Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-31
The Constitutional Convention
Question.
10 The EdIlor OF The Dispatch.

Question.
| To the Editor Of the Dispatch
In your issue Of May IS. 1885. you pub
| llsh letter OF Mr.. Eugene Withers, Of
! Danviile which he winds up with the
| following query.
"Wn It's (the Democratic parity leaders
permit relief to be given?"
! Undoubtedly they viii. But when and
I how? The question his letter asks is a
! little different, as follows:
| "Will the Democratic party leaders per-
\ NIT the holding OF a constitutional con-
/ vcnti0nY'
| Now. l am not leader and do not
want 90 be considered as absolutely un-
atcrably and unreasonably opposed TO the
| holding Of q constitutional convention,
but | am now opposed, as ] was during
1 the session OF the last Legislature. to
tho calling Of a constitutional cOnven-
ton. without first making proper and
adequate preparation for It.
Mr.. Withers's figures are. In all proba-
bility. absolutely correct He is. no doubt,
right In saying that the expenses Of our
| state Government under our present Con-
stitution are beyond our resources. There
is no doubt about II: that in view Of the
falling OF Of values IN real estate. by the
new assessment. We have got 20 reduce eX-
perses In some way increase taxation, or
face a deficit.
All these facts being settled and adj
mitted the question still remains, VIII
a constitutional convention at this time
or in the near future provide a certain
and sun-cure for all our ills-a way out
OF the wilderness?
Two OF the most dangerous things IN
this world are a gun and a man that
goes of half-cocked.
are We now IN a condition for co1stl-
tutional convention. and what would such
convention had now do for as?
Let MS consider the matter fully and
calmly.
For illustration. suppose a constitu-
tlonal convention 20 be assembled prior
20 the next session OF the General ASS M
bly, IL Is not now. as ! am told II was
before and Immediately after the war;
that the best minds OF the state COM
posed its conventional bodi ana as
eembles Those best minds are generally
now too busy trying 10 make a living 10
fool with politics.
Suppose said convention 10 be assem-
bled In Richmond body Of some hun
dreds Of delegates. all or nearly AL am
bilious young politicians. the object OF
their assemblage being. Of couise, the
formulation and adoption OF a new con-
sttution for the state of Virginia not
on article Of which has been promulgated
not one provision OF which has been con-
sidered or discussed by the people or the
press Of the state
Ny limited experience hasn't given me
any too much confidence in the Work
done by such conventional bodies.
In the complete absence Of any formu-
lated EXPRESSION by the people each ana
every delegate with few exceptions VIII
come To the convention with little con-
stitution Of his own in his inside pocket
which he will endeayoT 10 have the con-
Vcnticn adopt.
What will be the result? After an almost
endless amount OF wrangling, log-roll-
ing cornbination-ma and such like
there will possibly be adopted by said
convention q constitution, the like OF
which for general plain cussedness this
country has never before seen
l. for one, pray earnestly that TINS
old State Of Virginia may be delivered
from any such conventional body. Let us
not 60 of half-cocked about this thing.
Agltate the question as much a. you can.
Discuss IL as much and as freely as posi-
bly, but. in the mean time, let as have
another session of the General Assembly
Let tho Democratic leaders Of that
General Assembly clearly and maturely
consider upon practically accurate in
formation. the problems that are before
the Democratic party OF this State for
solution.
These problems being clearly stated and
understood. II no better solution appears.
let that General Assembly, by joint resO-
luton. appoint a commission composed
Of a limited number of the best minds OF
the State, Of whom Mr.. Withers may pos
sibly be one, 10 prepare and formulate a
new Constitution for the State Of Viz
ginia.
Let the Constitution so prepared and
Promulgated be put before the people. So
that they may know its provisions
Let IL be fully and freely considered
and discussed by the people ana the
press Of the State and the result will
be an expression OF opinion by the people
so clear, so plain. so unequivocal that no
man in this State. be he leader in the
Democratic party or not, Will dare fail
to do what he can towards carrying out
the will Of the people. Constitution
so prepared may need amendments and
alterations, but this very discussion and
consideration by the people and the press
will show wherein amendments are need
ed.
After all this has been. done. and the
will OF the people has been clearly eX-
pressed and understood, let the resultant
Constitution be adopted in the way most
advisable ana least exp nSi'e.
By constitutional convention? Yes II
that is the most advisable and least ex-
pensive way. In the next General Assem-
bly, there viii be made determined effort
to get II 10 order or call a constitutional
convention.
Should the General Assembly DO this,
without first having a constitution pre-
pared and formulated, or otherwise ar
ranging for the consideration and dis
cussion OF the main features Of new
Constitution by the people and the press,
IL would be almost as bad as If we were
TO have such a convention before the next
session of the Legislature.
The next General Assembly has grave
question for its consideration, and il viii
not do for its members 10 simply say
convention" under the supposition that
merely ordering or calling a constitutional
convention will cure all ills, and bring
about the mllerium.
Too much power in the hands OF an in
competent body Of men is the most dan
CerOus menace known TO the stability Of a
government
In having a constitutional convention we
are putting absolute power, so far as our
State Government Is concerned, in the
hands Of conventional body Let US
take at least a little time and make an
EFFORT TO have the members OF that body
competent. For the sake Of the good
name OF the old State and the traditions
OF the Democratic party let us not, by
desperate and illy-considered efforts TO
extricate our State affairs from the
morass, plunge them still deeper into the
mud. CHARLES f. NELSON,