The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-05-15


this city began talking among them
selves about the imperfections and dis
advantages of the Under wood constitu,
ton, which was adopted in 1859 at Rich
mond under very Instantaneous cir
cumstances, and about the advisRbllity
OF Virginia holding q constiiu tional con-
vention. This local agitation resulted
In a number of newspaper interviews
on the subject and OF several such men
as Hon. H. S. Trout, 7. II. Fishburne,
P. l.. Terry, Hon. ]. Allen Watts, Thos
W. Miller, e. Il. Stewart, James M
Gambill and other professional and bus.
mess men, expressing themselves as be-
ing in favor Of o thorough revision of
tho Underwood constitution.
Letters were written and published in
all parts of the State by w. o. Hard
away, Walter Ii. Saunders. Hon. B. e.
Jones and others on the advisability of
changing the constitution, which caused
the question to be widely agitated and
discussed by many people who arc In
interested in the affairs Of the State.
The direct outcome of this was cir
oular letter written March 20, by Chas
1. Stewart, w. O. Hardaway, S. e. Jones
and II. 8. Trout and sent to various
parties all over the State. The letter
Ia as follows
1.-THE question Of holding constitu-
tional convention is now the public mat
ter that ia uppermost In the minds OF
the people of Virginia. During the last
twelve months there has been much
valuable discussion throughout the
State, and public sentiment seems TO be
now ripe for strong and successful
movement to rid our commonwealth OF
the crudities and burdens Of the Unders
wood shame. There comes stage in
every movement for reform when ag-
gressive action ia necessary before sue
cess can be obtained. Discussion must
be the forerunner OF organization and
organization the agency by which the
elimination Is to be accomplished. We
believe the time has now come for those
who have been active in this movement,
and who have the welfare of our great
State ct heart, to mako determined
effort that Virginia may BIO given bet.
ter government to meet together and
confer as to the best mea Ms of obtaining
the end we so greatly desire.
believing that tho prosperity and
happiness of the people of this State is
dear TO you, and that you fully ap-
preciate the necessity for careful
revision of our organic laws, that the
material, aocial ana political welfare of
this commonwealth may be promoted,
we write to AJAX if you will meet the
undersigned and other Dem ocrats, in
the city Of Roanoke, on the 18th day OF
May next, to confer and to discuss the
question as to what steps should be
taken to insure the early holding of q
constitutional convention.
1--WE take the liberty to invite you to
Roanoke for conference and consulte-
tlon upon this important matter because
the subject has been thoroughly dis.
cussed In this community, and the
movement already has the hearty ap-
prevail and support of large msiority
of our people. We hope that this letter
will receive your earnest and favorable
consideration"
Although this letter was sent to only
few people mparstively, all Demo.
Gratis who recognize the imperfection of
the existing constitution are invited.and
will be welcomed by the gentlemen who
promoted the enterprise, and those in.
terested confidently assert that what
ever may be the outcome OF the confer
ence the original purpose has been se-
cured-thst of thorough agitation. Thew
claim that the matter has through this
channel reached the masses OF the poo.
pie, and ultimately constitutional con.
vention will be held and the burdens of
the Underwood constitu ton removed.
The gentlemen under whose auspices
the conference will be hold went to
work and secured reduced hotel rates
and reduced fares over the Norfolk and
Western, the Chesapeake and Ohio and
the baltimore and Ohio railroads for
the visitors. A large number of the
most prominent and influential people
OF the State, in all professions and bus
mess, have signiHed their intention OF
being present and quite q crowd Is ex-
pecsed to be here to-day. The meeting
will be called to order by one OF the
gentlemen who signed the circular let
ter, yet tosbe selected, and an address OF
welcome will be made by Mayor Jones.
The meeting will convene at high noon
and 10 expected to DO In session tod
and tomorrow.
1t is difficult to tell at this time
exactly what the attendance will be,
But the leaders are encouraged by the
prospects for large and Interesting
gathering. The committee has received
replies from q large percentage of the
invitations sent out, and as the circular
calling the meeting was not extensively
distributed 1t is expected that number
OF gentlemen who have not replied, and
who did not receive formal invitation
will be present. The mem bers of the
committee who issued the call make
no estimate Of the number expected and
this ia necessarily to great extent
problem atical.
There Is also an element of uncer-
tainty necessarily in what will be the
final action OF the conference. The pro.
moters declare that there is no dispo-