Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-01

convention, but the troublesome sMvesy
question caused much DISAPPOINTMENT :"
the final result. ,.,,cv
Ii assembled in the Capitol at u o. CLOCK
Monday. october s. 1873. Its session Ias.s.
three months and half. 1t was proyioeo
IN thai Constitution that the judges
should be elected by the General Assem-,
bly. But the convention which assemo'ea
october IA, $50. and adjourned Angus, -
ISL. provided In the Constitution Nh.n
was framed by II that the judges OF IN
supreme Court OF Appeals and OF the cur
cult courts should be elected by the pep
pie. This Constitution was adopted oy
vote, $780, for, to l5,5es against u; A..
The people have never since tnat une
had Ian opportunity OF voting on ,n.'
question again. and II is more than propa-
BILE that they would restore that i'n
portant provision. 4. nm
parent to all thinking men. and the can
for Il can only be defeated by the place.
holders In the dominant party.
Tho people want 1t. The Demoora.'c
PARTY in tho Empire State retused 70
listen to the popular demand TOT con,
yention. so 1t was called and cohtrohe'
bv the Republicans. The following state
ment shows the number and dates Oh al
of our Virginia conventions. ana the pu.
noses for which they were calleu-uo-"l =
May 6. I77G. to June %, l'o-lo iorih
Constitution. 80, .t,,
June 2. 1883. to June q. 1870 ratny
United states Constitution. .ooo -.
October s. 1899. to June To- i""
emend Constitution. ,o-, NJ
October IA, 1850, 10 August l.
amend Constitution. ,es, No.
February 13. 1861, TO August l. A''
secede from the Union. - Sc,
June II. 1851, to August IL i%i-
West Virginia Union countles' 49,, ~.
February 10. 1864, to April IL, iSof-Io
form West Virginia. .o.o ,..a.r
December 3. 1861, TO April II. 1S6S-Under-
wood Constitution.
The Constitution adopted by the re-
construction convention and snomitteo "
the people in April, 1863, ID our pfese"'
Constitution. 49, 6rst
All Of the constitutions after the nrst
were submitted to the people eNeep' '"o'e
adopted during the war. ..o
Persons who favor changes III 81
sake of change have never had iiiuen '0'
lowing In Virginia. ,ro,,a
But the idea that we cahho' i'ip.
our organic law by means OF cohstltu.
tIonal convention finds no faVor VIZ.
thoughtful people. Men VINO couIu no
be induced on any 'cihiS ~
the General Assembly will eagerly sees
nIaces in the constitutional convention.
There can be no doubt that we VIII ger
ont our ablest men. and that we can
materially advance the general interests
OF the Commonwealth by holding con-
stitutional convention.
The Underwood Constitution was
framed for very much more thickly-set-
fled community. and under II we pay
a number Of officers who are really not
necessary. ,,,.
The disposition to force any discussion
of what the convention may or should
not do into n large political gathering
like the Democrats convention 10 De
held at stanton IL untimely.
we should not in any way forestall its
action. That convention will have other
very important duties to perform, ana
~ II does those well 1T will please the
neople. But let us prepare the way Tor
The nroposed constitutional convention by
careful thought and an investigation or
ALI the constitutions of our sister stat y
SO that we may select such organic la"i
as experience has shown to be best
Respectfully. 8. s. p. PATTEsoN.
Richmond, Va. March 90, 1896.