Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-04-04
But Want it Submitted to the
People for Their Approval.
so SPEAK SEVERAL CITIZENS
Tho Question Ono of Importance and the
People of Portsmouth arc Freely Ex
pressing Their viows Upon 1.-THE Ma
.jority Favor Having tho People Set the
Seal of Their Approval Upon the Work
of the Convention.

The question of a convention and the
adoption of Il new Constitution is a
question of vital Importance, and the
thinking people of this city are consid-
ering the matter very thoroughly.
The following gentlemen were ap-
preached yesterday and their views on
the subject solicited, and they were
given by them cheerfully as follows:
JAMES II. TOOMER.
Mr.. James II. Toomer. cashier of the
Merchants and Farmers Bank, said:
am In favor of calling a Consti-
tutionnl Convention. The present Con-
stitution was gotten up at time when
the best men of Virginia were disfran-
chised and was forced upon the people
of Virginia. 1t is the old Democratic
doctrine that all constitutions should
be referred back to the people. and this
rs the only course to ensure the safety
of free institution among the people"
COL. WIN. II. STEWART.
Editor Nirginian-Pilot:
In response to your inquiry, I beg IN
say that am in favor of n Constitu-
tional Convention and of submitting its
work to vote of the people for rat
ifcation.
Yours very truly.
WILLIAM II. STEWART.
JOHN ]. KING.
The president of the City Council.
Mr.. John j. King, is heartily in favor
of a Constitutional Convention.
Said that gentleman yesterday: "I
am thoroughly convinced that Virginia
should have new Constitution. We
have borne the burdens imposed unon
us by the Underwood Baync- Hodges
Constitution long enough, and see no
reason why n new one, appropriate TO
the conditions which surrounded MS.
should not be adopted by n conven-
ton and then submitted TO the people
for their approval"
ROBERT Z. GLOVER.
Mr.. Glover a member of the City
Council from the Fourth Ward. was
asked by Virginan- Pilot man yester-
day what he thought of a Constitu-
tional Convention.
II favor Constitutional Conven-
one for many years. with the adoption
of the new Constitution by the repre-
tion." said he. Virginia has needed
sentative body, which no doubt will
compose the convention. think, then
as a safeguard to prevent mistakes
that the instrument should be submit
ted to the people to be ratified or re-
jccted, as they deem best and proper"
MIR. c. w. WALKER
Says: II am thoroughly in favor of q
new Constitutions; but I am constrained
to believe that the instrument. after
leaving the hands of the convention
which frames It, should be submitted
TO the people for ratification"
JOHN c. ASHTON
superintendent of Portsmouths Pub
lie Schools, Mr.. John C. Ashton, ex.
pressed himself as follows when hi.
opinion was asked:
''You want to know what thinl
about the adoption of n new Constitu
ton for Virginia. Well, OF myself.
know but little of such a matter. bu
have read the views of others. VIII,
ought TO know better than I. and
have fallen into line with these whc
advocate the adoption of Constitu
ton that will best promote the politl
cal. Industrial, commercial and socia
conditions of the people of Virginia
Should it be submitted to vote of III,
people? Yes. by all means. submit
everything that concerns the people t,
the people,"