The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-12-14

xI1.J -l1lAXl16s 1l-AN-ysAA
go out and when you come in. Say
so In speech. and in song, and In look.
ind in all llfe
It was Queen Victoria who on hearing
OF the splendid reception which had been
given her daughter by her Canadian
subjects, sent this message across the
seas: PLEASED with the reception; say
So" Are you thankful? Then say so.
Is there anything that the South can
not grow?-Richmond Times.
We do not know so much about the
productive capacity of other portions OF
the South: but we should say, judging
the tree by its fruit. that the soil OF F1r-
ginia, in many sections, is no longer
adapted to the growth of statesmen
Brunswick Gazette.
That is sad commentary which SEN
ator Glass makes upon the character or
tho men who represent Virginia IN her
Legislature when he charges that there
exists a bargaln-counter in the Legisla-
ture by which Judgeships are exchanged
for committee clerkships and legislators
arc voted in blocks of five. Mr.. Glass IS
a member Ct the Legislature. is in a posi-
ton to know whereof he speaks, and
doubtless feels himself impelled to speak
from a high sense of duty. Mr.. Glass
makes his charge in general terms, ana
until 1t is more specifically stated, 1t is
an nrraiErnr,nt Of tie whole body of
legislators--onc no Jess than another. The
charge wrs made by gentleman or
ability and character publicly on the
floor of the Cons titutional Convention OF
Virginia. and in unqualified terms. Mem
berS Of he Legislature Of Virginia can
not afford to pass it by unnoticed. They
dare not decline to take cognizance of 1t,
for they could not justify themselves to
their constituents If they did 1t is inn
perative upon them to demand the APP
pointmcnt OF a special committee to in
vestlgate the charges by Mr. Glass so
as to take precautions against Il recur-
renee of the pra ctice in the future. 1t
is important also for the people of Vir-
gina to know the names Of the men who
make bargain-counters of the important
trust conflded to their hands by the
people-Petersburg Index-Appeal.
With all due regard for the foresight
and wisdom OF the majority of the Vir-
gnia Convention, the determination to
let the Legislature elect the judges seems
to US the gravest departure from Repub-
to us the gravest departure from repub-
body.-Staunton Spectator
One of the weakest points in our pres
ent Constitution in our opinion. is that it
provides for the election OF judges ana
State officers by the Legislature and not
by the people. The convention to make q
new Constitution proposes to continue
that plan. The people are to elect Leg
islature to do for them things which
they are more competent to do for them
selves.-Clifton Forge Review.
In the convention yesterday the Com
mittee of the Whole finally decided upon
the election OF Supreme Court Judges by
tho Legisla ture.
We consider the act a grave mistake
We believe that the wishes of the people
of Virginia have been signally disregard
ed, and that enc Of the most needed
reforms IN the State has been defeated
through influences at once sinister and
inimica, to popular Observation-Disclosures
Vile Progress.
The Courier was one of the first. if not
the first, papers in the State to point out
the evil-and what in some instances
amounted almost to a scardal-in the
Legislature electing members of its body
to positions of truss and emolument. 1t
is more than gratifying to note that the
convention has adopted one clause in the
new Constitution which reads as follows:
No member of the General Assembly,
during the term for which he shall have
been elected, shall be appointed or elected
to any civil office of profit in the State
except Offices filled by election by the
people.
We would be still further gratificd if
this provision had been made to apply to
all legislative bodies, including city coun-
ellis as we'll as the State Legislature
The provision should embrace all. since
the evil in one instance is as wrong as
in the other. Still we are thankful for
this NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Courier.