The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-08-04
y AMENDMENTS TO THE CON-
y sTITuTION.

NJ
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81 AMENDMENTS TO THE CON
sT1TuTION.
cour amendments to the Constitu-
i of Virginia are to be voted upon
the people in November. These
,nges in the organic law OF the
nmonwealth have been proposed
! agreed to in due form by the Gen.
ms. Into the hands of the good
ople of Virginia" is now committed
The four propositions, amcndatory
the fundamental law of Virginia
on which the people must vote. are:
First. To make the session of the
neral Assembly ninety days, in
aad of sixty days, as at present.
Second. To allow county and city
.asurers to succeed themselves in
Ice indefinitely, the present provis-
Of the Constitution being that
ey may not serve more than two
nsecutive terms nor serve as depu~
(, IS OF their immediate successors.
Third. To provide that commission
IS of the revenue be elected by the
eople and may hold Office indefinitely
instead of inhibiting them from being
Eligible for reelection to the office
.or the next, succeeding term.
Fourth. To provide that bill may
,e read only once at length in each
House of the General Assembly, in
,tead of three times at length as at
ent
i our opinion, all these amendments
uld be defeated by the people Of
GINA. None of these proposed
lnges is either salutary or wise;
j no argument that has been adj
need in favor of them. or any one
them, has convinced us that there
any necessity now for such amend
MT of the fundamental law of this
nmonwealth
rhe Constitution of Virginia is the
)st solemn expression of the will OF
people. 1t was framed with great
liberation, and with the purpose
er in mind that 1t would
and for years "The assem-
ng of this convention tthat
,ich in 1902 framed the present Con-
ltution) was everywhere regarded as
momentous event The members of
were impressed with the solemn and
cred trust committed to their
.nds. 1t is probably a safe
dgment that this convention pos
ssed a larger number of men Of ex-
ptional talents and attainments than
" similar body that has assembled
!, Virginia within the memory Of liv-
8 men,"
1t Is submitted to the people for
elr reflection that an instrument
opted after such long and careful
,bor by the ATTEST and most patriotic
en- of Virginia ought not TO be
anged i'll any wise, unless there be
me urgent necessity. Without a
rong popular demand, based upon
isdom and high purpose, for amend
tent TO the Constitution, that instru.
lent should remain as it is
There is no public demand TOR these
i m a nd N, &c
earn. There is certainly no public
necessity for them. None OF the
changes is likely 10 add to the pros,
perity or to the welfare of the peo.
pie Of the Commonwealth. Nor will
the failure of the amendments
mean any loss in any way tc
the people. In fact, we believe tba,
their best interests would be served i,
these proposed alterations should he
overwhelmingly rejected.
The Constitution of Virginia is no,
an ordinary instrument. 1t i.
the lineal successor of III,
Virginia Constitution of 177c
adopted before that of the 1rni,o5
States and the "hrst written constitu
ton Tor free and independent Com.
monwealth known TO the world" /,
ought TO be upheld as an effective am
model instrument. Of government, not
as mere statute TO be changed fire..
#quently and easily. There is no Wa
son why the amendments should mas
mere are many reasons why the,
should be defeated.
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A CHANCE FOR CIAnLEsTo>
round TIP tickets, good from Angus
/. II TO Seniemhnr ha,.n 49,.