Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-02-06
TWELVE PAGES
TUESDAY. FEBRUARY 6. 1900.
BEWARE OF THE TRAP |

Until the people vote to call con-
stitutional convention to amend the
State constitution, 1t is the right and
duty of the Virginan- Pilot to oppose
that call, because 1t Is unnecessary,
costly and dangerous, when there is
another way that will better serve the
purpose, more safely and less costly
amendment by joint legislative and
popular action, with which the people
are familiar and which affords n scru
tiny that is one OF the chief safeguards
of the State and the voters against
mistakes. Jobs and hasty and il-consid-
cred measures which they may not have
any option on at all, the irrevocable
step being taken Of convoking an
absolute and unlimited body to create
and destroy.
No evil of great moment may come
of 1t; but 1t is a great risk for which
there is certainly no urgent necessity
We may desire and need new con-
stitution; but it by no means follows
that we must have the convention,
especially when. as we have repeatedly
demonstrated there is no part of our
constitution that needs amendment that
we may not easily renew, revoke, alter
and add to in perfect security. The
Virgnian-P Pilot. therefore. warns and
urges Virginlans to be careful OF what
they do. and not to take this step
If they do. however, it is within their
legitimate power. 1t is their will and
choice, and opposition must cease; but
seeing dangers ahead, we are con-
strained to object until the matter
passes beyond argument and protest
1t Is not a mere Legislative measure
that Is proposed, but the making of a
fundamental guide for legslation; and
there is nothing it may not radically
change, except what may be protected
by tedeval laws. treaties and the
United States constitution. Once CON
stituted 1t Is supreme within the State.
sovereign over the government all its
departments and the people themselves.
The voters vacate. in large degree, their
rights and powers. Everything is laid
at the feet of the convention, with no
reservation and 10 power of veto or
restriction anywhere. No program will
avail; no chart can guide or control;
1t Is It's own unshaclkled will, to do or
not to do. If the people have any say
In the work done, 1t is by the free grace
OF the convention and precisely in the
degree that the people should have the
power to revise what is done, to agree
or disagree. 1t Is sure that that power
VIII be denied them,--and probably
with the loss of present powers and
methods of amendment substituted by
others that may practically fasten the
new and injurious scheme upon us.
against our will and consent, forever.
This Is no nightmare only. The CON
vention. unlike the Legislature, which is
restrained by the existing constitution
and the people, may do and dare what
no mere legislative body would venture
upon. 1t Is single absolute, funda-
mental and supreme power: and what
may 1T not do? We may have some
vague notion that it may do this, or
that, somehow, but how and what it
may do that we do not desire, nor ut
all anticipate. Is wholly beyond u.s.
We know that some things have been
mooted that we strcnnously oppose ana
that we greatly fear. Will these and
other things be put upon us? Why not?
Who will be members of this conven-