Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-22
wuy A coNvENrloN NOW.

=
The following is an cxtracI from an
editorial IN the Charlottesville Pfogress
which IN ono OF the ablest OF the adj
yocates OF a constitutional con yeniion:
..V,rginia needs a constitution that
will give us an efficient and cconomlc"i
state government, by abolshinS All un-
necessary Offices and officials. cnrta'i-
ing the number OF Judges and prosecute
ing attorneys, and forcing the STATE III,
Suiu;ions TO curtai their expenses an
i've upon an economical basis. III heeuS
n constitution that Will change the en-
fire court system and lessen crhh'n"i
and other court expenses; That VIII re-
ouire state officials to make an EXHIBIT
az all money received and disbursen'
mat will lessen the number OF state
elections and have them occur al the
same time as national elections mat
xciu nrovjde for the election o; Judges
and all state officials by the peop'e-
one In short. that VIII reduce eNe'!
possibe item OF expense. apollsn eN''H
needless ofEce. do away with every nm
necessary election, and give TO the Peo-
ple a practical. business-like. eIDcl.n''
ana economical administration OF S'a,e
government This much. at least cou'u
he done. without regard 10 the question
OF putting elections pcSohu '"e P'''
bility of unfairness.'
This outline embraces important
woodwork which. II It IA 20 be done az
All. should be entrusted 10 very able ana
patriotic hands.
II Is also work that can be best done
when politics are at their normal stage
and when the public mind Is not harried
nv questions such as are now VeXinS
u,. 1t Is work that Should he calmly
homework uhnfuenced by passing pas
sions and the whims of the hour.
Are the times suspicious for the cleo
ton OF such delegates TO conventoh'
We think not The State Democratic
convention held a. stanton last spring
thought not else it would have COM
nitted the party in favor OF a consiitn-
tional convention. But the Democratic
convention made no deliverance at all
which can be construed as making the
constitutional convention question
party question
As preliminary 70 having con-
stitutional convention, our party IN
convention assembled would better COM
init itself 10 the scheme and state IN
brief what il would expect conVen-
ton 10 accomplish. A complete pohcy
could not be formulated. but the public
MIGHT well be informed as to the general
purposes of the constitutional conveh-
ton proposed.
We submit to our brother Democrats
that il would be well for us to vote no
on the convention question on the
fourth Thursday in May, and let 1t be
understood that as soon as possible our
party, as party. will consider the
whole question and occupy position
which will consolidate the entire Demo-
cratic vote in relation thereto.
The Dispatch has long wished to see
a constitutional convention assembled in
virginia. There is work for 1t TO DO;
but. we think. there would be danger
in summoning such n convention just
now We might be disappointed in the
results of elections for members. AS a
party. we are not of one mind in think
ing il well to order a constitutional
convention at this time. and II we are
not agreed on this question, what is
more probable than that we should not
always he agreed as 10 the men we
should elect as members?
Let us think over this matter carefully.
Wouldn't we do better to postpone having
q constitutional convention little while
longer? -.