Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1902-07-24
THURSDAY. JULY "a. 1902.
THAT WONDERFUL CONSTITUTION


and the defenders of the rump convention
have been loud and unceasing in their
praises of the instrument which has been
foisted upon the people by fragrant act
of usurpation. 1t has been pronounced a
wonderful piece of perfection in the way
of organic Law; and by some claimed to be
absolutely fawless. Already this exalted
assumption as to its merits begins to dis
appear, and we need not be surprised to
fud as time progresses that its most won
derful features are its profusion of words,
fruitful sources of litigation and defiant
usurpalion of authority that should be pri-
marily left to the people.
The Legislature of Virginia is now as
sembled in extra session at Richmond, I'M
der call of the Constitutional Conven
ton; and one of the first things that has
been done was the introduction of a joint
resolution in the Senate by Senator George
Wayne Anderson, of Richmond City, pro-
wing for an amendment to the new Con-
stitution, the object of which amendment
is to provide method for amending Sec
ton 1877, of article Is of the Constitution.
The purpose of this proposed amendment
is to change the reading of section 1877 so
as to guarantee to the people the right to
pass upon the work of future Constitutional
Conventions. This shows how the perfid-
lous usurpaton of the late Convention IN
proclaiming the Constitution is regarded.
1t also demonstrates the meanness Of the
rump convention in leaving the provision
for calling and holding future conventions
in such shape as to allow them the oppor-
tunity of defying and ignoring the wishes
of the people by proclaiming the Constitu-i
ton.
It has also been discovered that the new
Constitution had created an interval
wherein the trial courts of the State could
not supply themselves with juries. Bills
have been introduced in both Houses Of
the General Assembly for the purpose OF
trying to heal this defect. The old
statute provided that: "All male citizens,
twenty.one years of age, and not over
sixty, who are entitled to vote and hold
office under the constitution and laws
of this State, shall be liable to serve as
Jurors" Certain officers and others, on
account of their occupations were ex-
empted from jury service. The new Con
stitution has disfranchised every voter in
Virginia No man can be qualified to
vote or to hold office, elective or APP.
pointlve, until the registration Is made
next October. Therefore, no 5uries can
be summoned or ilnpaneled under the old
statute.
This serious and ridiculous situation is
sought to be relieved by the passage of an
enabling act by the Legislature, which
reads as follows:
call male citizens over twenty.one years
of age and under sixty, shall be liable to
serve as jurors, except otherwise provid
ed by the law of this Commonwealth"
The Legislature is forced, by slipshod
work of the Constitutional Convention, to
mass an act which makes all male citizens,
irrespective of color or condition, liable to
serve as Jurors. Can ehe Legislature do
a thing like that? CaG men who are not
permitted to exercise the right of suffrage
be made to serve on juries? And no man
in Virginia is qualified voter. Each and
every mans right to vote in this Com
monwealth is in allegiance, and is depend
ent upon the will and wishes of three men
appointed to pass UPON his qualifications
and rights at registration to lie held
next October.
The new Constitution is seriously de-
fectiye in that it has made no provision
for the election or appointment of consta-
bles. or for transferring the duties hereto.
fore done bg constabes to other officers.
Another defect is failure to provide for
oyerseers of the poor or transferring their
duties toother officers.
As the new Constitution is studied and
aoalyzed it will, perhaps, be found to be
the most confusing provoker of litigation
that has ever been presented as the or
ganic law of any State.
FREE WOOL.