Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-02

who had, in their several capacities
served the State 20 the best OF theii
ability. Mr.. Wallace thought Major
STUDIOS had exactly stated the case. TIT
resolution was adopted.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
The Senate bin providing for submitting
to the people at the generals election
OF May 1899. the question of calling a
constitutional convention. was then
reached on the calendar.
Mr. Parker said he was In favor OF
convention, but he was opposed TO sub
hitting the question at the spring cleo
ton OF 1899. The influence OF the county
officers who were running in that contest
would tend to defeat the call for con-
vention. He thought special election
should be held to decide this question.
when the latter would be the only issue
He offered as a substitute a bill providing
that the question shall be submitted al
the next election for members of the
General Assembly.
DR.. Winston thought unless the ques-
ton was made party issue II would be
defeated, and II II was submitted at any
general election the Democratic party
would be In danger. II submitted at the
congressional election seven tenths of the
districts would "tremhle In the balance
If submitted at the spring election, the
government OF many of the counties
would be overturned: If submitted, as
proposed in the Parker substitute, the
Democratic party would be In luck IL
they had working majority in the Gene
raj Assembly next session. III the ques-
ton was to be submitted. he urged that
1t be at some special election.
Mr.. Stubs said he thought the reason
why the call for q constitutional conven-
ton was not made party issue before
was that the people desired to see what
relief the Legislature would afford, and
what action that body would take on the
subject. The national campaign had also
interfered with making the question a
party issue. He said make II party
question, and the Dispatch, that was al
ways ready 10 support the Democratic
pGrty and whatever WAS in the interest
OF that party would champion the call
Cor constitutional convention.
lust before the chair was vacated. Mr..
Hard arose. and i'm neat little speech
on behalf of the Finance Committee
presented the chairman of that body,
Mr.. Merritt Il. Cooke. of Norfolk, with
handsome gold-headed cane. Mr.. Cooke
responded gracefully and in quite hap
by vein.
The chair was then vacated until 4
O'Clock.
The Afternoon Session.
When the chair was resumed at
o'clock Mr.. Murphy of this city, offered
a resolution providing that after o'clock
that evening there should not be consid-
cred any bill to which there was objec-
ton, except the appropriation bill, bills
affecting the State revenues, bills con-
corning a constitutional convention, or
constitutional amendments. or bills en-
tlrely local, and the soldiers pension
bill.
Mr.. Maupin, of Henrico objected TO
the resolution, which, he said. was only
intended to choke off Senate Bill No. 40
prohibiting gambling and pool-selling
which had but recently come over from
the Senate.
Mr.. Murphy refuted the idea Of having
any such intention. and the resolution
was defeated.
The bill in regard to the calling of a
constitutional convention came up as I'M
finished business. Mr.. Winborne said
the Legislature had curtailed the public
expenses as much as could be done UNI
Ger the present Constitution. The hold
ing of a constitutional convention was
certainly necessary to devise some means
TO make both ends meet. II nothing was
done TO meet the present emergency, the
Democratic party would lose from Its
ranks a great many who had the inter-
ests of the State at heart. He had heard
from time to time that people who were
pleased with the natural resources OF
Virginia had been deferred from invest
ing capital In this Commonwealth by
the expensive system of State govern
ment II was about time to cut or
some of the useless offices and adopt
more modern system of government.
The only difficulty was, in his opinion,
as to the time when the convention
should be held. He was In favor OF hold'
ing it this fall. but the time would be
too short TO prepare for IT, AT the spring
election Of 1899 many candidates for
and county offices would be
in the field. who would not be in favor
of a convention that would be directly
against their interests. To hold spe-
cial election for that purpose would
simply mean TO let the question go by
hut he could see no reason why the
question should not be submitted to the
people in the fall of 1899, when no gene
raj election would have to be held, and
only members of the General Assembly
would come up for election 1t seemed
To him. therefore, to be the best to Sc
lect the fall election Of 1899 to have the
question decided by the people.
When asked by Mr. Minter, the speaker
replied that the judicial system needed
the judges and Common
wealth's attorneys cost Virginia 100000
annually. while in Georgia the expenses
were only $4,000.
Mr.. Minter thought that inasmuch as
the LEGISLATURE had just refused to cut
down the judicial system by abolishing
one of the judicial circuits, he did not
believe that the delegates to such q
who would be elected by the
same people as the members OF the Gene
raj Assembly would feel inclined to cur
tail the judicial system.
LET THE PEOPLE SAY.
Captain Parks was in favor of a con-
stltutional convention. He thought II
the proper interest had been taken In
the matter when the question was last
submitted, the result would have been
different. The vote in his county had
been In favor of a constitutional con-
yention, because the people had been
educa-ed as 10 the need Of one. What |
would the members do when they went
back TO the people? They could only
say that "the knife had been applied"
but the relief afforded was not sufficient.
They would have to acknowledge this,
but would be compelled to admit that |
another means had been offered them,
which they failed to take advantage OF. |
Therefore. he thought there was only |
one thing TO do. and this was to submit |
to the people the question" Of calling a |
convention.
THE BILL Is PASSED.
The pending question was then called,
which was on Mr.. Parkers amendment |