The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-02-15
Ill., co,rention Question.


We stated the other day that VIC khe" OF
MT ono reason why state Convention 10
49,. ~. constitution should be called. We
o,.c inclined to think that there are no r'a-
sons TO he offered in favor of such call
which would stand the test of public dis
cussion. The Lynchburg Tirgn'aa en-
presses surprise that we should oppose the
call. but leaves lis in the dark as to why we
should favor It. 1t declares that the prcscnl
Constitution is radically defective" but i
ancs no; tell us what that instrument lacks.
II also saws that 1t "entails too much cS-
pense upon u.s." but does not specify the pre-
visions which are the cause Of this expense.
nor indicate what sort Of ones should be sub
stitutcd for them. Now. no one can prove /"
negative proposition. We do not feel under
any OBLIGATION TO furnish reasons why Con-
ycption should not be called. 1t is the duty
of those who favor such call to give reasons
for the faith that is in them. We are not
welded to the opinion which we hastily eN-
pressed the other day on this subject. If 1--WE
can be convinced that it is to the interest OF
shall lie called, we are ready to unite in the
demand for it. Who will give us the reasons
for such q call?
Let liz examine the Constitution. Wcllhc
thc features Of it which define the duties and
powers of the Executive. No one would
wish 10 reduce the Governors salary, or to
deprive him of the veto power. or OF the
mower to convene the General Assembly ON
extraordinary occasions, or, 50 fur as we can
now recall them, Of any Of the powers which
are entrusted to his hands. We take It for
granted, then, that no one would wish tic
Constitution changed in any feature OF II
which concerns the Executive department OF
the Government.
Next let Us examine the provisions III re-
card 10 the Legislature We find none here
to object to. Some people think the nicln-
bcrs receive TOO much pay, butt needs II"
Convention to reduce that. We do not think
their pay too high. We do not think they
are allowed to meet too often, nor to sit too
long, nor that either House is too large.
Then comes the judicial department. We
are sure that there are not too many Judges
Of the supreme Court of Appeals, and that
their pay is not more than they ought to
lave. We can make the same remark rs 10
the c;rc:lt Judges. And rs 10 the county
court, we believe that TO be the most popular
tribunal in Virginia. The Judges Of it do
the most work for the smallest pay of any
l.. =, tl,n tutn | hn - fp
call Il Convention merely III Il means OF COM
pclling a "ncw deal" and thus allording to
asprants chance to become the successors
of the present Judges III any one of the tri-
buuals we have named. 1t would be az great
awrong rs it would be for the present Legs
lature to destroy the dignity of the county
courts, and reduce the pay of the county
Judges, in order that each one of half Il dozen
prominent lawyers may have chance to get
one of the new circuit judgcShipS. Look,
too, at the SouthSide and the Peninsula. In
every county there lisa judge of good charac-
ter elected by the Legislature. lie protects
the property and the pcrsons-thc rights OF
property and Of pcrson-of every man i'll his
county. But abolish these courts and Sub>t:-
tutc judges or iusIiccS-a bench OF magis-
tratcs or Il single judgc-c!cctcd by the poor.
ignorant negroes, and the whites would have
SO guarantee for any Of their rights. Pro
perry would lie at the mercy of negro JUS
ticcS, and shecp-steaicrs, chckcn-thievcs.
llo.-ianciers, and worthless yagabonds OF all
sorts, would riot in the license Of unre-
W IL III. - ~
judicial department needs reformation.
Would the Tirgin,dn abolish public
schools: There is not man in the Legis-
laturc who would dare to say that he is i'll
favor OF their abolition-certainly not one
who has 4 future. We need SAY no more oil
this point until we can hear OF at least one
candidate for Congress, OF the Legislature, OF
for some office within the gift of the
people, who is willing to avow his opposition
to public schools.
Is il the township system that the Virgin.
ian would do away with? Perhaps 1t Is,
Bat we have long had the counties divided
into Justices districts. Township taxes are
an annoyance, but as they are all spent
Wlllllll luc toNHSuils tucS VIII never ptCullit
oppressive. Townships are closely COZ.
nected With the public schools. They are
instrumental in the making of good roads.
We believe that no instance eau be referred
to i'll which a people who had tried the
township system have ever agreed to abolish
ii. We do not know enough concerning
them to give any decided opinion as to their
disturbances or their burthensomcness.
But supposing them to be much more objcc,
tionable than they are, who would call a
Constitutional Convention to get rid oil
them?
We have indicated q few Of the reasons
why Convention should not be called
Who will give US the argument on the Other
side;
GRANT AND BLACK FR,DAY.-The For
Wayne Qndianal Sentinel publishes what
purports to DO report of an interview lie