Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-27
CAUCUS FAvoRs A CONVENTION.
The House Should Vote TO Let the
PeOpIe Decide.


People Decide.
The Democratic caucus held last night
10 discuss the question of calling a con-
stitutional convention. after considerable
argument, adopted a resolution, to the
effect that it was the sense Of the body
that the question should be submitted to
the people at a special election to be
held on the 18th Of August, 1898.
According TO the resolution under which
the body was proceeding, this action does
not bind the members to support such a
resolution on the floor Of either branch Of
the General Assembly.
In the absence of Mr.. Cooke, the chair
man. Mr.. Saunders called the caucus TO
order. Mr. Stubs was then requested TO
take the chair, and Mr. Saunders said
that It was time that the body took some
action If they intended 10. and If they
didn't then there was no use Of bothering
longer. 1t was evident from the small
attendance. that the members were
taking little interest in the matter.
HOW 1T NIGHT BE.
If there was any man who could show
that By any retrenchment they could meet
the necessities of the next few years.
then the question was solved without
bothering with any constitutional con-
Vention. But as yet no man had shown
that There was no doubt about the
growth of the sentiment in favor Of a
convention. The question 10 be decided
was. whether it should be submitted to
the people in the fall or spring. He
thought the coming fan was the best
time.
Mr. BlantOn offered a resolution TO the
effect that the question of calling a con-
stitutionai convention be submitted to
the people at the spring election Of 1892
WANTED IT A PARTY ISSUE.
Judge Watkins said that he was much
disappointed 70 hear that because some
one wanted to go to Congress that we are
20 be met with the statement that II
Will not do 10 submit this call for con-
vention at a time when these gentlemen
were before the people for election. He
thought the interests of the State were
greater than those OF these gentlemen.
He thought the question should be made
a party issue.
Mr.. Pitcher said that when the people
wanted a convention they would ask for
IT, They hadn't done so yet.
Judge watkins said that he preferred
10 submit the question in the fall. The
people had been frightened off from call
ing a constitutional convention by being
told that the Republicans might control
such a body. For his part, he would pre-
fer 10 have convention controlled by
that party than 10 have none at all.
Mr. Parker said IL the question was
submitted in the spring there would be
but a repetition Of last May. He thought
II should be submitted at an election
held simply to decide that one question,
when the latter would be the sole issue.
lie believed that constitutional con-
yntion should be held.
Mr. Anderson thought Mr. Parker's
plan was the best one yet suggested.
Captain Featherston said the only
thing to be considered seemed to be
when the question should be submitted.
AT a special election the people would
not turn out. and he favored submitting
the question at a general election.
Mr.. Murphy thought a special election
should be held for the purpose.
THE PEOPLE IUKEWARM.
Captain Minter said that until the peo-
Die saw the necessity for a convention,
one would not be called. The people
were lukewarm now. and the next time
the question was submitted 1t must be
won. Therefore, he urged the body not
20 precipitate the matter but to wait
until the people began to ''mutter and
growl."
mass q resolution before odJonfnlng, re-
onesting that the question Of calling a
convention be submitted to the people.
Mr.. Winborne thought there would be
no need to inquire as to the "mutter-
ings and growlings" after the Leeisla-
tnre adjourned. The air would resound
with them. when the people realized what
ltte had been done by the General AS
femaly 10 relieve the condition OF tho
state
RESOLUTIONS FOR CONVENTION.
MI james Mann, OF Nottoway, offered
resolution providing that Il is the
sonse az this caucus that the General
Assembly pass resolution submitting
% the people az the general election Of
November next whether or not there
shall be "a constitutional convention. ana
resolved. further. that we request the
executive Committee ef tbs Demosrauc