The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-02-21
A Convention.

The vote in the House OF Delegates IN
s.rncting the committee to bring in Dill
for the calling of o, convention TO ameho
the STATE Constitution is an event somewhat
s,rprising. There is no necessity Tor such
convention that we are aware OF. The
Constitution made for us when the will OF
Virginia was held somewhat in allegiance
by the military power is one which has
some excellent provisions, and with the
amendments already made to. it Is not only
endurable, but suggests the question "he-
Their it is not better one than that which
we had before the war.
Furthermore, the means for amending
the Constitution prescribed in that lnstra-
ment itself are so practical that the calling
a convention for the purpose OF amendment
is altogether supererogatory. why, there
fore, should this State incur the expense OF
a convention for the purpose Of amending
the Constitution? 1t would be most Gen.
srable waste of public means, with no
earthly advantage. We see the Legislature
economizing IN the most rigid manner by
curtaling the compensation OF officers TO
an almost ruinous degree. Shall the state,
upon the threshold of this crusade against
extravaganza, undertake the hazard OF thls
useless convention for purpose that may
so easily be accomplished in the same man.
ner that some very valuable amendments
have been already made to the oonstltu-
ton?
The apparent readiness Of the "popular
branch y a the General Assembly to launch
this superepogatory convention upon the
State may we'll excite anxiety. Is it that
radical changes are desired which cannot be
subjected to public investis CATION and discus
sion atthis time! Is there purpose to lliu-
mine the path OF repudiation and so nix the
Constitution as to make the way easy? Orisit
desired to break down the Court OF Appeals,
and so remove that stumbling block in the
way OF those who make no hesitation to
deny the obligations OF Virginia to pay
back the money with which she built her
public works, which are now in active OF
Grafton and doing what they may to improve
the wealth and contentment Of the people
and enrich the State that she may be en-
ab!ed to fulfil her pledges?
Does the desire for new convention
spring from any disposition to accomplish
the objects here named? We warn the
people OF Virginia OF the spirit existing
here, and invite them to watch the pro-
ceedinss OF their representatives.
II Virginia is ready. TO go down the de-
Ginning way to infamy and despair, why,
we know nothing that can better accom-
plisn this destiny than the consumniation OF
the apparent wishes of the majority OF the.
House. of Delegates. We can assure the
people OF Virgin la that the descent will be
az rapid as could be desired, and that the:
opposite course must be one OF slow pro-,
gress and patient toll; but one leads to
ruin and the other to the temple Of honor.
On one hand our people must expect to
land in the region Of despair, to see their
personal welfare wrecked and the public
fame OF their State brought to disgrace. On.
the other, they may gratefully anticipate the
rehabilitation OF their grand old mother in
her garb of pride aad honor, and her Eco
pie secure in their peace, thrift, and con-
ttntsnenf. III, I'll III 80 4;
Il convention now can subserye no good
purpose, and il the Legislature calls 1t the
intention will he to further distress Vir-i
ginia and carry her along upon the way OF
dishonor and embarrassment; and all this
that certain ambitious persons may elevate
themselves TO position and control in the
governmental the State. Pa