Liberia <•- 



eighteen months' continuous administration before his policy is 

 challenged. Under these circumstances a continuous and progressive 

 policy is almost impossible because an advance is nullified by a 

 return to the old unprogressive conditions. We are to some extent 

 going around a circle. We have worn out and sacrificed many 

 of our brainiest men without any corresponding national benefit. 

 A member of the Legislature is of very little service until after his 

 first term. If he is not re-elected, the $1,200 dollars the State has 

 paid him is as much wasted as if it had been thrown into the sea. 

 For every avocation in life men must Have a special training. It 

 takes quite two years for even a fairly well-educated man to learn 

 the House ; how to manage it ; how to catch its ear — and interest 

 it ; the rules of order and of business ; how to deal with the leaders ; 

 how to conciliate and compromise with opponents ; and where to 

 go for and how to obtain information on matters of public concern. 

 The good sense of the people has usually accorded to the President 

 and members of the Legislature two terms at least, but many good 

 men have been forced out of the public service by the expense and 

 worry of constant elections. For more than thirty years the necessity 

 for an amendment of the Constitution has been discussed, and agreed 

 upon as a national want. 



The amendments have been framed, passed the Legislature and 

 submitted to the people at the least on three occasions. Why have 

 they not been carried ? Because of a want of moral courage on the 

 part of the men in office, and because of the selfishness of political 

 opponents. Why sacrifice the interest of the country to our passions 

 and prejudices ? If the amendments are adopted, all will have the 

 same chance. But I would not advise that the necessary amend- 

 ments be considered at this session. I would like to see first of all 

 a plank in the platform of some political part)' to the effect that 

 the Constitution ought to be amended. In two years the people 

 will have become accustomed to the idea, will have had time to 

 hear and consider the reasons for the changes, and will be ready 

 doubtless to adopt them. Perhaps it would be better, in order 

 to avoid any charge of self-seeking, if the Legislature passed an Act 

 providing for the calling of a Constitutional Convention for framing 

 a new Constitution, which might embody most of the features of the 

 present, submitting same to the peojole for adoption. It would 

 greatly simplify matters. 



332 



