Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-09-18
RICHMOND CELEBRATES
FIRST Constitution DAY
Speakers ut Jefferson Auditorium
Meeting Laud Historic American
Document.
GUARANTY or JUSTICE TO ALI
Makes No Provision for Glass Repre-
scntation, but Stands for Equal
Rights-t'laNtou and. Ashburnc"
Deliver Addresses.

Exercises IN COMMUNICATION OF the
adoption or the Constitution Of the
United States were held last night in
the auditorium OF the Jefferson Hotel
under the auspices OF the Virginia Ear
Association. Richmond Bar Associa tion
and the Civic Association.
Addresses were made BY Philandcr
I. CiaNton. United States Commissioner
of Education. ami Charles L. Ashburn-
or. city manager OF Norfolk. Tho
speakers were introduced by l:ppa
liunton, .Ir.. and Thomas I. Bryan.
The invocation was delivered by Rev.
l.. y. Calisch. u. -.
Mr.. CLAYTON said that 1t was hitting
that Virginia should take the lead in
observing Constitution Day as a Nir-
ginian presided over the convention at
Philadelphia. a Nircinian led in the
fight for the ratification of the instru-
menL a Nirsinian was the principa!
interpreter. Of tho great charter. and
when the time came Virginia was even
ready TO sacrifice tac Union that the
principles OF the Constitution might
be maintained.
Traces CONSTITUTIONS History.
The speaker said that Mark Twain
had said tina; the Constitution was a
document which WAS placed in the back
Gladstone had declared II 10 he the
most important instrumcn; OF modern
times. MIR. ClaNton traced the history
OF the Constitution, showing the CON
trovers.oS between the little states and
re big states. and showing how these
We're compromtsed b. making repre-
Scntation IN the House OF Representa-
tircs depend upon population and in
the senate on the number OF States.
He said that tho solution OF this
question had brought about il condition
where il was impossible for MasSachu-
setiS or Pcnnsylvania 10 infringe on
the rights of Rhode Island or Della
ment 10 take away statehood from
Nevada winch. At one time. in poin;
OF population was smaller than Rich
mond.
No Cinss Representation.
The speaker declared that il was
OF the essence OF the Constitution that
our representatives do not represent
any class. aithou2ht some would Ike
the dangers that would proceed from
such / departure.
lie referred TO the fact that. under
the Constitution. labor and capital, as
such had no particular representatives
and that the same was true as to
churches and universities and races Of
dittons that existed in European par
llaments prior to the war. lie de-
clared further that the Constitution
had proved to be elastic, and capable
OF being amended TO meet changing
conditions.
Thomas p, Bryan, in introducing Mr..
hshburner, declared that the ConStitu-
ton cannot live by itself hut will fall
II il does not have tho sympathetic
support of tho people. lie declared
that the people must exercise the priv
i!eGcs and fulill tho duties the docu-
mcnt imposes by going 20 the polls
He said further that the Civic hSso-
citation intended soon 10 conduct a
"a mpai-n so that the people would
vote and that the association was not
Interested in how they voted. but in
their voting
Discusses City Manager PInn.
MIR. .Ashburncr's address referred
nrincipaliy 70 the city manager form
declared had been a great success. lie
declared that the ward system Of rep
ress ntation. in force IN many cities,
Was failure and said that Norfolk
had five councilmen who were elected
from the city at large. These elected
the city manager and the city man
aGcr appointed tho heads of depart
mcnts. Tho councilinen are subject
to be recalled and tho city manager
can he removed by them and the Dc
partmcntal heads must do their duty
or b. removed by the city manager.
lie declared that during the year in
which the system had been in effect.
Norfolk's deficit had been reduced
from S?3lh0O to sT27.O0N. and that 81.
"55.0oo 81 improvements were under
way.