The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-01-30

others who attend the sessions OF the con-
vention more or less regularly are also
discussing the proceedings.
One of the members Of the House said
to-day that there was possibility that
resolution would be introduced in tho
House defining the sentiment Of that be- =
ii the convention continued to lcgislhte
instead of formulate. 1t is hardly be-
lieved though that the matter will as
sumo such phase.
WHAT THE LEGISLATORS WANT.
Thursdays session, at which the re-
port of the Committee on the Legislature
was first considered, attracted number
of members of the General Assembly
and others to the convention hall. This
report as it stands after adjournment at
2 o'clock to-day limits the sessions Of the
Legislature to 80 days. 1t is now intended
to regulate the pay of the members
through tho Constitution, which the
Legislators claim is an unwarranted as
sumption of authority on the part of tho
convention.
The pending amendment in this regard
says that "the members Of the General AS
sembly shall receive as compensation for
their services n per diem allowance which
shall be prescribed by law, not to exceed
the sum of S." The objection to this is
on principle because the present pay OF
members of the General Assembly is but
50 per day.
HINTS ABOUT LOBBYISTS.
One of tho members of the convention
(Mr. Burris of New Castle), when he
last amendment was under discussion,
became quite eloquent in his remarks,
and incidentally paid his respects to the
lobbyists, whose efforts to corrupt the
members, he said, were in many instances
succ eSsful, from the fact that it was i'm"
possible for member to board and m aim
tain himself on S3por day.
THE LOCAL OPTION MATTER.
Ono of the subjects which will soon
receive the attention of the convention is
that of local option. The advocates OF
temperance will appear before tho special
committee on the manufacture and talo
Of Intoxicating liquors" on Monday,
February 3, and the represen atives OF the
opposition later. The committee Is com.
posed Of Mcssrs. Elegood Canton, Hor-
sey, Hernig, Carlisle, Pratt Richards,
Snpp, Donahoe, Burris, Harman and
Moore.
This matter of lobbying objcc ionable
bills through the General Assembly can
possibly be carried on more successfully
in Dolawate than in any other State,
owing to the fact that there are buJ 30
members in both branches. An bills on
third vote. But if it is discovered that
The opposition is strong enough to pre-
vent the passage of measure, it is very
easy matter TO introduce IL Joint resulu-
Iion' covering the case, which requires
only u majority vote, and which means
all the members being present, II votes
in the House and iivcin the Senate.
When originally selecled only the first
six were named, but from time to time
hllU
now the original number has been doubl-
ed. Ex-Speaker Of the Senate John z.
Donahoc,. of Wilmington. who is a mem
ber of the committee, is looking after tho
interests of the liquor men, and the
probability is that nothing radical will be
attempted by the convention.
woMAN's SUFFRAGE.
The petitions, memorials, etc. sent to
each member of the convention early in
the week by the Anti Womnn's Suffrage
Association of New York, has aroused he
Sutfragsts throughout the State. Rep
resentatives of the latter have alread y
been given an opportunity TO address tho
convention on the subject, and it is not
likely, judging from the expressions of
the members, that they will be again al.
lowed to occupy more of the conventions
time, although there is movement on
foot ut present among the advocates of
woman'5 suffrage to petition the members
individually for another hearing.
The suffrage proposition when it is re.
ported from the committee, Is not likely
TO have moro than four adv Jcates at the
mot.
THE QUESTION OF FREE PASSES
With barely quorum p:osent the Con.
stitutonal Convention to-day as a Com
mittec of tho Whole adopted tho report
of the Committee on the Legislature with
one amendment
This provides that the members of the
Legislature shall receive IS per day for a
session not exceeding 80 days. The pre-
siding officers of each house are to be al.
lowed Il IL day each.
An attempt to have the section adopted
yesterday prohibiting ''all forms of gam.
bling amended to define tho forms Of
gambling failed BY II vote of II to7 Mr..
Bradford declaring that the General As.
sembly could define tho forms Of gambling
Mr.. DOnahOc brought up he subject Of
the members of the Legislature receiving
free passes from the railrnad companies,
and said that it would be well to insert
prohtbitory provision in the Constitution
Mr. Bradford redlied that this would be
attended to in another report of the com,
mttee. Most of the members seemed to
favor Mr. Donnhoa's suggestion.
Mr. Burrs thought the companies be-
cause of the valuable franchises they en-.
joycd should be compelled to furnish free
transportation to the State officials, and
1t should not be matter of courtesy.