Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-02


ine' and though those who stood higheat
lau 'n"uenuai friends TO back them, and
~vulu make "A hard and probably success
au' nght TO Keep their salaries intact he
Woule continue TO fight for reduction
mr. heezell closed with a very strong sum-
ming up, presenting his arguments in the
manner whose force has become so well
known TO senators and visitors TO the
chamber. ~ '"'
FLANAGAN OPPOSED TT.
Mr.. Flanagan followed Mr.. Keezell In
advocacy Of the bill He said IL required
an OF tne manhood he had 20 speak for
the abolition OF the circuit. since a brother
senator whom he loved had been nom-
mated TO preside over II, but II was his
uu'y 10 take advantage OF plain method
OF saving the State the expense OF the
circuit. lie warned the majority that
II would find It difficult to explain to the
people the vote 10 continue the circuit.
when retrenchment demanded that II be
aooiished. He read from an editorial OF
the Dispatch OF Sunday warning the Legis,
iature that II was not fulfilling It's
pledges, and eloquently closed with a plea
for retrenchment.
AT the conclusion Of Mr.. Flanagans
speech Mr.. Flood moved the pending
question. and the vote was almost unani-
nous for the bill.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
At 100 O'Clock the Senate took up the
special order, the consideration Of Senate
Bill No. 292. providing for submitting TO
the qualified voters OF the State the ques-
ton OF a constitutional convention. Mr.
| Withers. the patron of the bill spoke at
some length in it's support. He said he
appeared for the third. and probably the
last time, upon the floor of the Senate
as an advocate of a constitutional conven-
| ton. He posed not as a reformer, he
had no admiration for men of the Park
hurst type, but he was convinced that
when the people refused to have consti-
tutional convention they did not fully
realize what they were doing. and ne be-
lieved they were willing to reconsider
| their action.
The brilliant Danville Senator devoted
a large part of his speech to reading an
article printed year or two ago, in
which he gave the facts and figures in
support Of his plea for the convention. In
this paper a comparison was drawn be-
tween the expenditures Of Virginia and
| North Carolina.
THEIR HANDS ARE TIED.
Mr.. Withers said that it was impossi-
BILE for the Legislature TO effect sufficient
retrenchment with the present Constitu-
ton. He said he would not pay any at
tention TO the criticisms of a newspaper
charging the Legislature with doing no
thing, where it had opposed to the best
of its ability his proposition for con-
veution TO revise the Constitution. He
concluded with an eloquent declaration
that he did not believe there was danger
the patriotic people of Virginia would
send to Richmond to revise their Con-
xvbn realize
their high responsibility and endeavor TO
discharge it honestly for the good OF the
whole people.
OPPOSED BY MCUNE.
Mr.. McCune followed in opposition to
the bill. He said he had often heard the
song of the Senator from Danville, the
constant refrain of which was "constl-
tutional convention" He felt assured the
people did not want a change in the
Constitution: their wish had been une-
ouivocally expressed at the polls. lie
criticised the Legislature for doing no
thing for retrenchment, ana pieuseu
that the minority would be with the ma
iority in every honest effort In TINS oil
rection.
MOTION MADE TO POSTPONE.
Mr.. Wickham moved to postpone con-
sideration of the bill until FEBRUARY
10Th. But speaking in reply 10 MI
Withers, Mr.. Wickhom said IL was WI
wise 10 do as the Senator had sussest
ed. Law down the burden like stuDpori
steers throw UP the work of retrench
mont with a whole legislative month De
fore them. declare TO the people ina
thev could not or would not, 90 I'M
hing they had been told TO do lie uh
derstood that several bills were soon -
he submitted proposing great retrencn
mont in State expenditures, there were
now pending in the Senate ana hous'
measures aimed TO accomplish srea
things in this direction. Would Inc oena''
of Virginia deliberately vote 10 20 mn MN
without even considering these plils-
hroad hills strong bills-drawn with al
tho skill that skilled men could brlng U
. tho work. men actuated by the loities
,atriotisn. and Warmest love Tor VIZ
ginia? .,. s,a m, uan
The people had said they ala not wan
oo,e+it1tional convention; That ther'
we're many other matters TO which me
vented attention given. The irancnis
is the great question at the potloiii "a
constitutional convention Inc hrst t"i,'
an iuiterate man thought OF Wnen ~
heord Of a constitutional convention wa
~ ,,oss,hilitv of having his vote takel
from him. and he voted against It, Doe
tba majority want it all? Were not III
Senate and House unanimous!
He thought it impossible to get INTO
oonstitutionol convention men superb
IN those who composed the General ~
sembly. and that the same motives "ii III,
,nfuenced legislators would influence con
etitution-nakers. He did not think IN
cote I'm such a bad way he thought
= The state could save s6O,WO. Tor III
newt two years, and keep approprla'ion
I ao,vn 70 what they are, this LeglsiatuI
s,,o,ld have done enough. lie thousn
oortain small sums could be wilhhel
a frono nubIic institutions without linpai,
$ iae their efficiency, that the PARKS pi
l no Greatly increase the revenue, an
that the Turnbull bills would also "o0o"'
3 nIish much in the same directoh'
: EXTRA SESSION IN 1900
~ ,,atter what the Legislature of &c
6 "a n would have 10 be undone J
I uSS 1 Snr q was known that there woulC
~ ere as fate, be an extra session .
: a. assembly in that year, the year
-,-,oh there would be a reassessihehI
,aade He was friend OF the poor ma Ia,
sai'p ma voted for the bill abolishing WI
nc no. foos in justices courts oecaus
,'ess ,.orted TO get a blow at the proie'
sional buns and deaopea'S'
o ahout county grog-shops; ...,oo, :,
He wanted to say 10 tne 1900 VIII
s,de the Legislature, ana ou's'u .s,,,,,,.
hsd aspirations for congfessiViiai 20 ras
TINS that they had small nope VI ~ 81
,ss,ag them II they drove I'm -
aarty the illterate class whlSn We