Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-06-02
TWELVE PAGES.
SATURDAY. JUNE .. 1900.
INCONSISTENT ECONOMISTS.

In the matter of the Constitutional
Convention, the "Rubicon having been
crossed" Virginia looks onward to the
battle to be fought The great "buga-
boo" in the past has been the mooted
hostility of certain persons to the Con-
venton. as If their opposition would
amount to the tickle OF n Enat against
the mighty stroke of an awakened and
determined people. The Vlrginian- Pilot
never gave their opposition a moments
serious consideration, but instead, de-
voted ITS time and energy to guarantee
ing that the work of the Convention
should be submitted to the vote of the
people.
1t remains now to prepare for the
battle The first thing in order for the
people, is to select delegates. In order
10 do this, the Legislature must pre-
pare the way. The time and place for
the Convention, the number of dele
gates and the manner OF their proce-
dure, must all be considered. The vari-
Gus chances contemplated should be
discussed and the pulse of the people
this Is an inter-party and n family
fight. Let lis go at 1t systematically
with the FULL broad light of day thrown
upon it, and not cclipsed by any party
or sinister motives. What the Demo-
cratic party wants is what the people
want for. that party has ever stood up
dor individual rights. But don't let us
honesty of leaders and the assurance
that the people will endorse anything.
Let 1t be seen that representative men
are sent and that n bisls Is laid down of
tho changes to be made
But what of the time? Men like Dan
del and Montague stand upon record,
md the party committed itself at the
Norfolk Convention, TO postponement OF
action until after the presidential cleo
tion. That is settled. If special session
of the Legislature is called it means
near sixty thousand dollars expense to
the State. Why this extra expense? The
new Constitution Is guaranteed; let ii
be obtained In as economical and dig
nifed q manner as possible. The Nor
folk Convention committed itself to this
position. What else did it mean by
wishing the changes to he made in as
economical a manner as possible? The
State finances are in no condition TO be
trifled with. Business is in n settled con-
dtion. The country must soon 20
through the throes of a presidential
election. after which 1t should be allow
ed to settle down a little while, TO the
music or the hammer and saw ana the
hum of industrial development. instead
of the prattle and inccssant discord or
another campaign close upon the heels
of the other.
The State needs n new Constitution
and the different Legislatures should
have given it to her by piece-meal years
ago. If there was such dreadful ncces-
sity Of urgent haste think of the inramv
that these Legislative bodies have heap
ed upon themselves by their neglect
This is no time for reckless rushing nor
for Legislative upturn!ng of existing
conditions. Enough is done bi-annual-
~, and enough State money spent.
We come therefore to believe that
Governor Tyler will go slowly in this
important matter OF CHANGING the or
ganic law. the very corner stone ana
foundation of the law OF the State;fhat
lie will not needlessly incur enormous
expenses without proper reasons
The Virginian- Pilot took off its coat"
and went amongst the people and the
party leaders. 1t put upon record those