The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-04-24
(Communicated)
THE NEW CONSTITUTION.
Features Discussed and Its Adoption Advocated

p
To THE FREE Lance:
That the new constitution is great
Improvement upon the present existing
constitution, no intelligent man ear
deny.
lat IL curtails the number OF oilicer'
and greatly decreases the cost OF oni
Government.
2nd. 1t greatly improves the adminis
tration OF Justice, and enables the trla
causes for more speedy both in civil and
criminal cases.
3rd. IL improves our system ol county
and universal government and estab
fishes system Of checks and balances
which will, to q great extent prevent
speculation in office and prevents n mai
from holding more than one office at
time, and prevents the county treasurer
from holding three consecutive terms,and
il establishes a judicious system oil In
spection from time TO time.
18th. 1t gives us a railroad commission
which will prevent in the future dis
elimination in freight rates, from which
our people have suffered so materially in
the past Excessive onerOus rebates on
freight which have been allowed
favored shippers will be no longer pos
sibe
9Th. The constitution il adapted 20
the circumstances of our people, and IL
not a seryile copy Of the thickly-settled
township system Of Massachusetts, as is
the present Underwood Constitution.
9th. 1t gives suffrage plan, which
while it is true is a compromise. IL yet a
vast Improvement upon the present in
famous and nefarious system. II makes
the qualifications for voting simple and
plain, and insures white supremacy in
yirginia without violating any part o'
the Federal Constitution, which II a tire
mendous stride in the direction OF pro
gress and reform and will enable us to
ret rid of the Infamous and inquitout
walton Election Law" which is a re-
proach upon the State, the administra
ton of which brings the blush OF shame
upon every honest Democrat in Virginia
and has resulted in giving Virginia as
class the most incompetent set OF ofiicial'
known to history, and has in IN
calculable ways corrupted the morals o.
our people. Very few white men are dis
iranchised by the suffrage plan, indeed
so few that it may well be stated thai
the man who is unable to qualify him
self to vote under the new constitution Il
Justly and properly deprived from the
right Of exercising that privilege.
9TH. IL lowers aud reduces the rate o.
taxation, and will prevent the over-tax
alton Of the counties from which we hay,
suffered in the past.
Sth. While very liberal and properly sc
in it's enactments relative to corpora
tions and joint stock companies, 1t pre-
vents many both public and private
charters by provisions, which render then
impractieable.
These in brief are the advantages tha
/ il offers to the people OF Virginia. an'
they are so great that the new constitu
ton should be proclaimed without an,
submittance to the people, and in an!
event it ought to be submitted only Il
the new and rectifed electorate. To sub
NIT it TO men who are disiranchised b.
the very instrument upon which the
will have to vote is the height, indeed,
NAV say the very essence Of folly. tn
people who advocate that course are a
least enemies OF the new constitution
and desire It's defeat. And in this con
nection do not hesitate to state tn
well known fact that many members
the Constitutional C0yention desire II
defeat The fact that the convention wa
called at all was a signal triumph oil th
people over the politicians and the col
porations. The influence executed b.
corporate influence over some of tn
leading papers in Virginia is an elemen
. which ought to be considered by the PEE
pie. Afraid to oppose openly it's ratii
cation, these papers advocate It's sul
mission to the present existing electoral
; hoping thereby to bring about its d
feat. 1t will thus be seen that the co
porations and the politicians (at least
part Of them and papers under corpo
ate influence are banded together for
common purpose. To be forewarned
TO be Iorearmed. II the advantages
the new constitution are understood
the people it will be carried by majo
. ity so great that it will astonish
friends. urge ali good Democrats al
all good citizens, without regard
marty. to work together for its suppol
CAMM PATTEsON
Buckingham Co., Va, April 2l. 1907
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