The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-12-19
4irt,mond lispatth.
WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 10. 1883.
Constitutional Amendments.

has no Constitution in the american sense
OF the word " constitution" Indeed, this
word still retains in that country It's origi-
nal Specification OF law, ruie, or regula-
ton, though IL is also used TO describe
what law-writers call the Constitution OF
England. This latter Constitution has
been evolved in the course Of time.
No convention ever assembled In that
country 10 frame constitution. " IL
lest growed." like TOPsEY. IL has
made itself by gradual accrc'ions. 1t
Is the outcome Of hundreds OF years OF
legislation and hundreds Of judicial dcci-
sionS. II is "suryiyal OF the iittest."
4 convention 10 reform our State Con-
s,ituiion might do a good deal Of harm, or
il nigh, do a good deal a good. Nobody
could foretell what sort Of Constitution
would result. Nobody could guarantee that
such a convention would not omit from
the new constitution some OF the best pro-
visions in the existing one. That is, the
convention might or might not omit them.
II would be clothed with absolute power.
lcxccptlng only the restrictions imposed by
the Constitution OF the United StateS,) ana
would submit to the voters constitution
which would either have 10 be rejected rs
a whole or ratified as whole; and history
tells, us that almost every constitution
which was ever thus submitted (we'cannot
now recall an exception was ratified by
the voters. These seem 10 dc fond OF
change for the sake Ct change.
We draw the inference That the Legisla-
turc ought not TO submit the question Of
calling State convention TO the voters Of
Virginia unless that body shall, after due
reflection. free discussion, and full iuvesti-
CATION. deem it best that a convention
should be called. Why noty Because, as
we have ntimatod. the people are very apt
To vote in favor OF q convention whether
one ought to be held or not. How could
this bcY We answer that the voters in
favor Of a convention would vote for it,
whilst the opponents Of convention, be-
ing more Indifferent and careless, might
either stay at home or. il the question were
submitted AZ n regular election. refrain
from voting on this question. On such
questions the masses Of the people seldom
become much interested.
There seems TO be n prevalent impress
sion that in order to accomplish certain
ends deemed desirable by some persons a
convention is indispensable. This is q
mistaken impression. The Legislature has
all the powers Of Convention, except
that n convention might possibly be al
lowed TO adopt a constitution itself, and
not submit il to the voters for ratiiication.)
1t can propose any changes or amendments
that a convention could propose. The
language Of the present Constitution i'm
poses no restrictions whatever upon the
power Of the General Assembly to propose
II leaves it to the people.
however, to decide whether these amend
ments shall become parts Of the Constitu-
ton or not. " Any amendment or amend
mentS 10 the Constitution may be pro
posed" says that instrument.
For example, there are persons who de-
sire 10 see the old county-cOmt system re-
yiyed. We do not if for no other reason
because we do not believe that II C0utd be
revived. The new court would probably
be ridiculous, instead OF the digniied. im-
partial, grand old court that once conSti-
tuted the most conservative institution III
Virginia. But let this be rs il may, there
is nothing to prevent the Legislature from
submitting to the voters an amendment re-
storing the old county-cOurt system, or
proposing any other sort OF county court.
So a. to the circuit courts. The Legis-
lature can propose TO the voters any
changes il may deem desirable; and ii the
proposed amendments be ratified. and
thew provide forsuch changes as would ne
cessitaio the dismissal Of all the present
circuit Judges. these officials would have
70 ..sicp down aad outs There would
Sc no appeal fron .he decision OF the poo
PIE.
80 n 10 She Supreme Court Of Appeals.
This iTibuna. Fan he rc0rganized II the
N,ter, 30 ord'r. The term OF office can
bc en-, short il the public voice demand it,
or an the JUDGES dismissed. There IS no.
thing TO prevent If the voters ratify an
amendment providing fer it.
So n TO superintendent Of Public IN
Siruction. His term Of Office is four years
bat the Legislature, though it cannot itseli
shorten that term, can propose such
change in the Constitution as would result
in retiring Mr.. FARR.
so as to any change Of any sort that tho
General Assembly may desire to make IN
the Constitution. IL has full power tC
propose all such changes.
But LEI not the Legislature again sub
nit amendments en- bloc. Let each amend
mcnt proposed stand on its own merits
Do not compel the voters to ratiiy ali O.
none. This was done in 1876, and resulted
in the ratification Of one or more amend
ments which ought never to have beer
ratified, and which the voters were not il
favor OF ratiiying.
The demonstrations made in Henry an
Patrick counties in favor Of conyentio
TO frame new Constitution have Gale
our attention to this subject. We hay
thus been led into making these remarks
We have not desired nor intended TO sue
gest any amendments OF any sort 10 th
Constitution; but have SIMPLY illustrate
our argument by referring to amendment
that might be proposed, and objects tina
might be accomplished. without resortin
10 State convention. We would be con
tent to allow all officers now in place {
serve out their full terms, except such a
might be and ought TO be removed 70
cause.
-------