The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1901-08-25
ARGUING ON PROCLAMAT ION.
Submission Of the Constitution Dis
cussed Mt Richmond.


RlCHMGND, Va. Aug. H.-Shortly ar
ter the Constitutional Convention was
called to order this afternoon. MIR. Pet
tit moved that the body resolve itself into
a com.nittce of the whole to consider
the report! of the Committee on the Bill
of Rights After the adoption of his mo-
tion, the convention was addressed by
Mr.. Stebbins, of Halifax. who confined
his remarks to the amendment offered by
Mr.. Wysor. Mr.. Stebbins said he regret
ted that this question had been precipi-
tated at this time. 1t would have been
best to wait until something definite had
been done, and the sentiments of the peo-
pie on the subject felt for and heard from.
He said he would discuss the subject from
the plain, practical standpoint OF lay
man.
ITO disfranchise n large number of
voters and leave the question to them to
say whether they would adopt it or not
would be stupendous folly and would
consign us to oblivion.
And yet we are met here by men who
are opposed to lifting this burden that is
pressing upon us. and insist that negroes
should be allowed to say whether they
will continue to prove a menace to ma
terial progress and blight on our politi-
cal institutions
Much more has been sought to be
made of the resolution of the Norfolk
Convention of 1890 than was intended at
the time. 1t was never intended that the
resolution should bind the action of this
convention. The same may be said of the
act of the Legislature. 1t has no binding
force on the power of this convention. If
the call for this convention had been
voted by the people that 1t should be sub
mitted back to them for ratification,
then. and only then, would we be re-
stricted or bound to submit our work for
adoption. But the people voted no such
thing. They simply called US here, leav-
ing to us the unchallenged right to pro-
claim this constitution.
Suppose you submit it? Have you
thought of the hot campaign that would
follow? Virginia does not want any red
shirt campaigns in her borders. Her peo-
pie trust US to deliver them from the ne
cessity of another period of excitement
and of political unrest. We should rad
ically reform the suffrage and adopt the
best method for putting it in operation.
There is no doubt that public sentiment
is rapidly crystallizing in favor of pro-
claiming this constitution.
Unless we complete our work by Octo-
Der it will be impossible to submit it at
the next general election. That failure
will compel not only another election. but
an extra session of the Legislature.
I'VE are not without precedent in this
matter. Mississippi, Kentucky. and many
other States have proclaimed their con-
stitutions In all my enquiries among the
noble people OF Halifax, have not been
able to find any who now favor the sub
uniting OF this constitution to the present
electoratea.I Ind them willing to trust TO
our Judgment and patriotism in this mat
ter. / hope the amendment of the gem
tleman from Pulaski Will be overwhelm-
ingly Defeated
Dr. Dunaway offered a resolution that
further consideration of the amendment
be postponed until a future date. Mr..
Pedigo raised Ethe point of order that a
resolution of this nature could not be en-
tertained in committee of the whole.
The chair ruled the point well taken.
DR.. Dunaway then withdrew the resolu-
ton.
Judge Harrison then addressed the con-
vention- He said:
The Underwood constitution itself was
submitted to the people for adoption I'M
der the Instruction of the Legislature.
The people of Virginia did vote on that
constitution, and by adopting it made ii
possible for us to assemble here now and
construct "a rev constitution | opposed
the calling of a constitutional convention.
When the convention at Norfolk made
sol =mn promise TO submit the new con-
stitutiOn to the people. then. and not till
then. did / vote for it. To get other
votes solemn pledges were made to the
people. and it win not do for us to prove
false to any pledge
1T Will not do to have it said a promise
was made, the end sought secured. and
then that promise was fiippantIy broken.
If you proclaim the suffrage clause,
you in eject proclaim the whole consti-
tuition. As matter of logic, YOU have
no more right to say shall be deprived
of my vote on one part of the instrument
any more than on another. Any attempt,
directly or indirectly, to force this consti-
tuition will be resented at the polls. You
say the negroes will defeat it. If so, how
IS IL that the negro counties sent men
here who are most eager to disfranchiSe
them. and those who oppose that invaria-
bly, come from white counties. I believe
it will be the black counties that will aid
us in having shis constitution adopted
and overcoming the divisions among white
men in other sections of the State.
'"Fhe Fifteenth Amendment was the
greatest crime of the century. | thor
oushly sympathize with the condition of
my white brethren in the black belt. but
can say to you, Do not attempt to in
terfere with the right OF white men in
white counties to express themselves up
on the adoption of this constitution. Give
them a grand constitution and give them
a chance to approve of It. and you need
have no fears of the result