Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-05-07

pledge, by proclsiming the proposed
constitution, will be liable TO the
charge of aiding in procuring votes
by false pretenses, and of voting for
the convention to assume authority,
that was not intended. by the people
to be conferred upon that body. The
convention is but the agent of the
people, and by no means constitute
the whole people of the State. As
between principal and agent, the
former has a right to sit in Judgment
upon the work of the latter, and to
accept or reject it as seems best. If
they want 1T, they will say so, and if
they do not want it. it would be an
unwarranted assumption 20 force it
upon them, near akin to Imperialism.
For there was one and many others,
| think the people should be called
upon to vote for or against the adop.
ton of the proposed constitution.
ID. c. Snyder, real estate agent: Il
am inclined to the opinion, it would
be best to proclaim it,"
J. ). Ware, farmer 81 am for
proclamation"
DIR. Thos. NJ. Lewis: Il am in
favor of proclamation first, aud next
to that, submission to an abridged
electorate. am opposed to submis-
sion to the whole people, because l
am sure it would be voted down, and
the time and money already expended
would be thrown away"
Col. 5. s. Thomas, farmer Il am
for proclamation"
Deputy sheriff Lupton: 81 am for
submission straight out"
Capt. c. 5. Lee: proclaim it..
DIR. w. r.. Stuart 81 favor submis-
sion to the whole people"
Lewis Pidgeon: 81 have always
looked on the work of the constitu-
tional convention as the work of al
committee. An organization always
has the right to accept or reject the
work of or recommendation of its
committees, and shis is no exception
to the rule. The whole people should
have a vote on the report of this,
their committee"
ID. Osburn: Il have talked with
many voters of this section in regard
to what action should be taken on
the constitution, and all favor procla.
nation. The cost to the State has
been great and should it be submit
ted to vote, it might possibly be
defeated
Republican chairman Chas. l..
Estep Il voted against calling the con-
stitutional convention, and of course.
! am still against it. am in favor
of submission to the whole people, as
l am sure it would be rejected by
them by an overwhelming majority.
If it is proclaimed, it means the
retirement of the Democratic party
from power here, in Virginia, and,
therefore, as Republican | would
rather see it proclaimed than submit
ted to an abridged electorate"
r. Powell Page, supervisor: "My
understanding was when we voted
for the constitutional convention that
it would be submitted to the people,
therefore l think they are in honor
bound to do So"
DR.. II. c. Summeryille: "In reply
to yours of first, in regard to submit
ting new constitution to vote of the
people, etc, l find that the plain,
straightforward, honorable and logi-
cal method to dispose of the matter
would be to submit it to the whole
people. Allow me to congratulate
You on the increased size and gener-
ally improved condition of the
COURIER. Long may you wave
Joseph Price: 81 am in favor of
proclaiming the constitution first.
because it would save the State a
large sum of money in holding an
election; second, that any pledge
by the Norfolk convention is not
binding on the delegates of the con
stitutional convention, because they
had no right to make such pledge
and further, if they had the right
and represented public sentiment al
that time, the people have a right t.
change their mind in that respect
and | believe have changed; third
that few people have read the consti
tuition, or ever will read it, anC
therefore would vote ignorantly upor
it; fourth, that the political cauldror
would be started to boiling, and W,
would have heated and undesirabl,
canvass; fifth, that we entrusted THU
4