The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-05-22
REAssEMRLEs

The Constitutional Convention viii re-
assemble to-day and the members will re-
sumo their iabors The work OF the con-
yertion was practically completed when
the recess was taken. The Committee on
Final Revision have iabored Industrious.
IL during the recess and are prepared to
make report.
The main question before the conven-
don now is whether the Constitution shall
Z be proclaimed or submitted to a vote Of
the people for adoption. It seems to be
q foregone conclusion that tho instrument
win be put into effect by the simple act
of proclamation.
II there was a demand on the part OF
the body polite for an opportunity to
vote on this question it would be an OUT
rage for the convention to override that
sentiment and proclaim the Constitution
But public sentiment is 30 clearly in ia
for Of proclamation that the convention
Will be obe,1ng the wishes Of the peo-
pie in proclaining 1t. It has been said
that the rnass-meetings which have been
held here and there throughout the State
were not representative meetings and so
could not be construed as expressing the
public sentiment. But. however that
may be, 1t is a fact that no meetings
have been held in protest, and with very
few exceptions wherever there has been
any expression of the people Of any COM
munity 1t has been overwhelmingly in IA
xor Of proclamation. We feel perfectly
sure that should the convention decide to
submit the Constitution to a full vote
Of the people there would be a storm OF
protest throughout the length and
breadth Of the Commonwealth.
The members OF the convention have
been out among their constituents. have
explained the situation to them. and a
large majority Of them at least have con-
WINGED themselves .het the people desire
that the Constitution be proclaimed. Each
and every delegate is responsible to his
constituents. and it is matter between
hin, and them as to how he shall vote on
this question There are a few delegates
who have said that they felt it to be
their duty to vote for submission, regard
less Of the wishes of their constituents
Is,,t no delegate has declared that he
would vote for proclamation in defiance
Of the sentiment of his community
To proclaim part of the Constitution
and submit the rest to the new electorate
were mere child's play, and that proposal
will not be seriously entertained by the
convention.
It, therefore. becomes question as to
whether the Constitution shall be sub
m.ttcd to the present electorate or pro-
claimed, and as between these two prop
ositions there is no doubt as to what
course the convention will pursue.
The convention has done its work well.
It has given us the best Constitution.
perhaps, that Virginia ever had. It Is
a Constitution with which the people
generally are pleased, and those who are
pleased with 1t will certainly not be dis
posed TO raise disturbance because the
convention has seen fit to put it into eff
feet by tho simplest and surest process.
J Some have expressed the fear that if
the Constitution be proclaimed it will
cause a split In the party. All that we
have to say in reply to that is that any.
!: Democrat who would leave the party for
lany such reason under al the circurn-
! stances. is not very much in love with
] hia party.
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