Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1897-04-23
GEN. jas. G. FIELD
Makes a Strong Argument in
Favor of a Constitutional
Convention.


patch an interview of its oorrespon-
dent Hon. w. A. Jones, member of
Congress from Virginia, on the pro
posed constitutional convention.
With your kind permission, Us the
subject is of great Importance, | will
view Mr. jones' objection to the con
vention.
l do not regard his objections not
withstandng his acknowledged abili-
ty and long experience in public ser.
vice, as either profound or statesman
like. He says 1.-THE Demo attic party
and the press are divided as to ths
desirability Of holding the conven
tion,etc., ETC." This is very narrow
and smacks too much Of craftsmanship.
We want u constitution for tile State;
not for tho Democratic party, nor in
deed especially for the press. The
wants and requirements of the mas,
es of the pee pie should be the con
trolling cause. Everybody admits
the imperfections of the present con.
stitutlon, MIR. Jones among them.
Now il this necessity is recognized
by the State, why is it not desirable
to have convention? Mr.. Jones
says "there is great division OF seuti
ment.' 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 a mis-
take when they aeitate the subject"
We are told that the Republicans
are opposed to the convention. Is it
the Jones policy to keep the Demo
cratic party in line with the Repub
lican party on this subject What
is the bond of sympathy aud union'
Is it that the Republicans have uni
versal suffrage, and the Democrats
universal offices, Mr.. Jones further
objects "tiat there is great diversity
of opinion as to the objects to be Mt
tnined'. In reply, will say that
there Is no diversity Of opinion ia 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 now exists is cause
for not calling convention, then the
time will never come when we should
be assembled. Men will always diff.
fer as to details. A convention is
the only method by which this diver.
slty OF detail can be properly har
monized.
MIR, Jones further objects, because
needed amendments can be more
expeditiously and far moro economi
cally accomplished through the legis
lature." If so why has it not been
done? The Underwood constitution
has been upon the State for nearly
thirty years, and no substantial
amendment has been made OF ever
attempted by the legislature. The
convention that adopted this consti-
tntion seems to have regarded it ms
provisional, for it provided for call
ing a convention in 1858 and every
twenty years thereafter, aud gave
the legislature power at any time
ad interim to submit the question to
a vote Of the people. Nothing has
been accomplished through the legls-
lature and nothing will be. These
answers to Mr. Jones objections are
satisfactory to my own ;nind, and ]
submit them to your own. and your
renders consideration. Let the gen
eral good be our aim.
l. The present constitution, in it's
formation, was alien to Virginia. 1t
was formulated by body of men,
who did not represent the social, in
tellectual 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 intlu-
ence Of that convention. The tradi
tions of Virginia were not all pre-
cious to him. They are to me.
2. This constitution is not promo
tive OF the general veal of the peo.
pie. We want clear, compact, in.
expensive form of State government.
The government form is too elabor.
ate aud diffused. There is not a sin.
gle department of the government