Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-21
SHOULD BE REVISED.
NJ. Wiiherss Earnest Plea Tor a Con-
ysDliOG 10 R draft Our Constitution.
He H. Cord ally Received ana Makes
a short Naarcs. In Each House
The pland oystcr-survey 3iii De-
fcated-other business.


The only feature IN the proceedings Of
the Senate yesterday was Mr. Wltncls 8
speech. In favor Of bis b.l proviiing ioi
submitting 10 the poop.e at the next NAY
+. elccLCn the question Of calling consh'"-
tlonal coayi u,oa The measure was ns'
voted upon. aud Its further consideration
was postponed until Tuesday.
When thc bill was taken up Mr.. WICK
ham M le motion that the special ordef
be postponed uniii Tuesday, saying tha'
he thought the body shou d see how the
elections matter was going 10 stond De-
fore taking up this mot important qles'
ton. ks motion was defeated by vote
Of Is 10 IS
Dir. withers then took the floor and
made splendid speech in favor Of ms
measure. lie said the income of the STATE
F, now barely paid her expenses. and that
an Increase In taxation was staring US
In the face. And n II came 10 that, SAID
the speaker II meant an irish wake or
political funeral He said that he had de-
voted some time 10 the study OF the IN
( wood Constitution. and II seemed to
h>to have been framed for the purpose
OF reatng places for office-seckers ana
keeping a political party in power. lie
said no one could acquaint himself with
the facts and defend the State Constitu-
ton OF Virginia.
COMPARED WITH OTHER STATES.
Mr.. wiihers compared the expenses OF
Virginia with the combined expenses OF
the States OF North Carolina. and Geor-
n -
wsalths contain three times the area
and twice the population and wealth OF
the State Of Virginia, vet the expenses
OF both OF them combined were only one
third more than those Of this State.
The juC iary system OF Virginia cost
$1,000 mo- than that Of North Carolina.
In this : ate. he said. there were 127
judges. prosecuting attorneys, 1i5
clerks. commissioners Of the revenue
1is sherMs. lI9 treasurers. IFS supern-
tendents 200 county surgeons. 900 magls-
terial district officers. in all 3,64e officers.
II desire TO call attention TO this
'Ffact" continued the speaker. that the
a State OF Vii ginia is rapidly getting 10 that
point that will necessitate an increase ia
taxation"
ABSURD AND COSTLY FEATURES.
Mr.. Withers. In concluding his speech,
said: "Cal a constitutional convention
and let them give us a Constitution
shorn OF absurd and costly features, a
Constitution that will give us an efficient,
competent, and economical State govern
ment. by abolishing all unnecessary Offices
and officials, such as commissioners OF
the revenue, city and county treasurers.
except in a few OF the larger cities and
countless abolish the entire county-court
system With its judges, clerks. and prose-
cutting attorneys: force the State nstitu-
lions 10 live upon an economical basis;
make every officia In the State report
fis salary. fees. commissions. AMI allow
ances once every year to III proper Off
cial at Richmond; compel the State and
county officials TO make public exhibits OF
every cent received and expended abolish
all spring elections, except once in four
years; elect the Governor with the Presi-
dent and members OF the Legislature
with members tf Congress- let the judges
and al State officials be elected by the
people, and stop subjecting our judiciary
TO an election by the Legislature. In fine
reduce every possible item of expense;
do away with every unnecessary election,
and remove every useless official, and give
us an intelligent efficient, enlightened,
| and economical government"
| Mr.. Morris then made a motion that
/ the further consideration of the special
order be postponed until Tuesday, which
I was adopted.
MAJOR DANIELS RECEPTION.
Senator Daniel being upon the floor the
(, Chair was then vacated fifteen minutes
as a mark of respect to him, and in order
1 20 give him an opportunity to become ac-
/ quainted with the members. The distin-
4 'guished Senator was then introduced TO
/ the body by Mr.. Lovenstein, the Presi-
dent pro tenn. and in a few remarks ex-
4 pressed his appreciation Of the courtesy
4 extended him, and his pleasure at meeting
1 the lawmakers of his State.
THE APPROPRIATION BILL.
| The Finance Committee submitted the
| appropriation bill. all the items in which
/ are the same as usual, with the exception
l that 500 instead of $4,000. is allowed
| TO the University Of Virginia and appro-
4 priation is made for the salaries Of the
employees at the State Library, which are
1 as follows:
4 Janitor and doorkeeper. 1880 %
I Janitor at library offices. $50 90
Conductor OF elevator.................. $50 Oh
Fireman .............. .................. 90 "
Policeman ............ .................. iD VI
The appropriation bill was made the spc-
eial order for Monday at ! o'clock.
THE BILLS ARE DEFEATED.
When the bill TO amend section 1923 of
J, the Code, In relation To fees of Common
wealth's attorneys. was reached on the
calendar. Mr.. Boykin, who had been abb
sent when the bill was engrossed on Tues
day. made an effort to have the vote by
j which II was engrossed reconsidered, stat
ing that he was opposed 10 the great re.
duction made in certain instances Dy the
measure. The Senate refused TO recon
slider the vote. and the bill was then de-
feated, falling to secure constitutional
vote.
Mr. Lovenstein made u strong effort 70
get his bin through increasing the salary
OF the Judge OF the Law and Equity
u Court of the city OF Richmond. The mea-
sure simply provided that his compensa-
ton should be made equal 20 that re-
ceiyed BY judges OF other similar courts
IA Upon recorded vote. however. the bill
was defeated.
AMERICAN ANNUITY ORDER.
Mr.. Sands offered a bill TO incorporate
Che American Annuity Order OF Rich
mond. The corpoTators named are 7.
William PembeftQn. J. ". CUllingwoTth
George Ross, Thomas N. Carter. and
= Jackson Brandt. and the objects OF the
naily all white persons Of sound bodily
health and good moral character between
& the ages OF Is and G5 years
+ 20 give material aid 70 its members anc
to their families; 70 establish funds fol
the relief OF sick and distressed members
and 20 establish bcnefft funds from which
the members OF said order who shall
have complied with all the rules and re