Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-09-06

| Sooo i's candidates, Virginia will not
support them. Thus virginian. with
their boosted Inheritance of indcpen-
dcncc from Washington, jefferson
and their great associates. arc being
taught. under the long dominance OF
a political ring. to put party nboy.
the state. to refer slavery In
party name to the freedom of moo,
pie.
| IL is not surprising that the politi-
cal life OF tho State has dcteriorated
and II has lost its influence I'm ma
tionai affairs.
The Democratic Party stands for
the continuance of one party domi-
nation In this State, and strives by
every device known To party organi-
zation TO force the people To vote TO
| continue that control. regardless OF
| their convictions or their duty to tho
| State.
The Republican Party Is opposed to
| on" party domination. whether II he
/ Democratic or Republican. It's plat
| form declares for two vigorous par
ties. promoting free discussion and
giving to the people effective agencies
through which changes Of party may
| he accomplished and bctrayals Of
| trust punished"
| DO you want free and efficient gov
crnmcnt In Virginia? DO YOU want
! 10 restore the position OF this state
! in national affairs? Then vote with
| us on this issue.
Rrvisiou of the Constitution.
Much of the evil IN existing condi-
| tions In Virginia liz directly due TO tho
present Constitution. which il one OF
the most vicious products OF Demo-
| cratic Encouragement.
The Norfolk platform demands a
complete revision OF that Constitu-
ton. Il reorganization OF State and
! local governments on just efficient
| and economical lines.
The Convention Of 1907. which
| framed the present Constitution. WAS
| the result of the third effort to in
duce tho people Of Virginia to agree
| to revision of their fundamental
law, The proposal was defeated In
| 1855 by vote OF twenty 20 one. 1t
| was again submitted in 1897 and de-
fcated by more than two TO one.
| Finally. in 1900 the Democratic State
| Convention endorsed the proposal
with solemn pledge TO the people
| that IL they authorized convention
| the revised Constitution would he
! submitted to The people for ratitica-
| ton or rejection. ON the faith of
| that pledge the people voted for tho
| convention.
The act OF the General Assembly
| for the calling OF the convention and
the election OF members thereof. ok
| prcssly provided In It's preamble for
! submitting the revised and amended
| Constitution To the people Of the
! State of Virginia for ratification or
! rejection" The convention was over
| whelmingly controlled by the Demo
ugss f...-
| year It evolved an entirely new Con-
| stitution, which was in effect code.
| regulating in minute detail every
| phase OF our political and economic
| life. Then. In violation Of the solemn
| pledges to which have referred. that
| convention by vote of 81 to rs pro-
| claimed the Constitution without sub
hitting II to the people. II then re-
| ouircd that not later than tho goth
day OF July. 1902, every officer OF this
| State. expressly including tn" judges
| who were tn pass upon the validity OF
| these acts. should take an oath to
support the Constitution as pro-
| claimed. or their offices should be
vacant. Thus. by the mandate OF
! forty-srven men in violation OF the
! pledges upon the faith OF which the
| convention was called. revolution
| was achieved in Virginia more com
pletc than any ever staged in Mexico.
| and the convention itself adjudicnt"d
! the validity OF its own revolutionary
J acts.
| shall endcavor TO make clear TO
/ you in tho discussion OF other pianks
| I'm this platform dealing with special
! provisions of the Constitution. the ur-
| gent necessity for the revision Of this
! instrument. This Constitution Is
founded upon the principle OF rcpres-
sion; il encourages fraud; it denies
| every principle Of popular freedom;
| II creates a cumbersome and cNpcn-
| siv" government. which for twenty
| years has stined the political and
| economic life OF this State. w" in
| sist that the time has now come TO
| remove this ubiquitous thing from the
! life Of Virginia. We demand e re-
! visca Constitution which Will give us
| Il simple and efficient government
founded upon faith in the people and
their right to rule themselves: and
| that this revised Constitution be-
| submitted to the people for ratifiCa-
f., ton or rejection. The Democratic
| organization WHICH fastened this
thing on Virginia through Il cynical
breach Of faith. naturally favors it's
continuance. for it is the chief in
| strumrnt by which the power OF that
| organization is maintained.
DO YOU want free and efficient gov
eminent in Virginia? II so. vote with
us on this issue.
Political Organization md Suffrage.
The first purpose OF government is
10 maintain the freedom of the pco-
pie and To provide for the free eX-
preston Of their will jefferson the
| rcputed father of the Democratic
Party th0ugh he would hardly rcccg-
niZc his child today. declared that
The Will Of the people is the only
legitimate foundation Of amy govern
mcnt. and 10 protect its free express
sion should he our first object"
What has been the effect of one party
management upon this essential of
free goy-'1mcnt in Virginia?
Under the Constitution and laws
which the Democratic machine have
fastened upon this State, the units of
political organization arc the coun-
ties and cities. but the people OF these
units have no part in the selection or
control over their political machin-
cry. This is in the hands of the
judges OF the Circuit and Corporation
courts, These judges are elected by
the Legislature for terms of eight
years. one fourth every two years.
l1..N - - H.