The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-27

It seems to be the concensus Of opinion
among nearly all classes of citizens that
not since the settlement of the veXed
questions growing out OF the late Civil
War have the people Of Virginia been
confronted with such important public
issues as those involving the election
and holding of a Constitutional Conven-
ton to frame a new organic law for the
State.
Indeed, the great evil which the body
Will be called upon to remedy is itself
the direct offspring of reconstruction
times, the present Constitution having
been framed by the enemies of the Old
Commonwealth when she lay helpless
upon her broken shield, unable to resist
the injustice heaped upon her defenceless
citizens By ignorant negroes and carpet
baggers who came 10 feast upon the eN-
tremities of am overpowered and poverty
stricken people
The opening year OF the twentieth ecn-
fury brings the first real substantial ray of
hope for constitutional reform, the people
never before having considered that they
were strong enough, or that the time
WAS fully ripe for undertaking the great
task of framing 4 new organic law for
The State.
Up to the present stage Of the struggle
ii has been the peoples fight. and the
masses OF the Democratic voters who
have no higher ambition than to widen
The way of Yirgina's advancement and
10 pave the paths of her citizens with
prosperity and contentinent. are respon-
sible for the victory gained in ordering
a Constitutional Convention to be held.
THE CRUCIAL TEST OF BATTLE
But The crucial test of the struggle, upon
which Is &aid 10 hinge The late of sub
staHial and beneficial constitutional re-
form. IS yet TO come: and lies in the Sc
lection % men who are To compose the
Convention
II is already beginning 10 be whispered
about that Il certain circumscribed cle
1nent of the Democratic party, which.
tits CLAIMED. opposed the calling of 4 Con-
Velrtjon, is now hUsiiy engaged in laying
plans 10 control the body and 10 dominate
a majority of the members after they
have assembled 10 undertake the nomen-
tous work for which the Convention was
ordered.
Whether this be true or not, it is COM
mon talk I'm political circles. and much
apprehension is being expressed lest the
people shall sleep upon their rights. and
fail TO take a proper interest in the selec-
ton of the men whose work is destined
20 hive such a far-reaching effect. not
only upon those of the present generation,
but upon their children and their chill
dren's children.
There has long been a demand for fewer
offices In the State. and it Is said that
there exists Il tendency among oftice-hold-
ers generally 10 combine and send men TO
the Convention who will oppose any re-
form in the way % the consolidation
or abolition OF any OF the present Of
fees. either under the county or State
governments iGt it is said that there
arc even more potent and dangerous fac
tors than these at work in an effort TO
control the Convention and that they all
.4and ready to poll Interests" and make
u straight fight against che people in the
selection OF delegates.
Against this apparent danger there
seems TO stand out one redeeming hope,
and ii IS 10 this that the rank and tile,'
look fo!, thci1. victory.
DISTINCTIONS RECOGNIZED.
There IS an evident recognition on the
part Of the people IN nearly every section
of the State that the making OF new
Constitution is no child's play, and that
1t is a far different proposition from
those which arise ordinarily IN the run
ing of governments. 1t would. there
fore, appear that as a general PROPOSE