The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-05-22
Col. LAMBS
STATEMENT.
What He Has to Say to the Repub-
|icans Of Virginia.
HE TELLS THE VOTERS THAT THE
PLAN PROPOSED FOR A coNsr1-
TuTIoNAL CONVENTION WOULD
CRIPPLE THE REPUBLICANS
PARTY IN THIS STATE, AND
FOR THIS AND MANY OTHER
REASONS HE IS OPPOSED TO
THE SCHEME.

Norfolk, May 21.-Col. William Lamb.
chairman of the Republican State com-
mltCee In Virginia, has issued letter to
the Republicans o. the State, rs follows:
Having received inquiries rs to the
duty OF the members of the Republican
party in regard to the proposed constitu-
tlonal convention, which is to be decided
by an election, Thursday, May 81, next,
i would respectfully call your attention
to the following extract from our party
platform adopted Mt our last State con.
ventlon, held in Staunton April 90 and
"a, 1897:
The Republican party of Virginia, in
convention assembled, denounces the
proposition coming from the Democratic
party OF the State, through the last legis-
lature, to call a convention to revise the
constitution as being the first movement
OF the enemies of our public free schools.
It's manifest purpose is to stem the
swelling tide of Republican progress in
our State by an effort to disfranchise our
illiterate voters, both white ahd coiored,
to set up II fraudulent and pretended ed
ucato nal qualification, ami to so amend
the present free school provision as to
place 1t in the power OF future legisla.
lures to practically destroy the beneficent
system of education engrufted in the
present constitution of the State of the
Republican party
The call for such a convention means
That Its mem bers are to be elected under
our present obnoxious anu detestable
laws, and that to them is to be given the
power also to amend or destroy the home.
stead clause of the constitution, the
clause to exempt our religious non-com.
patants from the compulsory military
service, and other and acceptable provis-
IONS OF that instrument, and, Judging
from the recent legislation, to put also
beyond the power Of the legislative repeal
law for higher rate of interest upon
money!
Besides these cogenJ reasons. as stated
IN our party platform, why not only you,
nut every citizen of the commonwealth of
Virginia, should vote against the propo-
sition for constitutional convention,
there are others to which would briefly
allude.
Nothing can be done by constitutional
convention which cannot be done under
our present State constitution, by the nc
ton OF two succeeding legislatures, and Il
submission to the people of the amend
ments adopted by the legislature for their
ratification or rejection. IL may lie n
slower process than by convention, but
it is safer tor the liberties of the people
and their general welfare. While passing
through the requirements of our State
constitution the proposed change is given
publicity, is thoroughly discussed by the
press, anu our people can vote intelli-
gently upon it.
constitutional convention is supreme,
save only the limitations of the constitu-
ton of the United States, and it may do
ANYTHING it pleases about State affairs,
without giving the people time to be in.
formed; it may hold secret sessions, and
it may fasten upon us constitution,
without submitting it to vote of the
people. Are you prepared to give such
power to any set of men elected under our
present infamous election laws?
Then there is the grave question of ln.
necessary expense. Are we prepared for
additional taxation in our impoverished
condition, for without it, the 100000,
which from first to last the convention
would.cost, could not be raised? We cannot
now make proper provision for our disa-
bled and aged soldiers and sailors, nor
for our public institutions, not to sneak
OF our militia, SO necessary for our safety
and defense in peace rs we'll rs war
our criminal expenses can be reduced
ana all other nee essary economic meas.
ures be adopted by amendments sub.
mltted through the Legislature, and much
~ VITO "'iSSOiOh GILL Dc accomplished Dy
immediate Legislation. Indeed, under
present laws a more rigid examination of
accounts by the proper officers, and the
enforcement of stricter accountability,
would greatly reduce our criminal eX-
penses.
constitutional convention is great
menace to our oyster interest in Tide.
water Virginia Thousands of our poorer
classes are dependent for their welfare
upon the bountiful provision our Great
Creator has made for them in the abund-
ance of our waters, The great danger is
that through ignorance and design they
may be robbed of these God given priv.
ileges, and their rightful heritage handed
over to soulless corporations. If one leg
islature were to make II mistake on this
subject, the next could remedy it, but an
act of constitutional convention, if rad
ically wrong, would leave no hope of re
dress to The poor oysterman. Indeed the
mere omission of the safeguards in the
present constitution would leave this in
terest the prey to corrupt combinations.
For Republicans to vote, in the present
condition of affairs, for constitutional
convention, is to commit political suicide.
| therefore beg you to vote down this
Inhetensable proposition, and l call upon
All Republican city and county charmen
I" instruct their constituents how to vote
ihteln9entiy upon this subject.
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