The Constitution 'menders

We trust that the Constitutional Comniis8ion which convened at Lansing the day before yesterday will not enter upon its labors with the idea that it is incumbent upon it to créate an entirely new Constitution. Maligned aa has been the present organic law of the State, it is to-day, despite its defects, superior to soine of the new Constitutiona of other States, and was proferred by the people to the instrument brought forth by the Convention of 1867. Let the Cominission seize upon its obnoctious features, and remedy them; upon its too restrictiveprovisions and remove them ; but let no change be made just for the sake of change, and let the order and arrangement, so thoroughly understood by all our citizens, be preserved. Tha Legislativo article needs very little tampering with ; unless the Commission is ready to adopt the minority representation features of the Illinois Constitution, which personally we should be glad to see tried. Other journals have suggested further restriction of the right to legislate touching municipalities, and that city and village charters should not be amended without the conourrence or assent of the people interested. And this should include the governing through Commissions authorized to saddle large debts apon citie despite the wishes of the people - whether for parks or any other purposo. The clause prohibiting the en act ment of a license law - equivalent to ordaining free trade in liquor - should oorne out of the Constituí iou ; but the power to créate a State debt, or to authorize local debts - for road or other purposes - should not be enlarged. In fact the power of taxation, general or looal, should the rather be limited than increased. Private enterprise may be relied upou to project and carry forward railroads as f ast os the wants of the State may demand. Besides, let the Commis8ion beware of an attempt to Ugislate in favor of paying railroad aid bonds now outstanding but held invalid by the Supreme Court. The people will indorse no such legislation-we cannot oall it Coustitution making. The Executive article needa little or no tampering with. The people will not give up the election of the several State otïicers, and it will not be advisable to créate too many new departments or to chango materially the duties and work of the present departments. A little restriction upon this tendeucy, as exhibited by reoent legislation may be desirable. The Judicial artical was manipulated, moulded and terribly slaughtered by the Convention of 1867, and proved the weak spot in the instrument it submitted. The people wantno more complicatedsystem of oourts than now, no intermedíate Supreme Court, no wheel within a wheel to delay and decrease the expense of finul deeiaions. Fewer circuits and better salaries is the one pressing need, and limiting the one uiay secure the other. The Educational artiolo should not be tampered with unless for explanation of doubtful pointe, settling complioated claims of jurisdiction, or to seoure nonpolitical boards, which may be done by providing for elections upon the minority plan. And it is in the election of Educational Boards the minority plan is desirable or important - if ever desirable. The Salary article will be one of the most important as well as delicate subjeots coming before the Commission. Touching the people's pockets or purses is touching their consciences. The salaries of the State and Judicial officers need increasing, and the appropriate body to fix and control them is the Legislature : that is, under stringent restrictiona. But in view of the recent backpay steal perpetrated by Congress it will be labor lost for the Commisson to leave anything to the discretion of the Legislatura - the people would not touch it with a f orty foot pole, or with one the length of the Atlantio cable. The artiole, then, must name the salaries, and must prohibit all perquisites or constructivo pay - like paying State offlcers for acting as a Board of State Auditors, as is now praoticed. The salaries should be liberal whereas they are now a mere pittance, and then the article fixing them miglit be submitted separately so as not to endanger the other work of the Commission. But we did not design to go over the whole ground and mark out the work of the Commission. When it developB its own views and airus we may have more to say. The Detroit Tribune of Tuesday announced that " Mr. Geo. V. N. Lotiirop has positively declined the appointnient as one of the members of the ConBtitutional Convention." It is understood that the declination of Mr. Lothrop is owing to pressing professional engageïnents. The Free Press of the same date reporta the appointment of Joseph R. Devereaux, of Houghton, vice S. P. Ely, deolined. "We know nothing of Mr. Devereaux, and cannot say wh ether or no he adds to or detracts from the strength of the Commigsion. And it makeg but little difference, for we tulce it for granted that the delay in appointraent, coupled with the oomposition of the Commission, make a failure in its work almost if not quite certain. - Since the above parograph was put in type it has been made publio that Ashlby Pond, Esq., of Detroit, has been appointed to fill the vacancy in the Commission made by the deelination of Mr. Lothrop; also that one Lysander Woodward, of Oakland County, succeeds T. D. Dewey, of Shiawassee, declined; and also that another vacanoy is yet unfilled. Mr. Pond is generally known through the State, at least to the legal fraternity, and his seleotion is favorably spoken of. Of Mr. Woodward we kuow nothing. - The Commission met at Lanaing, in the Senate Chamber, on Wednesday at noon, 12 of the 18 members being present, and organized temporarily by ing Hon. H. G. WïXjjï, President, and S. F. Cook, Secretary, - Rev. Dr, John Todd, distinguished as a preacher, lecturer, and writer - egpecially on eduoational subjects - died at nis home in Springfield, Mass., on Sunday last, in the 73d year of Lis age.