Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-22
Observation-Disclosures o., 1898
FEWER ELECTIONS.

The first decided step in the direction
OF constitutional amendments has been
made by the Committee on Retrenchment
and Reform reporting favorably MIR. Kee-
xelrs resolution designed TO consolidate
our spring elections with the fail cleo
tons But before this change can be ac-
tually made, Mr. Keezelrs resolutions
will have TO be agreed to by the present
Legislature and approved by the next
Legislature. and then ratified by vote
OF the people When all this has been
done the Legislature that is to be elect
ed in 1901 Will be authorized TO put the
machinery in motion. and we suppose
the first practical application of the con-
stitutional amendment VIII be in the year
1903 So we figure il out. And this leads
US to ask If it be not possible TO amend
this amendment so as to make it self
executing-that is, so that it will go
into effect without waiting for the Legis-
lature to act upon it. If that could be
done. a good deal Of time would be saved.
The Keezell amendment is in the in
terest of economy. In the first place. it
would save the people much time that
they now consume in giving attention
10 spring elections, and in the next place
It would save expense. This saving.
however would not be to the State, but
to the counties; but it would be none
the less welcome to the taxpayers on
that account. We suppose it would NOT
apply to elections in cities where the
oh, a., ,fo
city officers shall take place at a time
other than that OF the fall elections.
say what you will, the people Of Vir-
ginia are fond of the excitement of cleo
lions and political campaigns, and if they
adopt this amendment (as we presume
they Wild it win be because they are
dead in earnest about retrenching public
expenses, and are willing to exercise
some self-deniaI on that account. And
the fact that the costs OF our elections
are paid by our county and city govern
ments will have an influence in deter
mining the result that would be absent
were those expenses now paid out Of the
State Treasury.
The tendency of the times certainly |
in the South. is to consolidate elections. |
Many States have preceded us in changing |
their constitutions. as is proposed IN |
Mr.. Keezelrs resolution, and we see no |
reason why Virginia should not adopt |
that course.
The argument made against it hither-
TO has been that party lines are usually |
drawn tightly in legislative elections, |
while considerable latitude is allowed |
voters in county elections But our party |
Is now able to control nearly every coun-
~ and city in the State and we see no |
reason TO doubt that the present condi- |
ton Of affairs will continue
Certainly we in Virginia ought to be |
able to manage the negro vote as well
as the people of other Southern States
do, especially when we remember that
the proportion Of blacks TO whites is
smaller with US than in most other South
ern States.
The provision of our State Constitution
that no amendment shall be engrafted
upon 1t unless it be first approved by two
legislatures and then ratified by the peo-
pie. ensures due elaboration. though on
this particular subject We think the pub
lie mind was made up long ago.