The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-04-16
GEN. FIELDS ARGUMENT.


To the Editor of The Times:-In your
paper of the 9Th instant you copy from
the Richmond Dispatch AN interview of
it's correspondent with Hon. w. y. Jones,
member of Congress from Virginia, OH
the proposed constitutional INVENTION.
With your kind permission, ms the sub
jecU is of great Importance, l will review
Mr.. Jones' objection to the convention
do not regard his objections, notwith-
standing his acknowledged ability and
long experience in public service, as either
profound or statesmanlike. He saws
1.-THE Democratic party and the press are
divided as to the desira5ilty of holding
che convention, ETC., etc." This is very
narrow, and smacks too much of parti-
zanship. We want u constitution for the
State; not for the Democratic party, or
any other party, nor indeed especially for
the press. The wants and requirements
of the masses of the people should be the
controlling cause. Everybody admits
the imperfections of the present constitu-
ton, Mr. Jones among them.
Now If this necessity is recognized by
the State, why is it not desirable to
have u convention: Mr.. Jones says "there
is great division of sentiment. This is
potent reason why the convention
should be called to frame our organic law
and remove this division of sentiment.
Mr.. Jones says Democrats are making Il
mistake when they agitate the subject
We are told that the Republicans are
opposed to the convention. Is it the
Jones' policy to keep the Democratic
party in line with the Republican party
on this subject? What is the bond OF
sympathy and union. Is it that the Re
publicans have universal suffrage, and
the Democrats universal CfficesY Mr..
Jones further objects "that there is great
diversity of opinion rs to the objects to
be Gttained' In reply, | will say that
there Is no diversity of opinion rs to the
general need of the convention There is
doubtless some diversity of opinion ms to
the details of the work the convention
will do. This has always been so, and
will continue. If such diversity as now
exists is cause for not calling II conven.
ton, then the time will never come when
we should be assembled. Men will
always differ as to details. A convention
is the only method by which this diver
sity of detail can be properly harmonized
MIR. Jones further Objects because
needed amendments can be more eXpedi-
tiously and far more economically ac-
complished through the legislature. If
so why has it not been doney The Under
wood constitu1 lion has been upon the
State for nearly thirty years, and no sub.
stantial amendment has been made or
ever attempted by the legislature. The
convention that adopted this constitu
tion seems to have regarded It as proyi.
sional, for it provided for calling a con-
vention in 1888 and every twenty years
thereafter. and gave the Legislature power
at any time ad interim to submit the
question to vote of the people. Nothing
has been accomplished through the legis.
lature and nothing will be. These an
swers to Mr.. Jones' objections are salts
factory 70 my own mind, and I submit
them for your OWN. and your readers con-
sideration. Let the general good he our
aim.
Why ia constitutional convention
necessary ut this time: Without very
much elaboration, l propose to answer
this question.
l. The present constitution, in it's
formation, was alien to Virginia. 1t was
formulated by n body OF men, who did
not represent the social. intellectual nor
the moral sentiment of Virginia. Neither
did it represent the property interest of
the State. Judge John G. Underwood
was the master spirit and the moving in
tiuence of that convention. The tradi
tions of Virginia were not at all precious
to him. They are to me-
:. This constitution is not promotive
vi ohe Scucr'tl Weui OF Une people. we
want clear, compact, inexpensive form
OF State government. The government
form is too elaborate and diffused There
is not II single department of the govern
ment that is not crowded with superfu-
tiles From one third to one. half the
Offices could be abolished and the func-
tions of State government more promptly,
more ably and more economically admin
istered. We have about one bundled
and fifty judges. This number could be
reduced about one-half to good advan-
taee. Our county and city organizations
and our public school system are over
crowded with officers. The present organ-
ration of our judiciary causes too much
delay in the execution of the laws This
delay causes much abatement of conf
dence ON the part OF the people TO courts
and tends to.produce lynchings and other
disorders.
8. The present form OF State govern
ment is too expensive. For State, county
ana CORPORATION purposes the people in
the depths of poverty and distress are
taxed annually some six millions of dol.
lars. One fourth of this goes into the
pockets of the Office holders. one third of
whom are wholly unnecessary and hinder
rather than promote the public interest.
4. The present constitution is so radi-
cally vicious that to amend it, it must he
re-made If only n few sections needed