The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-25
CONSTITUTIONAL
CONVENTION.
Shall il be Held to Reduce the States
Expenses?
CONFERENCE HELD LAST EVENING
Democratic Members OF the General
Assembly Discussed the Question I'm
Detail. But Arrived at No
Definite Result.

and a few Democratic Senators met last
evening I'm the hall OF the House OF Dele
gates. pursuant to a call issued during
the day to consider the ACCESSIBILITY OF
holding a constitutional convention The
subject was thoroughly discussed. but no
definite result was reached.
Mr.. Winborne. Of Rockbridge, offered a
resolution providing that the people
should decide at the fall election whether
or not a convention shall be held, tut
no action was taken I'm regard TO the
matter. After "A thorough exchange OF
views It was agreed TO meet again to-
morrow evening.
Mr. Saunders in tho absence Of Chair
man Cooke. raped the caucus TO order
at SGD, and called Delegate Stubs TO the
chair. Upon taking the chair Mr.. Stuobs
asked Mr.. Saunders TO state the object
OF the conference. In doing So the latter
said there were now pending in the Courts
Committee Of the House proposition for
a constitutional convention, another sub
hitting TO popular vote an amendment
aboshing spring elections. and a third
providing for a commission TO prepare
amendments TO the Constitution. lie
the questions involving the various pro-
positions, and said that. upon tho whole,
il had seemed best 10 have an expression
from a joint conference OF the members
Of the two houses upon the subject and
the Courts Committee had asked that the
caucus be held.
4 FOOLS PARADISE.
1--WE are living in a FOOLS paradise
Is n . %
shut our eyes. There ia going to be
reduction I'm the assessment of lands In
virginia I'm 1899: this Is sure There was
a time when our real estate was assessed
above its market value in many instances.
There are many appalling instances
which have recently come 20 light. In
which it was assessed very far above It's
market value. The next assessment Is
certain 10 see the reduction Of assessed
values"
Mr. Saunders expressed some slight
criticism of the senators for not attend
ing the conference. there being compare
lively few present.
Mr.. Winborne followed Mr.. Saunders,
submitting the following resolutions,
which. however were not acted upon:
Resolved. That 1t Is the sense Of this
caucus that the most practicable way TO
meet the difficulties confronting the state
rs 10 adopt a resolution submitting 20
the people at the next fall election tho
question as 10 whether or not consti-
tutional convention shall be held.
. That an address 10 the people be
issued explaining the necessity Of this
course.
3. That such constitutional amendments
as may be deemed proper shall be adopt
ed by the present session of the General
Assembly.
VIEWS OF MEMBERS.
Mr.. Winborne opposed the proposition
Of "a constitutional commission in very
strong terms. saying that II would make
an extra session necessary, the expense OF
which, added 10 that of the commission
, itself would be greater than that Of "A
constitutional convention.
Delegate Anderson. OF Richmond. adj
vocated a convention, but he opposed the
conference adopting "A binding resolution,
In view Of the very small number OF
senators present. He thought II best 10
endeavOr 10 pass the constitutional con-
ventiOn bill now pending IN each house.
Let the House pass this bill" he said.
send II over TO the Senate and put
upon that body the onus Of passing or re-
| jecting IT,
Mr. Stubs advocated a convention.
Captain Parks said he had wanted a
! constitutional convention for ten years
and had voted for it at every opportunity
! lie believed many members Of the Legis-
! lature desired a convention, but did not
want 1t made a party measure. Unless
this be done" he said. unless we make
| the question Of constitutional revision a
I lrfx wa.
| favored the caucus not adopting a bind
! ing resolution; he wanted adjournment
taken, the members present TO do valiant
work FOR the constitutional convention
idea during the next day or two. and thus
get fun caucus. and make the proposi-
tion a party measure. In that way We
can have the Constitution revised" said
Mr.. Parks. "and in that alone The
Democratic party viii carry Virginia II
spite OF the world. tire flesh. and the
| devil"
Mr. Digs favored the holding Of a
! constitutional convention. and spoke
against the resolution presented by Mr.
WinbOrne, and discussed its provisions IL
detail. He inquired how much an extra
( session OF the General Assembly would
cost. and was informed by Mr.. Saunders
aboI. $4,000, and he was told Ly Mr.
| StuDDS that new constitution Woulc
bring about "A saving OF about half a mil
! lion.
Senator Wlthers said q modern en-
| lightened government in this state. sucf
! as would be possible under a Constitution
revised in the manner indicated by som'
Of the best minds in Virginia. would save
10 the state every year Sl.J00.Oo0.
FAILED 10 DO ITS DUTY.
Senator Barksdale said there was N
danger OF the constitutional convention
resolution failing in the Senate. 1t Il
not a new Constitution we need 80 ur
gently now" he continued. This Leg
islature has failed 70 do It's lury. u hai
not sufficiently reduced salaries.
not cut down expenses where II wa.
possible. II has not used the opportuni
ties IL had 10 give the people relief |
has not done the best IL could under
resolution which We all admit is baC
| one
Judge Watkins said n was evident tina
retrenchment and reform was as littl'
understood as any question that had eve
come before the people The member
had carefully considered these question:
! in the light before them. and the con
| clusion arrived at was n 4 the State wa
| laboring under Constitution which tie'
| their hands IL the members went befori