Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-12
FROM MAJOR DANIEL.
rhe SsVvbfs Views on Proposed Con-
stitutiOnal Convention.
orn LAWS NEED REIMBURSEMENT.
yirsinia Has Not Lost the Art OF
constitution RemodeIiing, hut IL
In Danger of Rustins from Nom
Practice.

LYNCHBURG. VA. May lin re-
spouse TO letter from Lawyer W. o.
Haraavay. OF Roanoke. requesting his
views a. to the proposed constitutional
convention. Senator John w. Daniel has
written the following:
"LYNCHBURG. VA. May II. 1895.
Nv. O. Hardaway. Esq. Roanoke. Va:
My Dear Slr.-In response TO your
esteemed favor. / beg to say that l con-
fiGently expect TO attend the Roanoke
conference on May 18th. and am in favor
OF State constitutional convention.
The Underwood Constitution. under
which We live. would never have been
framed by people identified with the
interests OF Virginia. 1t was inspired
and shaped by aliens II was adopted as
the least Of evils TO escape from carpet
bag and bayonet rule. And II has been
endured rather because of the popular
WEAKNESS OF agitation than from any
favor IL has found in the esteem OF the
people
"I-he method OF amending It by piece
meal has been reSorted to in some IN
stances 10 its Improvement, but ex-
pcrience teaches US that when single
amendments are voted upon they often
receive but little attention at the polls,
and the existing Constitution remains, as
n whole. great burden upon our tax
PAYERS and f. ill-suitcd to our situation.
REDUCTION OF ASSESSMENTS.
There can be no question OF the fact
that We must contemplate In the near
future such reduced assessments on land
as will make the question of sufficient
II ~ 20,
The public credit OF the State. as well
"a 20 the taxpayers. The wisdom OF the
state should be timely invoked 10 meet
this question, and IL can best be met, in
nay humble judgment. by putting our
fundamental law more In harmony with
the cXigencies Of the times We live in.
The Democratic party, from IT'S foun-
Dalton, has been the peoples party. Such
u must remain. looking to economy OF
public expenditures and low taxes as the
best safeguards OF purity IN the govern
mont and prosperity amongst the masses.
And l believe the people of the State
will uphold 1t in its efforts 70 give them
a Constitution framed according to It's
principles.
The conservative and industrial classes
OF our people are those most interested
fn constitutional reform. We could lily
aNord as a State TO increase taxes, either
upon property or commerce. for all
sources OF revenue are already strained
We must conform ourselves TO our needs.
or else invite Vexatious problems and
injurious agitauons.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
The dignity Of Il constitutional con-
yent,On would excite the attention or our
wisest and best heads. and bring forth
the latent talent of the Commonwealth.
IN Presidents have been proud to sit In
Virginia conventions. The masses of our
citizens. always keenly alive when great
interests are plainly At stake. would sup
,ort men Of intelligence and character
FOR the responsible trust. Discussion
would lead to the fullest understanding
q our affairs and TO the best methods
Of treatment No interest, in my opinion,
would be menaced or injured, but the best
interests OF all subserved by invoking that
most august OF public bodies-the con-
stitutlonal convention-to shape for US a
law adapted TO our genius
as q people and 10 the changed ordeF OF
things that we have 70 deal with. Nearly
all Of the Southern States. and many OF
the Northern States have made new con-
stitutions since the civil war. We have
not lost the art. but II is IN danger OF
rustlng from non-practice.
Never but once has Virginia passed
through a period OF thirty years without
7 modelling her Constitution. The nrst
adopted In l7l6. lasted unul
lsca the second from lS29 10 leJo' the
tnir! from 1850 to the anomalous cond-
tons OF the civil war. With the exception
OF the existing Underwood Constitution
adopted I'm 1863, We have not had re-
modelling OF our Constitution since ls''.
A period Of nearly half a century mas
NtA for
time the benefit of our wisest men IN
council upon our fundamental law. Mean
while, vast changes have taken place.
greater than ever before In so long
period. and the time is ripe for adjusting
ourselves to them.
CAUTION IMPORTANT
while 1 have thus stated my feelings
md opinions, | should add. TO be en-
tirsly candid. that / believe the reform
iu contemplation will be surer of success
hv moving with caution and conservatism
We cannot separate ourselves from the
political and economic questions eXistihs
in the country at large. and we must
le. In a measure. guided by them In Sc
lecting the time for the submission OF this
important question 10 the people. Inc
Legislature 10 be hereafter chosen by
the people will lie fresh from their con
+ tueuts. and CIRCUMSTANCES AHVH e@i9''"o
can De best Judged by them
Il would. therefore, sum up my reply
10 your question by saying that / am
.n favor OF constitutional convention
The time for submitting the question to
be- considered hereafter by the General
a .sembly, according TO the lights then
be ore it. Very truly yours.
te.pneln JOHN w. DANIEL
THE VACANT COLLECTORSHIP.