The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-02-11
THE TREASURES, PROTEST..

The IkEASj kERS PROTEST.
The county trcaSurerS OF the state VIII
meet here next Wednesday to protest
against the proposed change in the Con
stitutiOn relating TO their neligiblity for
reelection after second term OF four
years and it looks as ii they will bc up
against the real thing
Some of theconvention members talked
very plainly on the subject yesterday
One said he thought il was a remarkable
proposition. and that such movement
would tend To confirm the convention in
its action. Il have no favOrs TO ask OF
any body. and am not a candidate for
any Office. aud therefore shall stand firm
in my position Another member said
be had voted for the proposition, not
with much enthusiasm, but that the
threat OF the treasurers would make
him immOvable in his position 60 stand
by his original vote. Ii Is not believed
there will be any reconsideration of the
vote, but Indications are along the line
that the former action OF the body will
stand. Members are saying that II the
county treasurers persist IN their move
ment to condemn the body for It's action
ia making the treasurer ineligible after
second term OF four years. they may get
something worse There is talk OF recon
sidering the ordinance and combining
the offices of treasurer and sheriff. which
would amount 10 abolshing the former
office. Richmond Times
The above article may be called
mystery, for to, the average Virgin
--;ss+-s-n1nd II neutrality-suspicious. some
| very mysterious statements. The
FREE LANCE is led to ask at least two
questions as follows: First, Is there
a necessity on thepart of the County
Treasurers OF the State, for Offering
a protest to the Constitutional Con
vention? Second Why should any
member OF the Convention seriously
object to hearing protest against
the actions of that august body?
1t is the purpose Of this article to
briefly discuss these two natural
questions.
In order TO properly understand
the former, it is in order to ask, Why
County Treasurers may with due
propriety hold their Offices just as
long as the people desire them TO do
so? Have the gentlemen, whose duty
heretofore has been TO handle the
funds of the counties. been recreant?
Have they betrayed the trust com
mittsd to them by theirconstituents?
Can the office be better filled and
it's duties more Systematically and
carefully carried out by thisp proposed
change?
These questions very naturally
suggest themselves when one under
takes to explain or even understand
what the Convention meant by say
inc that no man should fill the office OF
Treasurer for more than two terms.
Then again the Importance OF tins
office is sufficient to make everyone
desire that it shall be filed by the
very best and most substantial cltl-
zen that may beprocured. Is 1t good
Judgment or even good business
policy to say that even though the
Treasurer has been faithful and eff
cient he shall not continue to serve
the people just as long as they want
him?
THE FREE LANCE believes that any
man ought to be continued in any
office lust so long as he is true to his
trust and the people desire his sery-
ices.
Why not say that the State Treas
urer or the State Auditor or any other
appointee must be limited IN the
wears of service Just as well as to say
that an officer chosen by the votes
of the people shall be so limited?
It's all rot of the dryest sort, and
we only wonder that the people have
not voiced a protest against TINS
abridgment of their rights
The County Treasurers OF tins sec
ton of Virginia are men OF mgh
standing. and such an attack upon
them is wholly uncalled for; nor can
there be found the least semblance OF
reason for such action as that taken
y bv the Convention. All of these Off
Gals are bonded for the faithful per
Torrance OF their duty. VIII con
+;nnance in Office, even for lifetime,
cause any risk to the Commonwealth?
But enough said about the first
question, for continuation would
but make us feel this thrust at the
people's rights all the more. We do
not blame the Treasurers Tor feeling
very keenly about this matter ana
only regret that it appears from all
reports that their journey to Rich
mond will be in vain
Asto the second question, we are
already on record.
The people OF this State whether
they be officials or not, have per-
feet right to protest against any act
~ the Constitutional Convention,
and their protest should at least be
heard, even il not needed.
IT. n,onohers OF the Convention