Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-11-23
The Convention Question


ton is question-frst of getting it.
and second, OF controlling It. But these
things are sure: There is an overwhelm-
ing demand In Virginia for pure elections,
and yet II goes without saying that the
whites will not permit the negroes to
control. II Is useless to discuss the why's
and wherefores. These are the facts,
and the problem must be solved upon
that basis.
So soon, therefore. as all the people
awake fully to this indisputable condition.
definite steps will be taken towards
final solution OF the problem.-Richmond
State.
Controlling IT! Why the people will con-
troll. The facts are fully understood,
and the people Of Virginia, the real peo-
pie, we believe, are now ready to 20 IN
for complete reform, pure elections, a
more economical management OF State
affairs. a less unwieldy judiciary system.
&C.. and they are ready to provide these
reforms on the proper basis.
The question Of getting convention
and controlling II in the interest Of the
people can be left to the people. They are
ready for 1t, We believe.--The Danville
Register.
We are getting nearer and nearer to a
constitutional convention. II upon the
next trial, or trials, of the Walton cleo
ton law II appears that the people are
content with that system of voting the
convention may be postponed awhile.
But before long the convention will come.
Our people are sick and tired Of election
squabbies and Of the ceaseless and often
groundless cry Of election frauds" and
are almost ready to treat the case heroi-
caiiy.
OF course We understand that the call
ing Of convention would involve our
party In more or less Of. risk, but what
better can we do?
Now and then we hear It ead that the
two houses Of the General Assembly are
fully competent to devise and propose
to the people an amendment affecting the
right of suffrage or any other ques-
ton. We don't think so. A convention
composed of the ablest men we could
summon to Richmond-and there Is hard
iy Virginian. no matter how distin-
guished, who would refuse election to
constitutional convention-would need
from sixty to ninety days to discuss and
decide upon this one question or SUI
frage--a length OF time no General AS
sembly would be able to give to the
subject The current work Of legislation
occupies members to the exclusion OF
other questions. No. the General Assem-
bly, hasn't the time to deal with this
weighty and perplexing question Nor can
we summon TO the General Assembly
such men as would answer our call Tor
their services In convention. a consti-
tutional convention Is historical body.
Madison and Monroe. after filling the
presidential chair. served Virginia In the
convention Of ls29-lS30. And SO did John
Marshall John Tyler. John Randolph,
Benjamin Watkins Leigh, w. b. Giles.
and others OF eminence. The best OF
living virginians would serve us now
II asked so to do.
We have had no convention since 1857
1865, when the hated Underwood presided
over one composed in large part OF car
pet baggers" and ''scalawags." and winch
gave US the instrument under which we
have been living ever since. True. the
General Assembly has proposed and the
people have adopted several amendments
which have bettered the Constitution
somewhat, but the suffrage article Is
now what II was when 1t was framed
by Underwood, Plat, Porter, DIR. Bayne.
Lewis Lindsey, and others. We have
borne with the Underwood Constitution
very patiently. What other people would
have been as patient with II. or the Ike
OF II. as we have been?
In our judgment the people Of Virginia
have resolved to try the Australian bal
lot thoroughly and we'll II II grows In
favor, II under II the debased portion
OF our voting population ceases to men
ace us. II win staye of convention;
but II not then whittier can we turn for
relief but to constitutional convention?
Give us peace" Is the demand Of our
people. Put the ballot only In the hands
OF men who know how to use it. Don't
tell US that 1.-The negro vote is no longer
to bc feared" Nonsense. The recent ex-
perience Of North Carolina teaches US
that the negro vote is still a menace;
r'll' 70 ~ drs~dN --~~-c'>- - whites
divide or slumher At their posts
Those who do not IKE the conyention
ices--tnose WHO arv~a ...e s.sA- -..---s
certainly have to take Ia having con-
yention--would batter help 10 make the
elections Of next spring pass OF smoothly
and satisfactorily. The Walton law was Ill
understood upon ~ ART triaL It will be
better undoPntood ,,s<re a. sanavsH rial