Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-26
CONVENTION.

The Richmond correspondent Of the BAT
t,more Sun. In his dispatches published
Yesterday. discusses the constitutional
convention question, and among otner
things says
when the Legislature reassembles on
J January 81 IT will have before II plenty
| Of important work 70 occupy the renaln,
/ der 81 tho session. The measure that VIII
attract the most attention VIII be sena-
tor Floods bill providing for submitting
70 the people the question Of assembling
! a constitutional convention. II j. ek-
pected when the Legislature comes pacN
| that the influential Democratic memuers
will have learned the wishes not only OF
| their constituents. but of those VINO are
supposed 20 dominate legislation. IL Is ad-
mitted that Senator'S Daniel ana Martin
both have committed themselves 10 this
proposition. 1t is not unlikely that be-
fore the rcassembling Of the Assembly
the views OF these gentlemen Will have
been made known. Senator Daniel has
for some time favored the adoption Of
important amendments 10 the state Con-
stitution. but has taken no active part
on this subject. The question Is expected
10 come up before the legislative caucus,
and MIR Flood, the patron OF the bill,
IL confident. with the backing behind II,
II
body. There are however. some who are
disposed 10 oppose 1t. All Of the indica-
tions point. though. to its acceptance by
the members Of the legislature as
party measure.
The prevailing sentiment in Virginia
long has been I'm favor Of a convention
TO revise and amend the State
Constitution. None the less, there
has always been wide divergence
Of opinion with respect 10 the
time to make the supreme effort which
IS necessary 10 enectuate such a scheme.
About three years ago the Legislature or
dered a popular vote on calling conven-
ton. but by reason OF the non-action Of
the Democratic State Convention. held at
staunton, the proposition was defeated at
the polls A like fate may befall any
other convention scheme, not adopted by
q Democratic State convention.
It is not TO be denied that there are in
terests in Virginia hostile TO the holding
Of a convention. but some OF these would
yield their opposition in obedience to a
proper decree making the question party
question. They might challenge the right
Of legislative caucus 10 bind them. but
they could raise no such question against
q state Democratic convention. The desi-
rability, not to say necessity, Of party ac-
ton, therefore, is apparent. a decisive
vote in the legislative caucus, followed by
favorable action on the part OF the next
state convention OF our party would result
I'm the peoples calling a constitutional
but we doubt If we could
count upon success otherwise.
Tt is to be hoped that the members Of
the Legislature will return TO Richmond
after the holidays fully prepared TO dis
c4ss and vote upon this proposition
The prime question IS now, as II long
has been. whether our people are nearly
enough agreed TO make it a party issue,
and will support it with an the party's
prestige and power? Under no other cir
can we rely upon counterfeit /
ing the influences which have been active /
hitherto I'm opposing convention TO re- |
model our state Constitution.