The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-04-24
TIE STATE CONSTITUTION.
II xssAGE FROM GOVERNOR KEEPER Oh
J THE SUBJECT. !,
He Suggests that Five or Seven Stafos-
men BIO Appointed to Prepare
! Substitute for the Present ----.
] Slate Constitution.

men DO AppOlNsSO 10 FroPnEe
Substitute for the Present -.
Slate Constitution.
The following message from Governor
Kemper was sent to both houses OF the
General Assembly yesterday: ~
"a" '' COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGIN1i,1 O.
+. #F GovEREoE's OFFICE,
: }" RICHMOND, 23d April, 1874. }
Gentlemen Of the Senate and House Of Del
e2ates :..s .s....; '-....... 49,. -
As your session is rapidly drawing to 3
close, and the chances for maturing further
legislation are hourly diminishing, am con-
strained by strong sense OF duty to call
YOUR attention to q subject which In my
opinion should be Immediately considered.
The Constitution Of the State ought to be
amended thoroughly and without unueces-
sary delay. Many Of its provisions, which
are properly within our control, are as odIous
to the people as they are mischieTous In ops-
ration. The longer we live under 1t the
greater the inclination to endure and to be-
come reconciled to even such Of its proyi-
sions as are vicious and demoralizing. Oc-
casionaI and partial changes Of some OF Its
particulars only serve to increase the DILL
Guilty OF Kidding the State Of the residue OF
fhe evil. II will hardly be questioned that
general public sentiment demands tho
rough revision Of that instrument. What
is wanted is q new Constitution which, With.
out irnpairing any existing right, will in all
respects conform to the habitudes, ideas, and
necessities Of the people of Virginia, as far
As may be consistent with our Federal and
inter state obligations. -----.-
The difficulty lies in the choice OF mode
for accomplishing the desired changes. The
creation Of constitutional convention at
this time would produce popular agitation
Hst TO be desired, and would involve ex-
penses which the treasury is in no condition
to bear. If, on the other hand, the General
Assembly should assume the task Of revising
the entire Constitution, such action would
probably prove not less expensive than the
work of convention Of the people, while 1t
may well be questioned If the Legislature
would be justified in entering upon, this
delicate and responsible task, for the per-
formance Of which it was not elected.
A different mode Of changing the Constitu-
ton would, in my opinion, avoid the obJec-
tions which apply to other plans. A COM
mission, composed OF five or seven STATES
men, combining the greatest experience, abl-
ity, and weight OF character to be had, would
be likely to frame such Constitution as
w ould commend itself to the approval OF the
Legislature and the people. Such a commits.
sion would involve but slight expense, and
if now created, its labors could be completed
in time to be submitted to the present Legs
lature at its next annual session. A Const-
tuition thus perfected, and carrying With 1t
such sanction and weight Of influence would
probably receive very little or no alteration
at the hands OF the Legislature, and would,
after being agreed to By two successive legls-
la.ures, be likely to be ratified by the people
in the mode prescribed by the twelfth article
of the present Constitution. 1t is not doubt
ed that an amendment in the nature OF SUD-
stitu.c for the whole Consritution-an amend
ment embracing the entire framework OF the
organic law Of the State-would be equally
as admissible under that article as the sepa-
rate amendment of any single provision.
1t is held to be clear that, so far as that
article attempts to restrain the people from
Changing the Constitution, it is wholly inef-
lectual for such purpose. Yet in making
such change, otherwise than through regu-
lar convention of the people, it is urged By
leading minds that we are bound to pro-
coed in the mode prescribed by the present
Constitution, and, without expressing any
opinion upon that question, | suggest it as
safest. in etfacting the proposed amendment
through the action of the Legislature and
without a convention, to conform TO the
mode so prescribed.
Our object should be to secure an amended
Constitution by the best means at our COM
mand. and with such speed as the cicctlm-
stances will allow. In view Of the fact that
any amendment made in accordance with the
requirements of the twelfth article must be
approved by two successive legislatures be-
fore being submitted to vote of the people,
two years Of delay will be avoided by pToYi-,
ding at your present session for the proposed
commission. If such amendment should fail
of being perfected and agreed to by the Lee
gislature during the present blennlai Term,
1t would necessarily have to De approved ny
the successive legislatures to be elected 10
wards the close OF the years 1870 ana 1871,
respectively, before it could be submitted 10
the people for ratification. Such delay OF
two years must result from failure to take
proper action before your approaching adj
journment; for it is hardly to! be supposed
that commission constituted at your next
and last session could complete its work in
manner and in time for your re-
vision during that session. '!f.'s.ot Z
LIZ CAioSiuS, SolsLlLOllOl ID u SlSdt DsA-
rier to the return of the public prosperity.
Its trainers were, in large proportion, strang.
ers by birth and previous residence, and
aliens in sentiment to our people. The
whole scheme, context, and composition OF
the Constitution show their unacquaintarce
with the wants OF the State, and even with
the rules Of the English vernaculsr. That
instrument imposes upon the impoverished
n ND LORI pf nfxcia q fr1Yp
work Of State and local government so COM
plicated and costly that it must OF neces-
sity be oppressive in any but wealthy and
densely settled State. After Virginia had
been stripped of o third Of her territory aud
more than half Of her material values, when
the Legislature should have been reduced in
numbers one-half and the Government con.
formed 10 the diminished size and resources
Of the State, the legislative department vas
made relatively larger, its sessions twice as
frequent, and the. whole machinery Of the
government rendered more expensive than
when the State was powerful, rich, aud pros
porous. The Constitution is full of details
which belong only to the domain Of ordinary
legislation. 1t puts unusual and needless
restrictions upon the legislative power,
which cripple the Government in It's efforts
to equalize the burtheDs Of taxation and to
restore the State credit. 1t contains ptovi-
Sions and illusions touching our past
history which are irritating and offer.
sige to majority Of the people, and
which were designed to stigniatize deeds
and facts such as illustrate the honor Of
Virginia and the heroism Of her dead
sons. 1t even lays saerjlegious hands
upon the bill OF rights, in some respects nu
tilates that great instrument. and seeks &c
louar II frnn the cnntroll;na, ,ralaSinn ita All