Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-02-03
Tnlk Of \ Now Constitution

DROPOSAL of Il new Constitution for Vir-
1 ginia. embodied in q bill introduced by
Senator Cannon, should be approached de-
liberately. There are few who will not adj
NIT that the present Constitution was out
grown long ago. in spite OF the fact that
it dates back only eighteen years, and that
it is Il cumbersome. patched-up and unsat-
isfactory instrument. Admitting all that.
the matter OF expense must be considered
gravcly in connection with the urgency or
constitutional needs. 1t must be decided
after mature study whether or not these
needs are so urgent that Virginia can afford
20 spend upwards OF $500, 900 in calling to-
gether a convention to draft Il new Consti-
tuition and putting it before the pconlc for
their approval.
The present Constitution has obvious and
grave defects. II is remarkable that it's
shortcomings and impcrfections arc not more
numerous than they are. That i'm itself is
Il tribute TO the sanity Wc the men who
drafted it. It was drawn at Il time when
the minds of its trainers still were imbued
with the inJustlccs and Inequalities OF the
MISUNDERSTANDING Constitution. work OF
the black-and-tan convention, and the .ur-
nio1ls ana Eardships OF the lteadjuster
regime. Tiat Constitution. largely the prod
'cs or northern minds, went TO one extreme.
The exploitation OF Virginia and its pcoplc.
Cnder 1t the State was mulctcd of millions
OF dollars ana the people were ground under
tho heel OF outside capital. Then came the
Constitutional Convention Of 190l-2, with
us grim determination TO right Virginia's
wrongs. Delegates 10 that convention pos
Scssed IL natural hatred of everything that
SavoTed OF the Underwood Constitution. even
us commendable points, and they were of
one mind that there should be no repetition,
no more running into dci,t with its inevitable
NeadJuster tribulations. Thus they pro-
cecdcd to the other ext'emc. In their land
able desire q DrOtpc, tI,Y;,f, ibo,- or laJ-u,
1t ABOUT and bound il around with consti-
tn'onai requirements tina; legitimate bust
ness has been seriously pcnalizcl and faces
almost insurmountable obstacles. Perhaps
in no other State in tho Union is the legiti-
mate development OF the State made so DIM
cut. lhc same condition extends to the Of
ice OF the Governor and the various depart
,achts' which are literally crampcd for
breathing space by reason OF the constitu-
tionai limitations placed upon them.
The result is that Il growing number of
amendments is found necessary. In pas,
years the changes have not been unduly
numerous, but many have been proposed at
this session OF the Assembly. and the dr..
lnand for further changes threatens TO he
come moro i%nsistcut under rapidly alterinr
conoltiohs. Each amendment put before the
people means al heavy drain on tho State
/ feaSury. and III the course Of time the e1-
pchse OF recurring amendments will aggre-
500 W. tHGii IliS CoSJ OF 4 new COnStitT-
ton. Hence, it is argued, tho convention
"on'u be cheaper in the long run. Eut
there is no assurance that the new Corstj-
Triton would be SO perfect as TO stand with
ont amendments. The history of Constitu.
;ions docs not lead to that assumption. In
iact, the reverse is true. Hence. Virginia
stands in risk OF spending more than a quar-.
Yer OF a million dollars that it needs sorelv
10Y other purposes, and with the nrw CON
aflintion adopted still finding i,solf little
Deter OH. That certainly would be The re-.
suit II the convention were not guided wisely
ana iHStend OF laying down Il few basic pr;n-
cipleS' assisted on following precedent and
~ehcumbering the Constitution with details
mat should be left to the legislative and
administrative branches OF The government
IL Is not Il matter to be decided hastily
ana 1t may be the part of wisdom 10 work
along under the present Constitution MAX.
ing absolutely necessary changes, until the
disturbed conditions incident TO the nost-
war period have become settled, and tho
state is III better position to PASS upon ;tc
constitutional needs, and financially better
able TO meet them.
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