The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-05-16
WANT A CONVENTION.
lcontinued from rrst page.l

| stftutiOn was framed IN 1879 o. under
which the people lived until and through
the unsettled conditions OF the civil war.
! The PRESENT ORGANIC LAW.
In 1862 at time when Virginia was
! Military District No. !. the present con-
stitution' was made. The convention was
dominated by aliens Its president and
| secretary were not natives OF virginia
! The constitution Itself was all that the
native vireinians aid not want. IL has
| been changed and modified from time to
| time in minor ways but the cumDei some
framework and its multiplicity OF oillce-
| holders remain.
The time has come for change. ~ IS
time 10 fashion a new instrument Re-
forms OF This kind have gone on an
over the country. There is not state
in the South that has not had new
constitution or modified the old one.
We are now Tn a depressed financial
condition. but il is rot for brave. eOur-
ageous hard-wo king men 10 surIehueI'
This * not the first time that panics
have struck the financial world, nor VIII
II be the last. We have had them III
all ages. They grow out Of the nature
OF man, indepedeat II the teh'poi ai
means. 80
s,itution TO attribute this panic to IT. or
ia the offfce-holders under IT, There is
no svsten Of currency. there Is no sys-
fem Of any thing that can take out OF
human nature these changes or me.
II All your legislators were Solomons'
the pcople themselves would get INTO
trouble and would curse the legislature
NOT N FAVOR CT IT As AZ ISSUE.
While I am in favor Of a new constitu-
ton. ! am not in favor OF pushing that
issue 10 the front Of all other issues.
The burdens we bear from Federal lcsls-
Iatlon are greater than those that come
upon us from Richmond After all, our
state taxation is only 40 cents upon the
500 worth Of property. which In hush
times and hours of sunshine the people
could easily bear
You may rejoice Ia the fact that the
Democratic party in Virginia has given
YOU good government. with no puDllc
scandals. and with little deficits from
the treasury,
believe the causes Of this panic are
due to the confused condition OF the cur
rency Of the world. We need not specu-
late on the remedies that the Federal
Government may adopt In economy as
well as charity, the proper place 10 beslh
is al home.
We may not be able TO control the pol
icy OF the Federal Government. but we
can control our own Commonwealth III
the counties, in the towns, and in the
State.
one way IS TO form a new constitution
on the most economic basis. The TWEEN
tleth year period. required by law Will not
arrive until 1908. ] think II would be un-
wise to make this an issue in the next
legislative campaign. IL should be left 10
the General Assembly. who will be gov
erned by the condition of the times.
In foggy weather the prudent mariner
does not put on full steam and al such
a time as this the boldest craftsmanship
should be guided by those who are most
anxious 10 be sure-fo0ted. rather than
neet-footed. When we have so many issues
to deal with, we would show wisdom ID
not pressing this ahead Of all others but
be guided by the exigen,'es Of the time.
In 1896 we are going 10 have In the
United states the biggest crop Of roll
tiles we have witnessed since loGl. the
LEGISLATURE will meet I'm the winter, which
will be near that time. and they can act
with more wisdom In the matter than We
can now.
The wisdom Of this hour would be best
subsoryod by this Judgment. That we
favor a convention is certain. but she
time should be settled 10y the next Legs
laturc. who are 10 be guided by the best
lights before them. This Is, in my opinion
the sentiment Of this state to-day
PERMANENT ORGANIZATION.
At the conclusion of Major Daniels
address. the Committee on Permanent or
ganization presented a report through
H. y Bel. of ROckbridge county. namiIs
Mr. X. G. Murray, editor Of the Norfolk
Landmark, as permanent chairman, COL
j. l.. Marye, Of Lynchburg, permanent
secretary. and all the representatives OF
the newspapers as permanent assistant
secretaries
The following vice-presidents were
named-one from each congressional dis
trict: j. ". q. Blackstone, ". Sans,
George l.. Christian C.. h. Davis. Eugene
Withers. r ". Scott. II. T.. Byrd. j. b.
McCabe, Herbert Peters, A. +. With
row
The report was unanimously adopted.
The Chair then appointed the following
committee on resolutions, 10 whom all
resolutions should be referred, without de-
bate; W. O. Hardaway, Hon. John W
Daniel w. O. Saunders. Il. T.. Barham.
Charles D. DENT. B. y. Bell, W. w
Berkeley, and Thomas W. Miller.
Hon. j. Allen Watts, OF this city, was
called upon for an address. but he de-
clined, merely saying that ne was hearth
~ in favor Of the movement TO secure
new Constitution.
Colonel George Carr was also called
upon but he, too. declined TO speak.
on motion of Mr.. Hardaway. the con-
ference adjourned until $50 o'clock T.. n.
THE FAVORABLE ABsrNTrrs.
Among those who sent favorable re-
sponses 10 the invitations, but who were
not present are: W. b. Eanes. Henry
county: Micajah Woods. Charlottesville.
j. j. Howell, Wythevlle; y. G. Mansen.
Ir.. Lynchburg; Julian Bryant, Rich
mond. Il. /. Leary and j. c. Parke.
Franklin; John Sage, Beardam; Thomas
b. Robinson, EasWille, W. J. Nelms
Newport News: T. l.. Cockrell. Alexan-
dria: J. -. Prctlow. Franklin: Nathan A.
Hail. Chatham; A. :. Priddy, Keysville.
A. s. Leagar. Hampton. Thomas ID. Ran
som. stanton, j. +. Manson, King
George county; James ". Southan,
Amelia; John l.. Lee. Lynchburg; Il.
y. Brown. Pulaski. George =. Haw. Rich
mOnd. Joseph G. Fireash. Norfolk. q. 4.
Israel. Shenandoah; Marshall Mccormick.
Berryvile; Eppa Hunton, Jr.; Judge Wal
Ter Il. Staples. Richmond: Camm Pate
son. Buckingham. Hill Montague. Rich
mand: Frank Gilmer Charlottesville. J.
l.. Campbell. Bedford; a. X Leake,
Goochland: Frank ST Clair. Wytheville.
Alexander Warner. Portsmouth. b. ".
Petty, Page county; ;. :. Reid. Beaver
dam; J. Il. Tucker. Richmond. Il. Wash
ington. Westmorciand; Thomas Russell.
Accomac.
REVOLUTIONS ADOrTFD.
Although the conference adjourned to
meet at $50 IL was an hour later when