Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-04-22
THE PEOPLE MUST RATITY IT.
(Richmond News.)

Should the Democratic party commit
Itself To the movement for a Constitu-
tional Convention, ii would OF course
be held responsible fer every act of that
BODY. Unless the Constitution as
framed by the convention is submitted
to the ieople FOR ratification. objec Hon
able features. radical aud unforeseen
changes, might become the supreme
law OF the land ard for such 4 result
the Democratic party would be held
responsible b. the people. There are
in the estimation of thoughtful and pa
triotic citizens changes-not n few
which can be made in the presen: Con-
stitution, helpful to the Commonwealth,
and consequently prcmotive of the pres
tigc and power of the Democratic party.
There are other changes suggested
which should they be embodied in the
new Constitution, would be destructive
OF the best interests of the people. and
consequent menace to Democratic
supremacy. There are broad lines OF
policy in the formation of a new Con-
solution, which might he followed by
the convention, such as the reduction
OF the expenses of our county and city
governments: the lessenng OF the num-
Der of the officials and yet unless the
Democratic party commits itself to this
theory Of revision there is no assurance
but that the convention Itself might
increase the number OF offices. and as
result of the convention. in addition
20 the great cost ertailcd by its Assem-
bly,, there would lie no reduction in the
expenses of the present system.
still more important than any change
suggested, is the question whether or
not the sovereign people OF the Com
monwealth shall be denied the power Of
passing finally upon the work OF the
convention. and declaring whether it
shall stand as tho organic law of our
land The Democratic party is the
party of the people. 1t lives. and has
lived. because of its Willingness II sub
nit to the people the determination of
great questions affecting their rights
Shall the convention make for this
Commonwealth n Constitution without
according to the people the right to
pass upon its provisions? The Demo-
cratic party should proclaim in advance
its position, and thus the members of
the convention. owing allegiance to
that party. would be bound by its de-
| clarations.
| If ii be urged that no declara ton
| from the party to the effect that the
new Constitution shall reduce rather
! than increase the expenses of the gov
crnment-State municipal and county
! is necessary: that no declaration re-
| tanning tho presen: judges in Office. or
| avoiding any radical changes in the
| that no declaration is necessary pro-
| tecting involate the right of suffrage
exercised by the white people of the
| Commonwealth. though they may not
! possess certain educational qualfica-
| tlons: that no declaration is necessary.
securing to the people the right to pass
| upon the work Of til" convention. and
adopt OF reject il, nj the polls--then the
reply is conclusive that the convention
when once called is omnipotent. and un-
! less controlled by the declarations and
hedges of the party 10 which its mem
! bership must yield allegiance. il can
work results utterly forcseen and dis
| tasteful to the people and by refusing
| to submit its work 20 the popular vote.
| deprive The people OF any remedy.
We urge upon tho Democrats of the
! State-thc leaders and the men of the
rank ana fiic-that the simple question
! whether or not the party shall commit
| itself to the calling Of Il Constitutional
| Convention is Of far Ices moment than
the greater question Of what shall he
! its attitude with respect to tho scoue
/ ana character of the work Of tho con-
ventop. ard the fundamental nrincipl"
whether the pcoplc shall he derived
| 0f tho right Of accounting or rejecting
| tho Constitution as framed