pe Ph bts Ah ap legislative ee the a That Set “4. doubles the number of members of both houses he per diem compensation over that in effect lative purposes is plainly inequitable hardship on the, people. rejection.*%7 members majority of the counties of New that we condemn the constitution Pe: was published'and found wide circulation prior to the election when of prominent Err Phd ‘ Par Pally Fe fp cule oe ee tee a may be said that the constitution as framed by the convention was a model of conservatism, when compared with present day progressive ideals. The democratic minority, through its leaders, was consistent in its opposition to many of the principal articles, but several s0called ‘‘conservative’’ democrats, men of great influence, declared that, in the election soon to be called, they would support the constitution, which they did.4% There were a great many of the democratic leaders, however, who did not approve of the constitution. The objections urged by them are voiced in a manifesto signed by the member of the national democratic committee from New Mexico, Andreius A. Jones, which up a eng FOP nee er er mo sures and articles in which they did not concur and which became a part of the constitution. notwithstanding their opposition. The convention completed its labors on November 21, 1910, and it made re adoption, bound them hand and foot, in this manner eliminating all independence of action or individuality, except as declared in the caucus, on the part of members thus compelled to vote for mea- by a convention It was as follows: II of the enabling “s~ ee ner oe Po rs leaders opposed to these ‘progressive principles,’’ once the presence of the members who had advocated their framed Ca ee ey es trolled by it secured was ‘We democrats from a large convention assembled, do declare * ‘“progressive’’ ideas of government, but the republican caucus, con- 1910, and democratic party. ee and other 087 The constitution as framed was of a kind which appealed to the judgment of the people in almost every particu lar. The extremists in government were disappointed, but that was to be expected. Some of these, because women were not given full suffrage; others because prohibition was not provided for directl y ; others because the Spanish-speaking citizen was so thoroughly protect ed in his rights ; hae eal ae ee ~b--* the adoption of the initiative and an effective referendum 1912 + of the republican majority, and without the support of whom, no article of the constitution could have been adopted. The adoption of the resolution by which the committee of twentyone was practically the arbiter of all measures advocated by members of the convention was the beginning of caucus control of the convention. A very respectable number of the members-elect of the constitutional convention were chosen upon a platform calling for TO for an effective and act, passed sess, that all lands granted in quantity or as an indemnity by con- shall be selected er er rr" e Ry RT Bsa eee >: * argon wis. 5 ~ 3 * ee e Dee ee 1 y= ie ne MEXICAN | OF NEW neeee FACTS i LEADING + 086 |