The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-07
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY :. lo,e.
\ LEGISLATIVE OUTRAGE.

DlIiRH' FtSupillt 10 popular vote the
amendment permitting cit: treasur-
crs and city commissioners OF
the revenue unlimited tenure. Even
cornHeld lawyer knows that
such resubmissinn this year is I'M
constitutional; that all law and precc-
dent declare tina, the Amendment is
dead and that the only thing the Cen
cral Assembly can DO is to star, all
over again If the vote comes to-day.
the people of this state will behold tho
sorry spectacle Of Senators who know
that the bin is unconstitutional voting
for It. II is true that certain Nom
bcrs OF the body arc convinced beyond
doubt that the measure is contrary TO
law, but because OF the appeals OF Of
fctholders %; home. Will against their
conscience and against their better
Judgment uphold propo2,tion which
contraycncs the Constitution. Lawyers.
good lawyers, men OF reputation and
standing a; the bar men who know
tho Constitution and know constitu-
tional law viii lay aside their obliga-
lion TO support the fundamental law.
The Constitutional Convention
body composed OF some OF the best law
yers and thinkers and patriots of Nir-
Einia, with care and dclibcratiun. after
long debate, inserted in the Constitu-
ton provision limiting city treusur-
ers to two terms and city &C minission.
crs OF the revenue to cut one term
when elected by the people. II was the
Judgment of the convention that the
principles here sought 10 be put into
operation were in full accord with hui
man experience ana the public veal
yet by their selfish Vaccinations the
city troasurcrs and Commiss oncrs have
prevented these reforms from having
any trial whatever CITY trcasurcrs
and commissioners in rNica when the
Constitution went into effect arc yet
in otTicc IN many cases Thcy were vot.
Cd on, of Office by the lcoplo. al the
polls in 1910, but In order 20 save their
political necks and to keep from being
ousted Mt all. certain trclsurcrs and
commissioners employed a:i able law
yer, who devised an ingenious plan
Tor demonstrating the matter In the
Genera! Assembly and reaunmitting the
question to popular vote this year If
this amendment had been ratified in
stead of rejected by the people, 10
question Of coEsiitutiona!lty would
have been raised. The cry OF uncon
sututionaiity in urging resubmission
this year has been tho wall of spc-
ciai class. The principle LAID down in
me Constitution has never been .ive,,
trial, and desperate band of office
holders has so .a- defeated utterly
this wise law, y Constitutional con.
Veni'on proposes, but the city ,rensur,
crs and comhh sssionsrs dispose.
Supporters of rcsubmission this yea,
shout, The people desire it. tho pco.
pie desire IL" There mas been no cvi.
oence that the people do any sucl
hing More than one hundred news
papers representing the counties .,
Virginia and open TO expressions from
The people are constantly scanned hy
Hhe es-Dispatch, but no expressio,
of demand for this rcsubmisslon ha.
TO our knowledge ever appeared In an,
county or city newsnanor =, 49, r,,..,
monwealth. /, Is pnssih,, ~,
newspapers have oditor,.r.. ad,ao.'..
such resubmlss!on. I'm, n MI.
rot been noted. The truth Of IS. tn,
people. as whole. know nothing 81
all Of the proposition. Ary statcmcn
that the people desire ,his ,n,.rg,no.,.
rcsubmittcd is Embellishments f,t.o
hood The city trcasurcrs and com
'nissioners Of the revenue -thero an,
all tina; wish rcsubnission ;nIs va,r
ana in 50 seeking they stand for
principia which the CONSTITUTIONS,
Convention and tie pnblic-spirito
men .. Virginia considered wholly IN
wise and detrimental to the interest
OF me people