Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-03-31


prominent Norfolk Democrats on the
questions of holding a Constitutional
Convention. and the submission of the
revised Constitution to the people is
presented below.
The views expressed have been prac-N
tically along the same lines with the
exception OF those of Mr.. c. Tayloc8
Gwathmey's. which appear in this is
sue.
The interviews secured yesterday are
given below
JUDGE a. r. HANCKEL..
Judge ~. II. Hanckel, OF the Corpora
ton Court said he heartily favored a
constitutional Convention and the rat
iiication of the new Constitution by the
people.
JUDGE T. Fl. WILCOX.
Judge Thomas II. Wilcox said he
most heartily favored Constitutional
Convention. and had for sometime. He
wants the delegates selected from
among the best men In the several
communities SO that good Constitu-
ton will be assured He favors CIV
Ing the people the opportunity to pass
upon the instrument finally.
MIR. w. Il. ALLEN.
Mr.. w. L. Allen, member of the
IL
City Sergeant, said.
Yes; 1 am heartily In favor OF
Constitutional Convention. I have
favored 1t for sometime and the time
has certainly arrived for uA to have
one. favor the submission OF the re-
vised Constitution to the people for
ratification.
MIR. TAZEWELL TAYLOR.
Mr.. Tazewell Taylor gave his Views
on Constitutional Convention MS fol-
lows:
II am unqualacdly in favor OF a.
Constitutional Convention. Our pres
ent organic law with the six amend
ments made from time to time has been
enforced for thirty-one years. This
was the product of IL convention COM
posed. as 4 noted Virgnian put it,
mainly of ignorant and excited me-
Eroes, led by greedy adventures from
the North, popularity known as carpet
baggers.' and n few recreant natives
who were designated scalawags.'" 1t
Is worthy OF comment that this instru-
ment coming from such n source. has
so few Objectionable features. The
changes now demanded are those main
ly arising from changed conditions.
The principal objection urged by
writer's on the subject written con-
stituton is it's non elasticity. which
even judicial construction fails to over
come. This objection Is patent In the
present instance, and IL change would
seem desirable. This change, however,
should be made by II convention having
the ability, inclination and time to Sug-
gest such conservative amendments ga
occasion demands and the light of past
experience would show to be practical
Bile. The making or amendment OF q
constitution is the graVcst task of q
free people, and should be approached
with care and elaboration. The person.
mel of the proposed convention should
be indispensable for ability and pa
triotism. and the result should be SUBJ
mitted to the people at large for theIr
acceptance or rejection. Such n con-
vention I heartily advocate.
MR.. S. S. LAMBETH, JR.
Mr. s. S. Lambeth. Jr.. said he wac
In line with practically every one whd
had expressed an opinion on the mat
ter. He favors the convention, and tho
popular ratification of the new Consti-a
tuition.
MIR. G. TAYLOE GWATHMEY.
Mr. G.. Tayloe Gwathmey is the first
and only one interviewed who fayors
the Constitutional Convention itself
passing finally upon new ConStitu-
ton. He said he was In favor of a.
Constitutional Convention. If the poliSi-S
clans did not have the selecting of the
delegates all 70 themselves. He wants
Il revised Constitution. With a good
cOINtHtiOi. DC OtiiGNcS, ~ nOOu NCnSIl-F
tuition would be framed. The delegates
would make a study OF it, and would /
know more about the needs of the
state in the way OF organic law than
the people at large would know. AZ
good Constitution, through the manip-
ulation of politicians. might be killed
From the brief interview had with
him. Mr.. Gwathmeys idea seemed to-
be that there should be no ConstIti-5
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