The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-18
REVISING THE CONSTITUTIONS.

REVISING THE CONSTITUTION.
A paragraph which appeared I'm a re-
cent issue Of The Times with reference
10 constitutional revision by the means
of amendments originating in the Legis-
lature has been copied by a number Of
our Virginia contemporaries with vari-
Gus comments. Here. for example, is
comment Of the Suffolk Herald:
"The fact of the business is the op-
pOrtunity the people had last May so give
rs q new constitution and a cheaper
form Of government was lost before the
battle commenced. The Times. the Dis
patch and scores of papers. as well as the
leaders of the party throughout the state
are in n great measure responsible FOR
the failure to have a convention and If
the people rise up and rclegate the
Democratic party TO the rear they must
bear the blame. The changes afforded
by the Legislature are too slow q pro
cess. We need the remedy and relief.
and the constitutional changes wrought
by Legislative enactment take from three
60 four years to be fully developed"
The Petersburg lndcx-Appeal commcnds
what the Suffolk Herald says. and turth-
or declares that tho present Legislature
has neither the time nor the capacity TO
deal with this important question. Has
not the time because IL is so much en-
crossed with other matters. and has not
tho capacity because the majority Of its
members are young in years and quite
inexperienced in public affairs.
We are perfectly willing to take our
share of the blame, if blame # be, for
advising against the calling of con-
stitutional convention and we are still
OF opinion that the best way to remodel
the constitution is through the plan
which we have advocated and which we
now advocate.
our Petersburg contemporary says that
the Legislature has no time for this
work. If it had said that the Legislature
had no inclination to do this work, II
would probably have come nearer to the
truth. 1t is we'll known that the one
great question superseding all others
which should command the attention Of
the Legislature is the reduction of tho
expenses Of State government, and II
the best talent i'm that body lad been
concentrated in this direction, temporary
measures of economy could have been
adopted. and amendments to the consu-
tuition. looking to further reforms IN the
future. could have been framed and put
i'm tho linc of adoption
As TO the capacity of the legislature
what posslble guarantee have we that
a convention to revise the constitution
would be composed of better stuff?
"Ah. there's the rub" And there
the point az which opponents of the
convention idea have stumbled. 1t was
certainly a risky business, as things were
going i'm this state a year or two ago.
20 have called a convention TO pass upon
the fundan entail law OF Virginia.
Another thing Gentlemen who were
more re,pcnsible than others for working
nm the convention idea, are still members
or the LEGISLATURE. but If they have
shown any disposition TO revise the con-
stitutioa through the medium of amend
ments originating in the Legislature we
have not heard of 1t.
But st. is not yet too late to act Inc
regular session IS only about haf gone
and mavbe extended. The offices have
all been distributed and we can see no
sufficient reason Why this Legislature may
not set on foot all necessary amendments
TO the constitution. the people VIII mus
have q little more than two years III
which TO consider them and then vote
their sentiments at the polls. 1t Is a
simple process we repeat. and the mooei
vav TO revise the constitution.