Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-29
FOR THE CONVENTION
The Senate in Favor Of One 10 Amend
the Constitution.
THE ELECTION BILLS DISCUSSED.
Many Speeches Made, hut No Action
Taken ms Yct-The Measure for the
SHERIFF. BencGt Is Adopted by the
Upper Branch.

MIR Withers gained a mighty victory
In the Senate yesterday, and mace 'he
hest spsech heard in the upper branch
Of the Legislature at this session. Inc
argument on the bill providing for sub
hitting TO a vote of the people the ques-
ton Of calling constitutional cohNe"-
ton was closed by him In fearless anu
ringing speech, and when he took MS seat
there was long and continued applause
from both those in favor of and opposed 10
the proposition At the afternoon SESSION
the bin was ordered TO its ensrossment
by a vote of p TO T.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
When the special order, the considera-
tion of the Constitutional Convention
bill was called. Mr.. Wickham TOOK the
floor He said the question which con-
fronted the Senate was grave one ana
the body should weigh well whether TINS
was the time to approach such an import
nm, issue 'If this General Assembly
makes a mistake" said he, generations
unborn now will rue that such men as
we ever occupied this chamber at THIS
time. Therefore. Mr.. President, In APP
oroaching the consideration Of this ques-
lion. we should do so with a fun sense OF
the solemn responsibility which rests
upon us when we cast our vote upon TINS
nll-important subject" Mr.. Wickham
said as far as the expenses OF the State
were concerned the officers of the Com
,nonwealth received meagre enough sala-
ries at present. He said II Mr.. winners
succeeded in having the bill passed ne
would probably be the, central nsure III
The grand procession" ana the senator
from Danvilie would be entitled 10 that
position. but Mr.. Wickham thougnt the
people were not going TO that gentleman
and his followers with any such move
ment They did not want a CONSTITUTION,
nj convention at this time, he sald' anu
thought that the position taken by nlosi
OF the members Of the two podles proven
Mr.. Withers in reply to Mr.. Wickham
eaid that ne was not afraid OF the people
He said that his constituents knew the
position he took on the subject two years
ago in the House, and he canVassed ms
district when running for the senate
upon the issue Of a constItutl odai, inc con,
central postion in the grand process
son.~ He said his section desired
change in the Constitution and they were
going TO have 1t If they had 10 pass over
the dead bodies Of decaptated once
, holders. "a. >. have o vote
taken upon the measure nut ths hV ,1,,,, or
O'Clock having arrived. the BODY uhoeI
the rule adopted. adjourned until 4:5V'
AFTERNOON SESSION.
A resolution was offered in the morning
hour by Mr.. Sands, and adopted after
considerable discussion pr93D ol ana th ra
sumed at 4:S0 for the Consideration OF an
bills both public and private: Mr. Llttle
made an attempt 10 amend the Dill , 80 az
10 read "to consider bills concerning
which there Is no dispute.
The matter was argued at lengtn, ana
St Sas stated that the calendar was
among them the Maupin and Hundley
hills. which should be considered at once
THE SHERIFFS BILL.
Mr.. BoykIn asked that the bill repeal
ing the law recently passed providing
that the Superintendent OF tne f sns,ead
flary send guards for prisoners, instead
of their being brought TO that lnstltuuon
by sheriffs, as heretofore, be taken UP
and passed. .- oo,, IN
favor OF his motion, saying that he pc
lieved the Senate had voted TO pass TINS
bin under a misapprehenson, ana be
Judgment of the Committee on Reduction
of Criminal Expenses, from when me
bin had emanated He thought me
sheriffs were an ill-paid class OF men !, ana
81 was but Justice TO allow them Sl0o
day and mileage to bring prisoners 10 the
penitentiary. He did not think II wouiu
be any great saving to the s'a,e 70 s1 ,nT
guards after prisoners as extra men
would have to be employed by the super
intendent for that purpose.
Mr.. Withers, of the committee on re
duction of Criminal Expenses, spoke Vlso-
rously in opposition to the motion, as
sorting that there was. according 10 the
Superintendent of the Penitentiaiy, an
enormous saving by cutting Oh od tle peI
guards had to be employed. The Senate
agreed to take up the bills out OF thelr
order by vote of "a to Z, ana they were ere
made a special and continuing oIuer loi
400 o'clock in the afternoon.
CODIFY THE SCHOOL LAWS.
The following joint resolution was pre-
scented by the Committee on PUBIC In,
situations and Education, ana adopted
under suspension of the rules:
Resolved by the Senate of Virginia cine
House of Delegates concurring) Ihat the
Board OF Education Is requested 10 codliy
the laws OF Virginia relating 10 tne pun
lie free schools of the state, ana report
TO the next meeting OF the General AS
semby.
requested to submit TO the next session
Of the General Assembly such recon-
mendations as they may think proper for
the repeal. modification, or re-enactment
of laws relating 10 this subject. .
A resolution was offered by Mr.. keeZell.
and agreed to. appointing Philip ".
Pugh. of Rockingham. a member OF the
Electoral Board of that county wee Dr.
William #. Jennings. deceased,
Mr. Tredway offered a resolution, which
went over until to-day, proyitlag that
the senate dulOufn 4Vl ttlc tNtti Sii tiiS
9th day OF March at u o'clock.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
Mr.. Lowry introduced oil TO a. thorlze
the Council of Bedford City 70 make
donation TO the State OF Virginia, TO
locate at that place an institution for the
deaf dumb. or blind.
BY Mr. Mason: To compensate schcoi
trustees. other than clerks, In Westmore-
land county.
BY Mr.. Kane: To amend an act
changing the name OF East Big Stone
Gap. Wise county. 10 East Stone Gap.
BY Mr.. Southall: For the "ellef Of 7.
J. Llppord. a disabled Confederate SOL
der of Cumberland county.
Mr.. Brown presented a petition from
the citizens OF Nelson county with regard
10 the mode of selecting teachers for
the public free schools in that county.
SENATE BILLS PASSED.
To amend the charter OF the John G.
Hurkamp Company, OF Fred ,iicksbu-g.
For the relief OF Il. r. Sears.
FAVOR THE CONVENTION.
At the afternoon session the vote upon
the engrossment OF the constitutional
Convention bill" was taken. and was re-
corded as follows:
Ayes-Messrs. Barnes. Boykin. Brown,