This is a published version of the speech that Governor Mills Edwin Godwin Jr. gave in January 1968 proposing that the General Assembly revise the state’s constitution and submit a new document to the voters for ratification. Rather than summoning a constitutional convention, he argued that the legislators should authorize him to appoint a Commission on Constitutional Revision, who would revise the constitution. In November 1970, voters ratified the new constitution.
In this article, dated May 29, 1891, the Roanoke Times follows up on a controversy regarding the Roanoke Weekly Press, Roanoke’s first black newspaper, which ensued when a correspondent criticized and ridiculed the area’s colored pastors. The Roanoke Weekly Press is mentioned as having a subscription cost of $1.50.
This notice in the Roanoke Times (March 29, 1892) is the last mention of the Roanoke Weekly Press, Roanoke’s first black newspaper. It likely ceased operations soon after the publication of this notice.
In this article from the May 24, 1891 issue, the Roanoke Times describes the troubles encountered by the Roanoke Weekly Press, Roanoke’s first black newspaper, when a correspondent criticized and ridiculed the area’s colored pastors. (A more lengthy discussion of the problem is published five days later.) The article also mentions that the paper had attracted white advertisers, an remarkable feat given the strained racial climate of the day.
This obituary for John H. Davis, a wealthy African American businessman, philanthropist, Republican political activist, and founder of the Roanoke Weekly Press, Roanokeꞌs first black newspaper, appeared in the Roanoke Daily Times (July 21, 1896).
This short article from the Roanoke Times (March 10, 1891) describes an incident in which someone dropped off several issues of the Roanoke Weekly Press, Roanokeꞌs first black newspaper, at police headquarters. This act was a response to a police campaign against black “vagrants” and African American saloons and eating-houses in Gainsboro, which resulted in numerous arrests as well as accusations of police brutality from black residents.
In "Peace and Quiet," published on September 22, 1893, the Roanoke Times reports on the lynching of Thomas Smith, an African American man accused of assaulting and robbing a white woman. During the assault on the jail, authorities fired on the mob, killing seven white men.
In “Viewed by a Thousand People,” the Roanoke Times reports on the aftermath of the lynching of Will Lavender, an African American man accused of assaulting a twelve-year-old white girl.
In "Judge Lynch!," published on February 12, 1892, the Roanoke Times reports on the lynching of Will Lavender, an African American man accused of assaulting a twelve-year-old white girl. The day before the paper had named another suspect in the case.
In "The Police Force Wakes Up," published on February 11, 1892, the Roanoke Times names an African American suspect in the alleged assault on a twelve-year-old white girl. Another suspect was lynched a few days later.
