Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1902-04-10
SUBSCRIPTIONS.
THURSDAY. APRIL 10. 1902.
The Convention And The Party.

TIE Spirit OF the Valley is Republican
newspaper, but 1t is a fair and honest
paper, and We are surprised at the some
what Incorporate article in its last issue
on the work of the Constitutional Conven-
ion. 1t says, among other things, that
the convention is an intensely partisan
body and that the Democratic members
have been sitting day after day at the ex-
pense Of the tax payers, while endeavOr-
ing 10 come to conclusion among them
selves as to what suffrage plan would be
most likely to keep the Democratic party
in power.
We DO not deny that there are parti'
sans IN the Constitutional Convention.
There is nothing criminal in being parti-
san, provided man be honest But we be-
lieye that the members of the Constitu-
tiona Convention have endeavored to
make a Constitution, in their Judgment,
which will beet subserve the interest ofthe
whole people. IN discussing the suffrage
d6estfUn The idea has been to eliminate
Objectionable negro voters from our
politics without violating the fifteenth
amendment to the Federal Constitution.
But this is not solely in the interest of the
Democratic party. 1t is in tine interest Of
clean politics and pure government. The
constitutional Convention was called in
response to that sentiment. The dishonest
election practices in certain parts OF the
State had become intolerable to the great
body of the people, yet it was Gained
that these practices were necessary to
prevent negro domination. Therefore,
the people said that they would call con-
vention and get rid of the negro voters
and so remove the cause and even the
Richmond Times.
WE are surprised that the Times should
undertake to refute charges of the Esprit
of the Valley" that the Constitutional
Convention is an intensely partisan body.
The Times must know that when the
question of holding such convention was
first considered it was discussed pro and
con as to what effect it would have upon
the Democratic party in Virginia. If the
Democrats had ever thought the framing
ola new Constitution would not strengthen
the hold Of the Democratic party on Nir'
GINA tine convention would never have
been called by their consent. The con.
ventlon movement was PARTISAN from -
begini,. ..y' and no law.naking body hf
ever assembled in civilized land that was
so swayed i'y partisary as is the presenf
Constitutional Convention ofVirginia.
The new Coz sttution has been framed
in a political carcus, and every section
\ has been shaped with view of makiEg
democratic rule supreme and permanent
Was there ever a more unfair and 1sr-
tisan measure than the proposed new fuf-
frage law? 1t was framed in party fan
Gus. it will be administered by partisan
officers, and will establish in Virginia
powerful party machine flat will be a
disgrace to the State. The refusal OFF the
Convention TO permit the count etoral
boards to have any members1 but |
Democrats, and liz refusal to } con-
sent to the amendment which, pro-
vided that ona ofthe clerks ateach election
precinct should be Republican, ought to
convince any honest man that tthe sole
purpose of the new suffrage law is to adj
vance lheinterests ofthe Democrat1 party.
Intelligent people will laugh ! at the
Times if it undertakes to say that the Con-
vention is not intensely partisan. The
Times says: "There is nothing criminal IN
being partisan. provided MAJ be hon.
est" Is man honest whose conscience
is so perverted by partisanry FIAT he will
sanction a dishonest measure from a con-
viction that good will result?