Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-15
A constitutional Convention.
cThc stanton VIndlcat0r)

Chc stanton NndlCatorD
Governor O'Ferrau. after stating his OBJ
tections 10 the calling Of a constitutional
convention. intimates that the Legisla-
ture now I'm session can accomplish the
desired reforms by legislative enactment
or by submitting TO the people amend
ments TO the present Constitution. It is
I'm our opinion. as certain as anything
I'm legislation can be. that such Work
will not De accomplished by the body now
I'm session at Richmond. II Is a work or
great magnitude. needing preparation ana
the members have not cone there "q'nu-u
Tor a. Like every other advocate or
convention we are perfectly willing TO let
the LEGISLATURE try it's hand at II. but the
people viii demand TO know before II ad-
iourns whether IL has accomplished H. II
trey have. then that ends the necessity
for the convention: n they have not
then they must call one. Something. II is
certain, must be done. The peope or
Virginia cannot bear their present bur
demand above ALL the farming element
cannot. Men who hardy felt their taxes
when wheat was $50 and corn so cents
are hard-pressed by having to pay-with
wheat at IS cents. and corn at 50 cents,
cattle at 8 ID cents. horses at one half
/
same salaries. the same myriad Of public
officials they had 10 pay before.
They cannot understand the costly ad-
ministration in this state. compared with
that Of our ncxt-door neighbor North
/ Carolina. a state equally we'll governed.
/ They cannot take In the reasons for Nir-
ginia's extravagant aggregate for her ju-
/ iicia, system In comparison with that OF
/ our neighbOr. They cannot understand
! how Constitution which was so uni
versauv condemned by taxpayers when
| L was adopted should find so many de-
! tenders now: nor does ii give them any
] comfort under their burdens 10 find that
/ rullv % per cent Of the beneilclaries-
| those who hold Offices from the highest
70 the lowest-are in favor Of maintaining
! the cold system"
| As far as the Democratic party Is con-
! cerned IN this matter. they find them
selves confronted by a strange political
/ situation The leaders Of the Republican
! marty are opposing a convention, because
/ II NAV bring about an educational quail
| dcation for the ballot. something that VIII
FOR the time reduce their party strength.
/ 4 number Of place-ho'ding Democrats or
| prominence. are opposing II because, Ike
the convention Of 1850 IL may place their
! future prospects IT the disp Of the
! direct vote Of the people. a number or
small. place-hOlding Democrats are Oppos-
ing fl from the fear that the Offices they
hold. being not vitality necessary % good
Government. viii be swept away. That Is
he plain and honest truth Of the matter
,e far as the political ASPECT of c0nvon-
/ ton or no convention is concerned. Nhle
| .be hard-pressed taxpayers OF both par
| los are thinking Of saving their money
those Of both parties who have or expect
% have places are thinking of saving
/ heir places.
we are not as optimistic as the Cover
| nor as to the probability Of this Legisla-
! flra doing the work OF a convention. IT'S
| nembers. as a body have not prepared
/ yourselves for g.. and IL is work that
| needs preparation. The people want a re-
luctlon Of expenses. they want the SLOW
! .roceeeee OF Justice civil and criminal
IN the courts FASTENED; they want the SUI
! ,sr0uous list ~ Office holders cat down;
tbev want the administration Of the gov
/ arnn,euf ulaced nearer TO the voters-as
= was by the convention Of 1850. Is TINS
LEGISLATURE equipped 10 undertake tn0
/ ,,,rlo Is any representative with his
eve on another term ready TO make war
N the network of officials that SPREADS
,ver the State. from the county district
~ -.
This Legislature VIII sit for ninety days.
When the closing days Of the sess on CONE
80, - e-ae frof IL has not justified the
confidence Governor O'FerraI has III us
/ overs will il then call convention
0r vcnl n point 10 a few thousand dollars
saved here and there; a few petty offices
onned off. and then promise to come
cain In 1897. and do a few more days
york on the lob? The people TO 20 on
oav,ng in the mean timel Tinkerlng al
avs is an unsatisfactory process, Out
.1c., iagfe'atnre extends It's night 10
multifold tinkering with constitution
Is not Likely q" profit anybody much
Won may rest assured that they VIII De 50
hewildered by the size Of the job That they
-,w not hurt anybody much, ana tha'
ifter they adjourn the salary-ura"e's
will feel comfortably safe.
We shall soon see what OF promise there
10 In the LEGISLATURE and we shall watch
ctoeelv for il. And not only we, but the
-.,o,le ~ the state. In their burden-Oear-
t,, thew have had hope, most pathetic
a., a. confidence. that something would De
lone 10 relieve them. As the kichhohl
,,,goatcb a paper that well understands
ne asplrations OF the Virginia people,
says: ..t,oa
"year after year have they waited
an opportunity, often ana over again
have their hopes been deferred put '"s
@-,,lar nurnose remoins unclaimed
They have hoped that the Democrauc
oarty would do II for them Ihey nav
ro, looked 10 the Republican party, be-
~ - a. uas Republicans who placed the
lent constitution and its burdens on
,bero They will not forever submit to
.h,s hone being deferred-their paiient
citing may be turned TO passionate
haste And in their anger the Democratic
vofex NAV sweep awry eve-v le,der "ho
! has onposed the fruition OF that hope.
This Legislature has graz p'nsi
bnity resting upon it. How VIII IL treat
! Il?