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

To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
The "Bil of Rights" drawn by George
Mason, was adopted June II l7I6. With
some verbal changes, it has formed
mart OF all Of the constitutions of Vir-
einia. The first Constitution was adopted
unanimously on June %. ZIG. This Con-
stitution remained in force until 1880
Afterwards there was a constitutional
convention held In 1851.
On the 18th day of February, lSsi
number Of persons claiming the right to
represent Virginia assembled in conven-
ton at Alexandria, and adopted what
they called a constitution for the State.
The only thing remarkable about this
so-caled constitution is that 1t recog-
nized the separation OF West virginia
and abolished slavery by the 18th section
of the fourth article. Any one interested in
IL can examine II in eXtenso in the Acts
of the General Assembly of l&6-'6I, at
page 76i.
A regularly called convention, which as
semb.ed on the Sd day of December, 1861,
adopted another constitution, which was,
by order OF General Edward II. 5. Candy,
commanding Military District, No. Nir-
ginia), submitted to the people for ratifl-
cation July 6. 1869. 1t is our present
most Objectionable Constitution, known
as the Underwood Constitution. Section
of Article XII. provided that in the
year 1883 the question, shall there be a
convention to revise the Constitution and
amend the same" should be voted upon.
The question was submitted to the peo-
PIE, and a constitutional convention was
voted down by all enormous majority.
The question was voted upon in the presi-
Dental election of that year. and the
Democratic party voted against II almost
as a unit. That was not a proper time
to take the vote II any one really wanted
a new convention.
Eut be that as 1t may, persons who did
not faver II then will doubtless do so
now, when they have the opportunity.
Leaving out the first convention, we have
not had but four conventions In 100 years.
Only two out OF the four have been really
representative conventions-that is to say.
since the famous conventions OF 1879 30
and 1S50-'51 the people of Virginia have
really not had any convention. The con-
yention Of June 2, 17Ss. was called 10
ratify the Federal Constitution. and the
convention of February Is, 1851, Is known
as the Secession Convention. The Alex
andria convention o. 1864 was the merest
farce. and the convention OF 1867 was very
little better They were certainly not
representative bodies.
History shows that an immense number
OF attempts were made by the people to
get revision of the Constitution before
the Legislature at its session OF 1sg7-'2s.
passed law for taking the sense OF the
voters on a call OF a convention. Under
that law the vote was taken In 1873. Very
feu, n.,rsons had the right to vote in Eir-
einia at shat time. ana there were only
p. s96. for, TO 1886 votes against the pro-
posed convention.
Almost any one was eligible for place
in the convention. II made no difference
where the person resided, nor what office
he held. W
Chief-Justlce of the United States John
Marshall ives elected member OF that
body, and took part In Its deliberations. as
did also two ex-Presidsnts OF the United
states. Great things we're expected Of the