The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-11-16
from the city prevented the presence OF
James {. Carter. Wheeler II. Peckham
and f. r. Colldprt

from the city prevented the presence OF
James 4. carter, Wheeler H. Peckham
and +. Il. Coudert.
Governor Flower told his guests that
his attention had been called by reputa-
BILE lawyers to the apparent omission by
the Constitutional Convention TO make
provision for a continuance OF Legisla-
ture OF thtrty-two senator's and l2S mem
bers after January LIST next, the time at
which the new constitution, providing
for a Legislature OF nifty senators and
$50 assemblymen is TO take effect. that
the claim had been made 10 him that
because of this omission there could be
no constitutional legislative body until
after the election OF l5O assemblymen
and nifty senator's In pursuance wlth the
provisions OF the revised Constitution.
THE GOvEaNOA's COS, LUs.os.
The Governor continued: while at
first | was inclined not to regard the ques-
uon seriously, / looked caretuiiy at the
arguments presented and came 10 the
conclusion that they at least deserved
consideration by able lawyers. Vas
the more impelled to this conclusion by
the fact which was pointed out to me
that practically the only answer mace
by Messrs. Choate and Root, OF the Con-
StituuOndl Convention, to the CRITICISM
urged, was that the new Constitution
merely Followed the language of the
Constitutions OF 1916 and 1871. In those
statements those gentlemen We're wrong,
as any DOuJ can see Dg NOilpdl bht
three Constitutions Whether there are
more substantial reasons than those
urged by Messrs. Choate and Root re-
mains 10 be seen. Because there is
doubt in the matter | have invited you
here to seek your advice.
NO PoLITI, sINIr.
"I want TO say at the outset, however,
that so far as | am concerned the queS-
ton of partizanship or politics IS not OF
the slightest consideration in the discus
sion Of this matter. Personally ana
politically, / have no wish TO crafty by
any disposition which may be MADE oi
this subject Officially, however, | have
a duty to perform If, IN the Judgment
of distinguished lawyers like yourselves,
there would be grave doubt about the
validity Of the acts or the LeglslatuIe .,
after the first day of January next then
the question presents itself as TO my
duty in calling the present Legislature
together In extraordinary session before
January LIST, 50 that the necessary leg
iriation for the ensuing year may he
enacted by a constitutional Legislature.
Il want you to give this subject your
careful attention, and l want your best
judgment on II.
The question was then discussed In all
its phases Ii was unanimously agreed
that Messrs. ChOate and Root were In
error when they stated that the conStl-
tuition OF 1916 was precedent omission
OF the new constitution to provide for
continuance of the thirty-two senator's
and one hundred and twenty-eight as
semblymen in Office as the Legislature OF
the year 1885, as the express saving
clauses Of the constitutions OF 1916 ana
1921 were specifically pointed out. But
on a thorough canvass of the arguments
pro and con, It was also agreed, WIN
substantial unanimity, that any doubts
as TO the validity OF the acts or Such
LEGISLATURE during the year 1895 did not
present a sufficiently grave emergency
TO Justify imposing on the people or the
State the burden and expense of an extra
session Of the present Legislature before
1t91