Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1896-01-10
THE LEGISLATURE AND A STATE
CONVENTION.

COIN v LN11OlNs
The Richmond Dispatch in reply to some
remarks of the VINDICATOR Oh the novel
proposition of short session of the legis-
lature, and to it's protest that the impor-
tant business before it should have a longer
Time allotted to its discharge, says there is
not the slightest probability of an earlier
adjournment than usual, and adds:
But the VINDICAToR is correct in saying that
| there is a great deal Of important business to
be disposed of. This is fact that admits of
no question And, in addition to all the cur
rent business, the opponents of a coEstitu-
tional convention are bound by the position
they occupy to show that the Legislature can
and will set on foot such reforms as will DO
away with the necessity of calling conven-
ton.
The opponents of convention have chosen
their own ground, and if they would justify
their position, they mnst SO legislate as to
compel the people to say at the end of the
session "Lo, see what the Legislature has
done. There's no sense now in talking about
calling convention, because every good
thing that we could expect of q convention
the Legislature has given u.s."
Either such EXPLANATIONS will greet the leg
islators upon their return to their homes. or
there will be renewed and increased clamor
for convention.
We do not believe that this Legislature
means to submit to the people the conven-
ton question. And, to be quite can
did, we are not sure that it would
be we'll to submit the question at the next
election. The vote should not be taken
until the people are ripe for convention. The
advocates of convention can afford to be pa
tient for a little while longer, for. unless We
are vastly mistaken, public sentiment is ri
penng on this question.
But the opponents of convention have said
that the Legislature could effect every reform
that convention could, and now let us see
them make good their assertions, or forever
hereafter hold their peace. I'm the first place.
let them reduce criminal charges. Let them
effect reform in the matter of sending to the
penitentiary so many short-term men. Let
them change the expensive mode now in vogue
for bringing convicts to the penitentiary. Let
them clear the jails of the prisoners now kept
there in idleness. Let them see to it that the
expenses of prosecutions are reduced, and.
where the legislative arm cannot correct lei
them prepare and submit to the next I1egisla-
ture needful amendments to the Constitution.
If the Disgatch is right in it's belief that
this legislature does not mean to submit
the question of constitutional convention,
then it may give up its hope of the passage
Of any reform bills. 1t is the opponents of
reform who are the opponents OF the con-
stitutional convention, and so our esteemed
contemporary will find out. The way to a
new constitution Is blocked by
the beEeficiaries of the present consti-
tuition. and the fight for a convention is
between those beneiciaries and the people, |
Those beneiciaries are strong both in ab1l-
ity and influence, and being men whose
living is guaranteed under the present con-
stitution and who have not the distracting
cares of the hard times and burdensome
taxation upon them. have the leisure to
make their fight. and make it well. Public
sentiment is ripe for the question, but the
hitch lies in the fact that the private inter
ests Of public men are not ripe for the
change. This legislature, whether it knows
it OF not. is on trial before the people Oil
this question, and the people will inspect
its work thoroughly.