Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-23
SATURDAY MARCH %. 1s9'
The Ronncse Conference.

The ROnnrkt
Tho neople OF Roanoke. through com
tn,t,ee composed OF MessrS Charics
\ stey.art. w. O. Hardaway. :. H. jones'
and u s. Trout, have issued circular
letter inviting prominent Democrats VI
a.. state 10 meet them In CONFER
once In that city on May 18th TO discuss
.h, question of a constitutional conven-
ton.
Tho committee say that the subject mas
been thoroughly discussed In tha' COM
rnuni,y. and that the movement area"y
has the hearty support ana approval oi
their people.
That before many years have passed we
,rc 10 have convention to revise anu
amend the Underwood-Teamoh consul
,u.ion we cannot but believe. Every
othcr Southern State has thrown OH
,,s reconst-uction-,irncs constitution, and
4, is much to be regretted that We VIZ
ginians did not face the question: anu
have n convention four or I'VE years ago.
our people are tired Of the UNDERWOOD
Constitution. Besides. looking at the pc
yiolicIty Of conventions In virginia III
,he mast we see that it is about time Tor
US IN be revising our Constitution IN the
,iaht Of the experience that we have hai
since the present Constitution was ADOPT
al.
our first state convention was IN l"o'
our next in l7s7-Ss 90 ratify
Che Federal Constitution: the next
In 1920: the next in 1890; the next
an 1se, ("the Secession convention, ana
Che next in lS57-'6S The Alexandra con-
MENTION we ignore altogether.
we are quite willing that the enterpris-
INC and "wideswalse" city Of Roanoke
should have the honor OF MANIPULATING
,h,s movement. and we trust that the
conference will be wen attended: but we
,pus. urge the conference 10 ponder every
-, that 4, takes In this matter. We
Ssnt n convention that viii Improve
cur Constitution. not make II worse
nm q, is now. In other words. this Is
n work that we are unwilling TO entrust
10 any but Democratic hands. We want
no Constitution patched up by hepuDN-
cans. Populsts Fusionists. etc. 80 let
ms be careful while we are pronouncihg
In favor OF a constitutional convention
not to commit ourselves to any policy
which will force us into an election at
"a time when we have reason TO doubt
that the Democrats could elect n clear
majority Of the members of the conven-
tion.
Al the present moment we should say
that our party would be almost sure 10
vim IA such contest. but we 90 not
know what the future has In store i"r
us. There are three or four clements NJ
work in Virginia To create discord IN
our party. and while we have every rea-
son TO believe that the true ana
steadfast Democrats will triumph over
them all we should nevertheless neglect
mo Drecaution 10 keep our ranks united
and our front unbroken.
So. while we think the Roanoke con-
ference may voice the sentiment OF the
Democrats of the State as TO the holu-
ing Of n convention TO revise ana amend
our State Convention. 1t would better
not seek to bind our members OF the Cen
eral Assembly as TO the time OF 'aN-
ing the popular vote.
our members Of the General Assembly
viii have far more information on this
subject when they meet here in Decem-
Der next. than the Roanoke conference
can have on the 18th Of May. Quite pos
riSly. the political atmosphere IN thls
State may be so clarified by December
that "a vote on the convention question
may be safely ordered then. In that
event IL should be ordered without de-
Law; but. IL our horizon Is cloudy then
a. to the taking
OF the vote.
The work Of constitution-framing for this
State we repeat. should be COM
united TO none but Democratic HANDS.
and the more stalwart the Democrats
VINO form the majority Of the convention
The better II will be for the people. espe-
cialIy for the tax-paying people, Of Nir-
ginla
We shah doubtless be told that ours Is
an ovor-cautlous policy; that there
g. no danger Of convention falling
into unirustworthy hands. etc. yet II
tHis be 80. no harm can be done by re-
fs.rying to the Democratic members OF
the General Assembly the privilege OF
exercising their own judgment as to the
time OF submitting the convention ques-
ton TO vote. The first General Assem-
bly, to meet after the people have agreed
20 have a convention would be the body
TO say how and when members Of the
convention should be chosen.
The following is the Roanoke circular:
ROANOKE. VA, March 90 1895.
; Dear Slr.-The question Of holding a
constitutional convention Is now the pub
lie matter that is uppermost in the minds
OF the people OF Virginia. During the
past twelve months there has been much
valuable discussion throughout the State.
and public sentiment seems 10 be now
ripe for a strong and successful move
ment TO rid our Commonwealth of the
cruditles and burdens OF the Underwood
shame. There comes "a stage In every
movement for reform when aggressive
action is necessary before success can be
obtained. Discussion must be the fore
runner Of organization, and organization
the agency by which the elimination IL
10 be accomplished. We believe the time
has now come for those who have been
,ctiye In this movement and who have the
wslfare OF our great State at heart to
make a determined efror. that Virginia
may be given a better government 10
meet together and confer as to the best
mean Of obtaining the end we 80 greatly
desire.
Believing that the prosperity and hap
pipess OF the people Of this State are dear
10 YOU. and that you fully appreciate the
necessity for careful revision VI our Or
gauic laws. that the matesi@.. s,c.al sA.i
r.oliticai welfare Of this Commonwealth
nav he promoted, We write TO ask II
vo, will meet the undersigned and other
Democrats in the city OF Roanoke on the
iCth day OF May next. TO confer. and to
DISCUSS the question as to what steps
x,ould be taken TO insure the early hold
ing OF a constitutional convention.
We take the liberty TO invite you TO
Hoanoke for conference and consultation
uooa thie important matter. because