The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-06-24
CONSTITUTIONAL REVISION
IS THE QUESTION OF THE HOUR
Something About the Past Bodies Which Have
Dealt With the Organic. Law Of the State
Disposition Among People to Send
Ablest Leaders to Convention.
Ablest Leaders to Convention.

er, who represented the counties Of Fau-
Quier and kappahannock.
The iniquity of this pebald conclave has
been a thorn in the eide OF the best people
OF Virginia ever since the day of its adop-
ton, but never until now have they felt
that the time was ripe to throw off the
yoke and undertake the delicate and ir.k-
some task Of framing a new Constitution.
In the Legislature Of 1866. Senator
Eugene Withers, of Darville, a brilliant
young leader and close student of poll
teal economy, introduced a bill providing
for the holding Of a Constitutional Con
vention. After a haid struggle, it was
at the polls in the election which fol-
lowed.
WITHERS THE LEADER.
This early agitation of the question by
Senator Nithers, however, was the real
groundwork for It's triumph at the election
last May: and 10 him more than TO any
other living man will the people be iEdebt-
ed for revision Of their organic law.
when it snail have been accomplished.
rhis able young man will undoubtedly
be a prominent leader of the convention.
and his name Is not unfreauently heard
in connection with its presidency.
1t seems now settled beyond question
that the plans suggested by Governor
Tyler tor accomplishing the work OF the
convention. or something very similar
thereto, will be adopted. 1t is very certain
that ne will call the Legislature together
in extra session. between the list and 18th
Of next November, TO arrange for the cleo
ton o. the delegates and to make other
provisions necessary for the holding Of the
convention.
From the best information obtainable,
il can be fairly Judged that, there11s not
only a disposition but a determination
- ,1rf ont. 4 a
State to select the very best and ablest
men in their respective sections to re:re-
sent them In the convention, without re-
gard to what is vulgarly known as ''oolit-
ical pull" or the consent Of the operatives
Of the machine
STATESMEN TO THE FRONT.
The professional politician will, from
present indications, have to take a, back
seat and give place for a time, at least. to
the true representatives Of the masses,
whose highest ambition will be to widen
the way of Nirginia's advancement and to
pave the paths OF her people with pros
perity and contentment-
No man can tell, of course. what will
be the result of the conventioris work,
but it seems fairly certain that among the
questions considered will be division of
the public school fund and the Topping
off of much of the unnecessary expense Of
government which has been endured
since the framing of the present Consti-
tuition.
The intelligence and worth of the State,
the masses of her incorruptible citizens,
are the masters of the situation. and
when they become deeply interested in
a matter so important as the one now
before them. they may be always relied
upon to do their whole duty 10 themselves
their posterity and their State.
The coming convention will mark an
important epoch in the history of the Old
Mother Commonwealth, and promises to
point the way of her people to peace.
prosperity and happiness for years yet to
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