The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-07-16
PEOPLE AND POLITICS.
BY AN OBSERVER.

There IS one thing more important
than the election Of United
Senator that should be conslaeiou -
voting for members OF the Lesisiai'ui,
this fall That thing Is the constitutions
changes for the lack OF which the St'ie
OF Virginia is suffering There never WIS
a time when the Democratic party was
in better shape TO meet this issue
There IS no doubt but that with the pres
ent election machinery all In the hands
Of the Democrats that they can return
Democratic delegates 10 this consu-
tutiOnal convention: and when the
Democrats get together they can ar
range "a constitution which shall save 10
the taxpayers OF this State am eXpondi-
ture of az least n half million dollars an
nually. Nirginians as a people are fun
damentaliy conservative. They get IN
rut and they stay In rut. The man
who suggests changes they look upon as
an unsafe man. 4 man who is positive
I'm his hopes, predictions and estimates,
they look upon as a visionary man.
Hence. any man who advocates a rip
ping-up change In the present constitu-
ton OF the State has an these fundamen-
tai dispositions of the Virginia people
10 contend with and pull against. Vet,
why should the Virginia people live un-
der the old reconstruction constitutions
They have gotten along fairly well UNI
der 1t, but they have gotten along I'm
spite OF It. and not because Of IT, The
present consttu@>n is a miserable patch
work designed and conceived for the very
purpose OF fastening a horde Of salary
drawing officials upon the State; and 10
complicate the machinery OF govern
ment so that an 0fice-h0lding trust
might grow up in Virginia and hold pow
or ad libitum Then again. that c0nsi
tuition was so wOrded as 90 bring the
white people face 10 face with the con-
slant menace of negro domination II
was expected that under that constitu-
ton the negroes with their Republican
allies would rule Virginia. The Virgin-
lans have gone along carrying this load
for more than thirty years. Tsn't ft at
last time we We're shaking IN of? A
more opportune time 10 agitate this
question and TO meet # squ8rely than
now I'm the election OF mom.crs OF the
state Senate and Legislature this fau
VIII never be. 10 Is much more important
10 know how I'd man stands uu0n this
question than Co know how Doe stands
upon the senatorial question.
what are some 0f the practical ana
beneficial things that constitutional
convention could attend 20? I'm the first
place. the question of the suffrage
should Dee treated fairly ana souarely
10 is time the white people of Virginia
were meeting Ike men the question of
negro suffrage in their State we have
very cieverly wOrded election law
which is capable of untold manpIauons
and perversi0ns But does a brave man
ami an honest man desire to- always hide
behind manipuiauons and pervarsilns
I.f
stroke Doe can write Or down DOB the con-
stiution OF his State. who shalt vote and
VINO shil not ana live ever afterwards
in am undisturbed, normal and honest
manner NOw is The timo 20 avoid the
many disturbances. hearthumIue- and
even hloOdshed of the future. s0r the day
may come when "a bitter contest among
the white men of This State viii pre-
cipliate upon us "a powerful alliance with
negro voters. and bring about just such
% state of affairs as North Carolina has
groaned and sweated under The times
are ripe for this SUFFRAGE change. Vir-
g'ria, Will never Zoe better able to meet
d. Inc time server. the plausible putter-
of of disasreeahle tasks. should Doe
sernly remanded to the relr and iptelli-
gent col, honorable men should take
this subject of constitutional change in
hand and PUT it through once and for ali
time. now and for the years to come
The question of the sunrasc is the main
question t0 meet in constitutional cone
yenti0n. and when that is once fairly met
the cheIter ana bauot-b0X suffer the
manipulation of returns and intimidation
at the polls VIII poo longer bee political
heroes iu Virginia their occupation win
De gone. and men wil grow back into
the ola ways Of letting debates and
opinions WIN Tor men leadership mot