The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-20
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1901.
a wonD WITH THE PEOPLE.


tieve that the Constitutional Convention,
which is soon to be held in this State,
twill mark an era in Nirginia's history
Eve believe that there is going to be a.
Eiieroe battle between the politicians on
ssslae one hand and the people on the other
over the control of the convention. and
ST the people are not on the alert the
Epoliticians will win. The great fight is
ITO be made before the convention is held,
Yin the selection of delegates, and we put
'Nthe voters OF the State upon notice. II
eth people do not exert themselves, II
xhcy do not have a care in selecting DEL
sesates, the control of the Constitutional
conpention will probably rest with The
so1iticians and the corporations of the
State combined. The corporations may
be de sendcd upon 10 take a hand in the
sstisht. They may not show their hand,
/ .hey probably Will not, but they will most
/ probably exert themselves in behalf OF
some candidates ana in opposition to
others we put the people on notice on
! that point also.
/ The Times is not an "anti-corporation'
paper. as that term is popularity en-
ployed. The Times believes in corpora
sinns. believes that they are necessary
TO The conduct of the great enterprises of
the age, but The Times is opposed 10
legislation that is hostile. per Sc, to cor
porations. The. Times believes that these
corporations should be encouraged, but it
also believe that they should be controlled
by the State authorities 1t would be
bad thing for Virginia should the Consti-
tutional Convention be controlled by a
combination of the corporations and the
politicians.
That convention should be in the hands
of true representatives OF the people Of
Virginia, and of the interests Of the State.
IT should he in the hands of men who
have no personal ends 10 serve. no axes
TO grind, as they say in politics. 1t should
be in the hands of men who will protect
The Individual interests and the corporate
Interests and the public interests alike. It
should be in The hands of Independent
statesmen VITO are not bound by per-
sonal obligations OF any character, but
who are free TO act as they deem best.
and who are determined 10 act for the
such men In Virginia, if only their SER
vices can be engaged, and we believe that
they viii serve il the people in this COM
rnunity and that Mill seek them out and
request them 10 do SO. But these men
are not going 10 seek the place, for they
are not piace-huntcrs. They viii not push
their own candidacy, for they are mod
est men and busy men. and. generally
speaking. would prefer 10 stay at home
and attend 10 their Own affairs. If they
are engaged, they must be sought out
and limited 10 run. The honor must
seek them; they viii not seek the honor.
"A serious responsibility will Eall upon
The man who is elected as a delegate to
this convention, and thoughtful. con-
scicntious men do not so around seeking
public responsibility If the people want
sudl men TO serve in the convention they
must, we repeat. seek them out and urge
aiier to run. If this course be pursued
41 every county and city in the State, we
shall! have a convention equal 10 any that
cvcr sat in Virginia; ne shall have a
thoughtful ieliberatipe. patriotic body
of men who cannot he influenced either
by the politicians or the corporations to
act in the interest OF any class. Their
enc aim viii be faithfully and efficiently
to serve the Commonwealth, ana to adj
vance her every interest without fay
oritistn TO any. but with equal justice to
ali and with due regard to the liberty
and the personal and property rights OF
the people.