Constitutions and Constitutional Conventions in Missouri (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1920 edition. Excerpt: ... Constitutional Convention Of 1875. While there is evidence that after the elimination of the "iron-clad oath" and its accompanying sections the people were fairly well satisfied with the Constitution of 1865, the overthrow of the radical Republicans in the election of 1870 made it inevitable that their chief work should be subjected to attack. In his inaugural message in 1871, Governor B. Gratz Brown advised the Legislature to consider the question of a Constitutional Convention.89 Two years later, at the conclusion of his term, he renewed his recommendation in stronger words.90 At the same time, the new Governor, Silas Woodson, a moderate Democrat who had been chosen as a compromise candidate, in his inaugural address, spoke at length upon the subject.91 While recognizing that the Constitution still contained some objectionable provisions, he was unwilling to recommend a convention because of the expense and the danger that it would be a partisan body. He stated that both branches of the Republicans were opposed to revision and while some Democrats agreed with them he believed that Democrats only favored the proposition. Moreover, he believed that defects in the Constitution could be remedied by amendments proposed by the Legislature. Governor Woodson evidently became converted to the prevailing sentiment of his party as on March 25, 1874, he approved the "Act to authorize a vote of the people to be taken upon the question whether a convention shall be held for the purpose of revising and amending the Constitution of this State."92 That he was right in his estimate of the opposition to the measure is shown by the fact that at the election the following November the proposition carried by a majority of only 283 in a total vote of...