Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-04-03
Vi UHt DfECIAIOR,
Amend the Constitution.

| The large number of floating and irresponsi
BILE people who have been made voters in the
States under the operations of the 14th anG
18th amendments, and the reconstruction
measures applied to the South, have given
rise to the corrupting practice of offering tc
buy and the more ready desire to sell the
votes of such venal political tramps. The
northern capitalists, in order to control the
southern States furnished the money with
which to carry the elections and the southern
people have probably in some black districts
been compelled to defend themselves, as best
they could, to preserve local governments for
the good and safety of all parties. 1t is this
great crime against an independent suffrage
aimed at the reconstructed South by the
dominant party capitalists, which inaugural
ed a practice over the whole Union which is
exciting the indignation of all right thinking
men. The Western States, to aid in drawing
Immigrants, placed wide open to all corners
the election franchise so that suffrage in the
United States, is well nigh unlimited. The
lack of patriotism, of intelligence, of RESPONSE
bihty, pecuniary and moral, and of local at
tachments, disqualifies for suffrage that mer-
cenary balance of power in elections. which
is up for sale to the dread of parties.
REFORM.
Reformation along the whole line of States
is necessary to give effect to the deliberate
judgment of majority of the voters in ma
tional elections; to give stability and conf
dence in the government at home and abroad.
Fraud and corruption in the governments,
city and State, are more fragrant at the North
than IN the South, as manifested by recent
developments. The patriotic and moral
consciousness of the people should assert it.
self in general reform in su ffrage, which is
the initial and pivotal point in our system of
government, and on which it must stand or
fall. 1t is already with great difficulty that
good man can attain to, and be continued in
high office. 1t is subject of urgent necess-
ty.
The State of Mississippi, about four years
ago, amended her constitution. Its action
on suffrage, required certain degree of in
telligence and permanent identity of interest
with the locality, and was probably not sub
mitted to the people for ratification. This
change was assailed in Congress as violation
of the 18th and 18th amendments, but was
very ably defended by Senator George. The
Republicans having retired from power, the
subject dropped. The new mode of voting In
Virginia is also assailed, but there can be little
doubt of its entire fairness and constitutional
ity.
A convention to improve the franchise
would find it very difficult to adapt it to the
approval of majority of the people. If not
submitted for ratification it would be stoutly
resisted by the disfranchised. An appeal to
Congress to declare the form of government
unrepublican and remit the State to military
domination would probably be made and
issues of such gravity should not be lightly
raised. There appears disposition in many
States to try similar systems of ballotirg,
which promise better things in the future
1t is desirable that amendments to the con-
stitutlon should be submitted separately by
the Legislature, so that each one may be pass
ed on its own merits. A new, or amended
constitution submitted at once, by conven-
ton, would doubtless have changes which
would be Objectionable to many persons who
would be compelled to vote for them, or de-
feat others which they might greatly favor
A convention ordered, would bring out
large number of candidates in each district, or
county, for a seat in the convention. In the
canvass for votes there would be promises
made to support all sorts of crude and OBJ
jectionable provisions, and lead to combina-
tons hurtful to the public interests. 1t would
be feld-day for ambitious aspirants for
promotion, from which little conservative &C.
ton could be expected. Propositions for the
creation of new offices and departments might
fully be expected. Hopes of relief from pres
ent complaints would be excited, and the
popular mind would tend to following ex-
pectations and promises. There are graver
objections to convention, which time will
not now allow me to present, which the peo-
pie should carefully consider before they
commit themselves on this very important
subject.
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