Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-03-27

The Virginian-Pilot yesterday con-
tinued it's interviews with Democratic
leaders of the city on the question of
Constitutional Convention.
Those seen expressed themselves in
favor of the convention. and they all
cmphaticaily favor the submission of
the new constitution to the people for
ratification or rejection.
COL. w. w. SALE.
Colonel w. w. Sale, member of the
City Democratic Executive Committee,
said
You asked me my views on the Con-
stitutional Convention. The fact is self
evident that we need a great many
changes in our present constitution,
and it seems that it will be necessary
to have n Constitutional Convention
make those changes. 1, for one, am
unwilling to acknowledge that Virgin
ians of the present day cannot make
some Improvements upon the constitu-
ton adopted twenty-siX years ago, un-
der the circumstances that existed
then. l believe the adoption of new
constitution would result in the abol-
ishing of n number of offices. and while
should be sorry to see any Office
holder lose his position. still we must
made for the good of the people as a
whole and not for the purpose of serv-
ing the Interests of any individual or
Office holder l believe that this view
is held by the majority of the people
who now hold offices In this State; in
fact, there exists so strong n sentiment
In favor Of a Constitutional Convention
that the holding of one Is Il foregone
conclusion. At any rate, I am In ia
vor of referring the matter to the peo-
fllDV
on IT.
Mr. w. H. Sergeant, Jr.. who was
present when Colonel Sale was inter
viewed said he was opposed to the con-
vention, but, upon being asked by the
reporter the reasons of his objections
he said his opposition was not to the
convention itself-he simply wanted
guarantee that the new constitution
would be submitted to the people.
CAPTAIN A. J. DALTON.
CAPTAIN a. j. Dalton, chairman of the
City Electoral Board. said he favored
revision of the present constitution,
which was made 10 suit conditions just
after the war. and was ratified at n
time when suffrage was restricted by
carpet bnggers. He thinks the question
is the biggest one Virginians have
faced for a long time, and if the con-
vention does not make a constitution to
suit the corporations and their friends
a big effort will be made to Kill 1t. AS
for ratification by the people, Captain
Dalton thinks this procedure is so we'll
backed by precedent and right that 1t
has come almost TO be regarded as
law, that the people shall ratify
changes i'm the organic law which is 10
govern them.
MIR. THOMAS j. RANDOLPH.
Mr.. Thomas ]. Randolph. secretary
of the City Democratic Executive Com
mittee. said:
Il am unqualfiedly in favor of Il con-
stitutional convention at this time, to
revise the un-Virginian monStroSity
saddled on us by Judge Underwood and
his cohorts in reconstruction days.
II favor it both because I believe it
expedcnt that the Democratic party
should take in hand at once the revi-
sion of our present State organization.
and also because I feel it is the only
RIGHT thing for the party to do, if it
expects to continue 10 receive the sup
port of the people.
"Our present system is too expensive,
as shown by the fact that North Caro-
lima. our neighbor State, with practi-
cally the same population and an area
larger by over 10000 square miles, has
a better State administration, legisla-
tive. executive and judicial, at nearly
ONE-HALF what we have to pay now.
further believe this generation Is as
~ -
for ourselves and our posterity, and is
as able to formulate the proper organic
law looking to that end as any Vir-
ginia has ever produced, or ever Will
produce.
Il have no fear. as some seem to
have that the convention will be
packed by those who favor retaining
our present form, or saddling on the
people worse one. But as n correc-
tive l heartily favor referring the in
strument which may be adopted back
to the people for their decision on its
merits.
II predict that the Democratic party
will push through the good work. and
that the convention called under it's
auspices will so order and settle our
two most serious question, viz: The
suffrage and the cost of adn1inistra tion
upon the best and surest foundations
that the peace and happiness. truth
and justice. which were enjoyed by the
fathers. will be established among us
for all genera tons"
MIR. j. ARNOLD DAIRY
Mr.. j. Arnold Daily said he had been
in favor of a Constitutional Conven-
ton for several years. Asked If he
favored the people right of referendum
as well as the initiative in this case. he
emphaticaily expressed himself as be-
ing in favor of the people having q saw
in everything, especially in SO para
mount an issue as the framing Of a new
Constitution. TITS tho peoples money
~.