Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-10-29
WHY NOT GIVE THE coNsTiTu'
TON A TRtAL7

TON A TRiAL7
Speaker Byrd has come out strong
" against the proposed amendments
10 The State constitution allowing
treasurers and commissioners OF rev.
enue to succeed themselves indef-
ni,eIy. In an interview given In Rich
mond Thursday the speaker. who had
been supposed TO be an advocate oil
all four of the proposed amendments
to be voted upon by the people next
month, declared with emphasis mat
rather than run the risk of having me
two referred TO adopted he would pre-
fer to see all four defeated.
MIR. Byrd's chief objection to allow
ing treasurers to keep their jobs in-
definitely Is based on the ground that
these officers. In add tion TO their
other powers, have charge OF the poh
tax lists and can use their positions
to build up controlling political
machines in their respective cities or
counties. He says:
To permit, under the suffrage re-
quirements of the present constitu-
ION. a treasurer to succeed himself
indefinitely means the creation OF
self-perpetuating oligarchy OF olice-
holders, based upon the extraordinary
power OF the treasurers. POLITICIAN
would league with the treasurers ana
create machines which only popular
revolution could destroy.
There is much truth in the speak
sr's contention. There are. Of course.
treasurers in the State who would not
abuse power entrusted in them, but
there are now and will be in the
future only too many ofiiceholders who
would not hesitate TO do the very
thing Mr. Byrd fears. As matter OF
fact. we dc not have to depend en-
tirely upon speculation as TO what
might happen in the future In form
ing an opinion about this matter.
Treasurers and other officeholders
already have abused their powers. and
already have created few machines
that can be destroyed only by some
tn ng little short of "a popular revo-
luton We are hoping for this rev.
olution next month in the shape OF
an overwhelming number Of Against
ballots
This paper does not believe that the
voters ought to spend great deal OF
time endeavoring 20 form opinions
as 10 the desirability or undesirabllity
Of the changes proposed to be made
by the amendments. Oar constitution
wss adopted only eight years ago. IL
was frarsd by the best brains of the
state after much elaboration and de-
bate. Why not give Il fair trial. a;
least. before starting out TO pull II TO
pieces? The provisions limiting the
tenure OF Office OF treasurers and com
misssoners Of revenue have not been
tried at ALL Just as the tine is ap-
preaching for rial. amendments cut
ting out the provisions are proposed
The movement started with and is be.
ing Supported by the oficcholders who
viii be required to retire shortly. un'
less the Law is ehsEEed. They want
10 hold their ;obs. naturally enough
and are not anxious to discuss ne
reasons the members q the consti,u
tionsl convention had e.. writing the
provisions into the organic Las. RoI
the dcsiFsbility Of giving he consii
tuition makers plan a test
The constitution Is not an act o
the legislature or = city ordinance. q
be amended OF repealed every tim
the wind shifts srhe states orEaui
Law ough, 60 stand until expertsnc
has demonstrated fully that chang
IN some particular IL necessary an
expcdient Possibly II would do n
Eres, harm TO adopt the propose
amendments scnzthcning the session
q The Legislature and eliminating %
requirement thar 4 BIZ shall b. res'
three times hcfcr, being Vut upcB u
passage BIT here is no psrucUls