Only a quarter-century passed after statehood before Missourians began to get restless about their state constitution. Some parts of that first state charter were no good from the beginning; others became obsolete with the passage of time. When a consstitutional convention was finally called, the sides were drawn: the frontier against the older, more thickly settled parts of the state. The same rivalry exists today as urban versus rural. Many of the problems which confronted the drafters of that constitution are matters yet to be satisfactorily overcome.

AOWM – November 17