The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-04-22

It begins to look. According TO Vel
rosted men on political affairs. as II the
lines on which the battle for the odop-
tion OF the new Constitution will be
fought will be similar to those that dl- dle-si |
vided the people in the great struss1o
for members Of the convention Inc real
reformers everywhere are crying 1orss
proclamation as the safest, easiest ano
least expensive method of putting the
instrument into operation. while. as
rule those who all along opposed any
change In the organic law express this
belief that the present electorate should
be allowed to pass upon it. The public
pulse, as 1t beats around the hotel lob
. bies at night in other gathering places
by day, indicates that great battis rs
on between the advocates and opponents
of constitutional reform.
IS IN THE WIND.
That the tide in the early stages OF thef
fight is toward proclamation Is evident
from what is apparently the predominant.
ing sentiment, as we'll as straws which
are flying here and there to denote the
course Of tho wind
The counties where any action has been
taken are all drifting that way:
Mecklenburg and Prince Edward had
y,
Nlessrs Tarry and McIlwaine to vote for
proclamation first last. and all the time.
Democratic Committee of Prince William.
Thornton to vote to proclaim I
One district in Meckelnburg county
declared for proclamation on Sat-
urday and a few days ago the Democratic
Committee Of Nelson voted the same way.
That county will hold mass-meetins On
Monday next to take further action. as
Delegte Gordon preferred that the whole
party should speak. Letters received here
from prominent and active Democrats
| forecast d victory for the proclamation
forces. One of them. who was very ac-ss
tive in securing instructions from that
county to make the convention party
issue. writes friend here: THE rank
and file of the party here are in favor
Of proclaiming the new Constitution, and
| will so vote in the mass-meeting. II the
negro is competent to vote on this great
question. then am not in favor OF dis;
franchising him as to other elections"
WANTED TO INSTRUCT.
Charlotte will hold a mass meeting On
| the first Monday in May. and the news
| from there favors proclamation. It will
| probably prevail. for it Is well known
| here that when Delegate Eggleston was
nomina ted for the convention a resoltl-
| ticn to instruct for proclamatioH was in-
! troduced and would have been adopted.
hut was withdrawn at the request OF
Mr.. Eggleston. who said he would pre-
fe: TO wait and SEQ what kind of an in
strument would be framed Those in
close touch with the situation in Char
lotte county say the public mind has not
undergone any change son the subject.
The Louisa Democrats will meet on the
Monday following. Ex-senator. William e.
Bibb said while here the other day that
he had no doubt that itswould result IN
a victory for proclamation Our peoples
look upon the instrument as wonderful
Improvement over. the present one. and
! are ina humor to sustain the work OF the
conventions
PUBLIC MEN FAVOR IT.
There isa strong sentiment. too. among
the public men of the State In favor OF
endorsing the conventions work. Hardly
a day passes that does not reveal some
thing along this line. In letter to the
State officers and members of the conver1-
ton. In which he advises them OF tie
shipment Of some constitutional oaks.
to be placed In their respective yards.
i Congressman Harry L. Maynard. Of the'.
Second District. is warm in his praise Of
the conventions work. Following Is 81
copy of the letter sent to Colonel John
~. Richardson. Register OF the Land
Office. on the subject:
! House of Representatives.
Washington. p. G..
April 49, 1892
Ny Dear sir.-The Department. OF Ag-s
riculture will forward you at my request.
at an early date. an oak tree. to ba
planted at your home as memorial OF
the Constitutional Convention. which Is
| Just about to finish its Iabors. hope the
| tree will live and flourish and serve to
remind you and Your family OF the great
services which the Constitutional Conven-
ton has performed In giving Virginia
homemade Constitution. one made bps
our own people. In place OF the iniauitous
Underwood Constitution. With kindest
Iregards. am. # 6
Very sincerely yours.
H. u AIAfNARD.
HALIFAX IN LINE.
Hon Wood Rouldin. of Halifax, return.
Led here from his home last nigh aud said
| 1T looked as ff his people taroxod pres
claiming the nsw Constitutts0.