The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-08-05
FRIDAY. AUGUST ., 1899.


n -
Several years ago when the quesuo" Va
calling a convention TO revise the consul
..,,,o, % Virginia was being agitated'
IT. Times opposed the movement not
+scspse y was opposed to constitutional
..,.,.t,, hut because 80 recognized the
e,,ger in the existing state Of Virginia
r,oli,ics 10 cali together a large ana un-
r,,lv convention to- write anew the OF
-. law Of this state. In this we did
-. fosr the people Of Virginia, but we
s,s m, know what sort % delegates would
;. chosen. and we knew that conventions
,vero not always truly representative
bodies. ..,o
The Times. therefore. suggested that 'ie
,ro,or way to change the Constitution was
-. nav provided by the Constitution IL
self and we. Therefore urged Ih"'
sirah,e amendments originate IN the LIB
,.,,,,ro and then be submitted TO vote
80 ,ha neople. We also suggested ana II
4. ,r M shirt Of egotism that we say
,,o, the suggestion came originally from
his paper. that a constitutional coi'''i'S-
sion be created. that It sit in Richmond
during .ho session Of the Legislature, ana
mat Il sit with open doors with view
- hearing arguments from representative
.ro, from various parts Of the Common
wealth and from members of the Legs
lature as well. as to the changes TO be
made.
we are gratihed that this plan was
brought 10 the attention OF the state Bar
Association at It's late meeting by Hon.
John Goode. a lawyer and a statesman
and we hope that the members Of the
bar throughout Virginia will act upon
the suggestion offered by Mr.. Goo1e.
We are very Jealous Of any change in
the fundamental law Of the land, but we
believe in progress and We do not believe
,n holding on to an old thing which is
had simply because # SIS old. We are
convinced that the system OF government
provided In the Underwood Constitution
Is not adapted Co present conditions. ana
we are persuaded that many changes
might De made which would not only be
beneficial 70 the people at large. but
which would greatly reduce the expenses
Of state government.
We are stnl opposed 10 the calling OF a
constitutional convention. for no man
knows what n convention may do. It's
authority is absolute and 80 is responsible
~ no higher power for IT'S acts. IL may
promuirate any sort OF a Constitution
that as members may decide upon. and
that becomes the organic law Of the State
without further ado.
True the convention may submit ITS
work 10 a vote Of the people for ratihca-
lion. bu, I, IS not compelled TO do so, and
when the convention is once called the peo-
pie yield their authority and give 20 the
convention the power 10 do whatsoever II
will II S. I'm our opinion, by FAR the
bsst plan 10 have the constitutional COM
mission created. 90 let amendments TO
the Constitution originate in Che Legisla-
iure. and then give the people the op-
poriunity to vote on each and every
amendment. letting each stand on its own
merits irrespective OF tit Whoie. IN inns
way 1t IS entirely competent 20 revamp
the Constitution and to secure us a prac-
rouy new instrument.
We suggest that tn the legislative cam
paign that has now fairly opened this
question Doe made the leading issue. and
that the people take occasion 10 instruct
fhef~ dofccatas I'm accordance with the
pan which We have outlined We sug-
cost also that IN the speeches that shall
- made throughout the State during the
campaign this question be discussed In all
IS bearings The people should be made
70 understand what changes are neces-
fary and desirable. that they may be in a
position to instruct their delegates as TO
how they shall vote.