Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-03-13
TWELVE PAGES
TUESDAY. MARCH 10. 1900.
THE PEOPLE MUST HAVE THE
LAST SAY.

It Is quite possible that the constitu-
ton OF Virginia can be improved upon.
The men who framed 1t did not set UP
the claim that 1t was perfect. On the
contrary, they provided a method by
which it may be changed or amended
whenever. in the judgment of the peo-
pie of Virginia. experience shall have
shown 1t to be in any particular insult
ed to the needs of the Commonwealth
of which 1t is the supreme law.
There are two methods by which
amendment may be made If needed
provided by the constitution itself-by
the adoption OF the proposed amend
ment by the General Assembly and its
subsequent submission to vote of the
( qualified electors of the State, or by
constitutional convention called and
elected for the purpose. By the first
method, every citizen of the State may
know precisely what change is proposed
in the fundamental law, apd may eX-
press his approval or disapproval OF It,
The people have the last say. BY the
other method the action of the conVen
vention is final, and the people know
not what that action will be. There is
no appeal to the people, no opportunity
for them to say whether they approve
Or disapprove of the changes made.
The welfare of the State and the rights
and liberties of every citizen thereof lie
in the palm OF this convention. 1t may
do we'll; 1t may do i'll. In either case
there Is no recourse.
The Virginian-P makes no objec-
tion to amending the constitution. 1t
believes that the only safe way, the on
ly Democratic way. Is that by which
the people know precisely what change.
revision or amendment is proposed, and
by which 1t Is given them to say
whether they will or will not have it so.
II the history OF representative gov
--expment in this country has taught
anything atsall 1T is that all possible
power should be retained in the people;
that whenever such n course is possible
the individual citizen should be permit
ted to express his individual approval
or disapproval OF what directly effects
him; and certainly that the representa-
tive, does not always use wisely or well
the power delegated to him. 1t Is even
on record that conventions and Legisla-
lures and Congresses have been manip-
ulated, and manipulated to the peoples
hurt. They often make mistakes. The
Senate Of the last General Assembly
passed a bill without its being read y
convention Is not very different from
the General Assembly
Why. therefore. in view of these
things, should there be hot-foot cam
paign to commit the fortunes Of the
Democratic party In this State TO an
amendment of the constitution by apar-
tfcular method? Why seek TO commit
the party to method that is undemo-
fenets and It's record. when there
IL another and better way?
What amendment, what change
Is wanted? How has the need
for amendment suddenly become so bit
ter that 1t must not only be made
speedily. but made in n certain method?
We submit that Convention or no
convention Is not a legitimate party
question. The Democratic party stands
for principles. definite. clcar-cut. easily
understood of all men, If 1t stands for
4 anything at all. IL cannot he, and IL
will not be, made sponsor for anybody's
Z t1azy and indefinite scheme of constitu-
tional patchwork by proxy. If there
f5were any certain and definite change
proposed. and II it should commend IT.
gEelf to the majority of the party as
Wise, prudent and necessary, then the
& party might very well be committed to
7sfor that would be n vastly different
& matter.
This plan TO call q convention with