Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-09
MIR. BARTON ON THE CONVENTION.

Among the letters published by the
State newspaper discussing the consti-
tutional convention question we find one
from the Hon. r. 7. Barton, of Win
chester. He fayors a convention, pro-
vided it can be controlled "by our own
ueopIe." But he seems to have doubts as to
whether il would be controlled by our
people: and on this branch of the sub
ject he expresses his purpose to consult
friends in active political life who know
or ought 10 know, so much more" than he
does as 10 that matter. Mr.. Barton
thinks a convention exceedingly desira-
BILE to restrict the suffrage TO those
CAPABLE OF exercising it for the public
good" and to relieve the people from 1.-The
multiplication OF Offices and ~oft-repsat-
ed elections" But he declares that eff
there is grave danger Of the conventions
being controlled by the very people to
whose partaking in the. right Of suffrage
he objects, I'VE would run the risk Of
making our condition worse rather than
better"
MIR. Barton's position is that of thou
sands of other prudent Democrats. They
vised and amended, but they wish to be
reasonably sure if a convention is called,
that the right sort of men will be en-
trusted with membership therein. But
there's the rub If we Democrats were
agreed as to the central objects Of a
constitutional convention, the situation
would not be so embarrassing. But our
last State Democratic Convention studi-
ously avoided committing our party in
favor OF constitutional convention, and
hence every Virginia Democrat has been
left 10 decide for himself whether he will
vote AYE" or mo" upon the proposition
TO be submitted on the 9th of May.
Nor are those Democrats who would
vote FAYE" decided in their own minds
what convention. If ordered.
ought to attempt. Thus we see
Il proposed that the present county
court system shall be abolished and the
justices system Reconstructed; that the Su-
preme and Circuit Court judges be elect
ed by the people, that "the Basement
officers" be elected by the people; that
the schoolrtaxes be distributed TO the
schools Of the two races in proportion as
each race has contributed thereto, that
the right of suffrage be restricted, so as
10 rule out the dangerous class Of voters;
that popular elections be made Of much
less frequency than now; that the offices
Of Sheriff and Treasurer be consolidated;
that many of the present county officers
be Topped off, etc.
There is also a proposition, which has
awakened widespread alarm In the oyster
country that the States holdings in oys-
ter-beds be sold outright and the State
debt reduced TO that extent.
No wonder that Mr.. Barton is de-
termined to inquire as TO the danger OF
the convention being controlled by the
very people to whose partaking IN the
rights Of suffrage" be objects.
But it is asserted that If the people let
the 9th OF May pass without ordering
constitutional convention, needed schemes
of reform will be postponed indefinitely
I'm our opinion, this is not the correct
view. 1t is a baseless fear. We cannot
believe that the subject will be dropped
until the, State Constitution has been
amended in several respects. II we do
not avail ourselves of the privilege Of
ordering a convention on the 9th of May,
A. would rest with the Legislature 10 order
another vote OF the people. or 10 pro-
coed itself TO amend the Constitution by
legislative process. .
In either event our party would have
time (Which It hasn't now, TO get to-
gether" and determine upon the CHIEF
changes it would support. In that way
we might quiet the apprehensions now so
general In the oyster country. In that
way we might quiet some OF the appre-
tensions felt in some other quarters. ana
concentrate our whole effort and entire
strength upon the great ends In view
Bir. Barton's letter shows that he Is
real friend Of constitutional conyen-
tion. The matter that he is going TO In
quire about before he makes up his mind
how 10 vote Is a matter that is disturbing
many others as well as him. Each Demo-
crat must decide il for himself, and ac-
cordingiy as he believes that the times
are favorable or otherwise for the as