The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-04-27


Committee Endorsing the objects and
Promising to Attend-Judge Waller
X, Stapler, Hon. Harry st. George
Tucker, Hon. Marshall Mccormick,
Eppa Hunton, Jr., and Many Others.
Responses to the call for conference
OF the friends Of the movement for 3
constitutional convention continue to
be received by Mr.. w. O. Hardaway for
the committee, and there is every res-
son to believe there will be large and
representativeg gathering. The commit
tee is in receipt of a letter from General
Passenger Agent w. B. Bevill, OF the
Norfolk and Western railroad, stating
that a rate will be offered based on or
about one fare and q third for the round
trip to Roanoke and return, for all per-
sons who desire 10 attend the confer
ence.
Among the prominent men who have
signihed their intention Of being pres-
emit are Judge Waller R. Staples, Hon.
Harry ST. George Tucker, Hon. Mar
shall Mccormick, Epps Hunton n, Jr.,
Eugene Withers. OF Danville, who made
fight in the Legislature at the last ses-
sion for convention. James Hay, q
member of the legislature from Madison
county; r. j. Washington. OF West
moreland county; j. w. Bausell, editor
of the Lebanon News, of Russell
county; @. I. Israel. editor of the Shen-
andoah Argus; Frank Nelson, of Camp
bell county; j. M. Hodgin, Of Bowling
Green; G Redd, of Beaver Dam; G. Hat
ton, of Portsmouth; Charles Hall Davis,
OF Petersburg, and Joseph G. Fiveash.
OF the Norfolk Public Ledger.
zr Attorney General j. Taylor Scott,
red by professional and public duties.
The following extracts from the letters
received show the general tenor of the
majority of the responses which the
committee Is receiving:
Camm. Patteson, Of buckingham
county, prominent member OF the leg
islature, writes: II am heartily in
favor of the call for constitutional
convention and l will Ger tainly attend
the Roanoke meeting next month II my
professional engagements will permit.
The present existing status Of affairs Is
becoming intolerable and the material
progress of the State of Virginia is, and
has been, seriously retarded by the
present execrable constitution under
VIII CHI we live. 1t is not now nor ever
was suited to the needs of our people.
1t was not the work of Virginia people,
but OF their enemies, and as time passes
1t becomes more and more burdensome.
A healthy public sentiment demands a
change, and the sooner 1t is made the
better it will be for the prosperity OF
our people.
Hon. Jos. w. Southall, Senator from
Amelia and Prince Edward, says: "Our
present constitution, as might have
been expected from the character and
complexion of the majority OF it's franz.
ers, Ia not at all suited to the needs of
the people OF this commonwealth, and
should, in my opinion, be adapted to
those needs at as early day as posi-
BILE. The genius Of our people requires
that there should be some restriction in
the right of suffrage. This is crying
necessity. Again, there is something
to be changed in the system and method
of our courts Of law. The dilatoriness
able. [ am heartily in sympathy with
the movement and will, II possible, at
tend the conference to be held in your
city. And will do all 1 can to induce
other good Democrats to do the same"
r. L. Barton the we'll known law au-
thor: For many reasons l have been for
years and am now in favor Of consti-
tutional convention, provided, we can
be reasonably sure of two things: First,
that the property and intelligence OF
the State will be able to control 1t. Sec
ond, that the terms of office of the cir
cult and court of appeals judges so re-
Gently elected should not be disturbed
Our civilization depends upon the first.
Harm would 1 think, result from q new
change Of judges. l would like to at
tend the conference fixed for May Is,
but 1t comes at time when I am es-
pecially busy with my courts, and I
fear 1t will be impossible"
A. 8. Segar, q lawyer of Hampton:
~ desire to say that I am heartily in
favor Of 8 convention of the people at
the earliest possible date to revise and
amend our present State constitution.
Casting aside all other questions as OF
minor Importance thereto, public policy
and public morals imperatively demand
a revision of the right of suffrage and
the proper qualification OF this great
prerogative of citizenship. The impor-
lance OF this question alone is sufficient
to justify the cost of the proposed con-
vention. 1t is the one great vital ques-
tion Of the hour that rises in trans
scendent Importance high above every
other question Of Slate politics."
A. f. Withrow, contractor Of Clifton
Forge, member of the Legislature. and
friend OF Senator Martin: ~ am
heartily in sympathy with this move.
ment and hope to be able to get to Roa.
noke May 49,"
j. &c. Mason, Of King George county: