The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-18
WEDNESDAY. MARCH ls' 1885,
THE GoVEENOR AND A coNsii''
IIoNAL CONVENIiON.

Governor OForrall, in a puohsAou III
,eryiew. has stated very concisely certain
nronositlons which ne thinks the state
convention, to meet at stanton IN june
should give its endorsement TO il IL eA-
pects the people 10 vote in FAVOR OF
constitutional Convention ia May l>''
The Democratic Convention must hc says,
declare that tho Democratic party VIII
oppose any action by the constitutional
Convention which abolishcs the home
stead provision. it must oppose making
road service compulsory; 80 must declare
its opposition TO legislation radically
inimical 10 the railroads, 10 must declare
its opposition to unreasonable limitations
upon cooperative business enterprises
1t must declare that it Will make no dis
elimination In the use of the public free
school fund; and it must declare against
reduction of the public free school term
and impairment Of the public free school
system.
We hope most sincerely that the Demo
cratic Convention will make no declara-
ton in regard 10 q constitutional Con-
vention. unless it Dc against one. az an.
Whether there shall bc Constitutional
Convention or whether there shall not
be, is not matter that concerns members
Of the Democratic party alone. 1T is a
matter that concerns all people of Viz
ginia alike, whether Democrats, Republic
cans, Populsts. PrOhibitionists. or what
not, and 1t is not for one set Of Demo-
Gratis to seek to bind the consciences Of
other Democrats ia respect TO it, It
is a matter for each citizen 10 think over
and to decide for himself.
But the Governors suggestion raises
this consideration. The Democratic Con-
vention might declare that il was against
all the measures that the Governor mem
lions. SIN. that declaration would not
bind the Constitutional Convention. That
body would be perfectly free 10 adopt any
course in respect TO any one Of the
measures that a majority Of its members
chose 10 agree upon. We think 81 very
probable that the Constitutional Conven-
ton would not interfere with the home.
stead provision or make any reduction IN
the school fund. But the Democratic
Convention at Stanton may pass any
resolutions IL plcases. and We think The
probability is a Constitutional Conven-
lion would adopt radical and most
injurious provision for railroad CONF
missions that IL would adopt a provision
for what 1t would call "anti-rtstn mons.
ures. that would be most harmful TO the
commercial interests OF the State. and
that it would make very important dis
examinations in the expenditure of the
public free school fund
Whoever ia opposed TO any Interference
by tho State with any Of these matters
should oppose the Democratic Convention
making any declaration at all In regard
TO a Constitutional Convention, nlcs.
TO declare against H. and AN such should
vote against holding one I'm May. 1901
The real purpose now i'm view IN hold
Ing a Constitutional Convention is 20
provide that no mtciate person shall
be registered as voter unless ne can
understand the Constitution when read
TO him. The registration officer viii then
be expected to lind that an nntcratc white
men can understand 1t. and that 10 illit-
crate negro can. This VIII r.d us o.
the negro vote, but win found an of our
institutions upon fraudulent trick How
long can the character Of people sur
Yivc such a measure?
The party managers should remember
this also. The ilitcra,c white men re.
sent move to distfanchise for illiteracy.
III the Democratic party adopts the con-
Nen,ion as a party move nnterate white
mon VIII consider It an attack upon
them and they viii vote the Republican
ticket.