Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1899-12-07
THE STATE CONSTITUTION.

xtuleHtioll 10 d SUBJECT WHICH, IN NY
Judgment. is the most important one
that can engage your attention a. this
session, and which deserves some action
at your hands.
Fice'lEla1ls can surely lay claim TO
being mixers of constitutions. and in
these Weighty matters, able to give the
world 4 product of enduring strength
and simplicity. The present Constitu-
ton. 1oiSted upon a conquered people
at the conclusion of our civil war by an
alien government. is expensive and cum
'berson. Tt should be amended and re-
written. I Will not take UP your time
by going into a detailed exposition Of
The "resent Constitution, or in extended
arguments in behalf of tn echanges de-
sired. We Should meet the question
courage5usly, like Eirginians should.
and meet it for all time. There are
several plans open for your considera-
tlon-one is to submit a call for a. consii-
tutronal convention to the people; an
other to amend the present Constitution
through separate aTlyi successive legiS-
lative enactments. Or you might select
4 Joint conInm ttee from the members OF
the HOUSE and Senate, as ] had the
honor to recommend to the last legfsla-
rtire. or appoint such a committee from
cftlzens at large, whose duty it shall
be to study and formulate the changes
in the present Ccnsltut that would
rebound most to the greatest good to
the greatest number, somewhat after
the plan by which the Code of Virginia
was revised. This committee could Sit
Through the coming spring and SUM
7ner, and before another legislature is
elected ana ASSEMBLIES and pass the
recommendations of this comE,ittee
Then as Che same Recommendation are
passed, by another legislature and by
them submitted to the people for their
ratification. we would have a Constitu-
tlon amended with all are and facility
BY adopting such g course as this
we could get nd Of the many yexatious
delays and escape the heavy expense
incident to a constitutional convention
ami 1.-THE dangers incident to the indif-
ference Of the individual voters when
srH@h a question is submitted to the-l
II would be q great and worthy achieve
lnent. While we have lived very we'll
and prcspered greatly under the preser.
constitution, such a class of citizens CT
this State can boast of are able to sue
ceeT under any constitution. however
grave its defects. we would deserve
we'll, not only of our present generation.
but succeeding generations. if we mt
TINS question in a spirit CT fairness,
or economy. and intelligent ADJUST
ment of THE various parts of civil gov
eminent. and evolve a written instru-
ment that will save hundreds of thous-
ards of dollars to the taxpayers Of
the State. and give us a simple, direct,
and successful plan Of government.
L-tA1ENTED DEAD.
During the year drawing to a close
THE State mas been called upon to mourn
the loss of an unusual number Of her
distinguished sons. Most prominent
anon these being Ex-Governor p. w.
Mckinney. who died at his home in
Faamvillc Va. on the first day OF
March, 1899, and ex-governor F. w. NJ.
f7oladay. who died at Winchester, Va
on the twenty ninth day 0 fMay. 1899.
They both had each served the State
With conspicuous fidelity and ability
both IN WAR and In peace. They had
been tie recipients Of the highest hon
ors within the gift of their people. and
as governors OF the State. have made
iHdelliEle impression upon the pages OF