Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-12-07
Especial to virglnlan-Pllot.l


both of them were very seriously
burned. Mrs. Dollard opened the door
of stove to put in some coal A
sudden draught from the door caused
the flames to shoot out, her dress ignit-
ing.
She was soon a sheet of flames. Her
daughter seized some bedclothing and
ran to her assistance. She succeeded
in eXtinguishing the fire. but only after
both had been burned, Mrs. Dollard
very seriously.
BASIS OF EXPERIMENTATION
a prominent Richmond Democrat has
suggested an entirely new plan for the
basis OF representation in the constitu-
tional convention. 1t is to have the
body composed Of ninety-nine mem
bors. distributed as follows: Two from
each Senatorial district, or two dele
gates for each State Senator which
would make eighty; then one from each
Congressional district and nine from
the State at large. making Il total of
ninety-nine members. The object for
having nine delegates at large, instead
OF ten, is. says the Richmond leader TO
prevent their distribution among the
Congressional districts and to guaran-
tee the election of some men OF State
reputation.
lie suggests the name of such men as
man w. y. Jones, Judges Keith and
buchanan and General Rufus A. Ayres
as good men for delegates ut large and
says he believes his plan will insure the
selection OF n high class Of men to
frame the new organic law for the
State.
THE GuBERNAToRIAL RACE.
Among the food OF political matters
that will crowd themselves upon the
neOnlH I'm
months. the great gubcrnatorial race
is not going TO be the least interest
ing.
The emphatic announcement OF the
candidacy OF Congressman Claude ~
swanson. coupled with the declaration
that his friends are already nj work
throushout the State in his interest,
has given new life to the battle Just
now fairly opening up. and evidences
OF the other aspirants are apparent on
every hand.
No grass is being allowed to grow
under the feet of Mir. Eliyson's friends
In this city. While Attorney General
Montague expresses himself as being
delighted with his chances of success.
The demands made upon Mr. AIonta-
que from all sections of the State in the
last campaign were Indicative of his
splendid popularity, and he is daily
in receipt of the warmest assurances
OF support from his friends.
CONVENTION CHAT.
1t Is the opinion of many who are in
position to judge that upon the CON
VeninE of the caucus OF the extra scs-
sion OF the General Assemble Senator
IL. ID. Flood, OF Appomattox. will,
after the officers TO he elected have.
been chosen, outline n plan of action
for the session on the constitutional
convention.
MIR. Flood is known 10 favor 100
members for the body. and he has also
expressed himself as favorng the eiec-
ton OF the delegates on the fourth
Thursday in May and the converting
Of that body early in June.
a large number of members have OK
pressed themselves as favoring this
course, and it looks as If ii will be
adopted.
Another thing which seems practi
ca!ly settled is that the extra session
viii. after disposing of the convention
matter, take up other Legislation and
remain here until the session expires
by limitation.
The question Of a better pension law
Is one that is almost certain to come
up, as the one passed by the regular
session is very unsatisfactory mea-
sure to all parties concerned
NEW PENSION LAW.
lt is pretty generally believed that
If the legislature ut the extra session
shall take up general Legislation. one
OF the first subjects to be tackled win
be the pension law.
The Parks bill has not given salts
faction. 1t is said to be defective i'm
very many respects. Virginia now
pays out annually to Confederate yet
Grams about $4,000. This includes the
appropriation to the Soldiers Home. 1t
Is claimed that under the present sVs-
sionS y member OF the house said to-
DAY he had heard of three men who
dwelt in n cave after the passage Of the
conscript act. drawing pensions as
Confederate veterans.
COST OF EXTRA SESSION.
a rough estimate of the cost 10 the
state by the extra session of the leg
islature for the constitutional conven-
tion is s25O.0OO. The convention viii
fix the pay of its members, which will
probably be SO per day. IF the con-
vention shall be composed of 100 mem
bers the cost to the commonwealth viii
be $1,000 a day.
AMELlE RIVES IMPROVING.
A letter received by relative of
Amclc Rives in this city from Prince
Trouhetzkoy last night says the
Princess is rapidly improving. ana ex-
presses the hope that she will soon be
able to'resume her literary work.
Princess Troubetzkoy has nearly com
pleted a volume Of poems. which she
has been at work upon for years The
book will probably he published in Lon
don.
Nothing has been heard here as 10
the whereabouts OF Mr. John Arm
strong Chanler, Amelie Rives' first hus-
band, who escaped from Bloomngdale
asylum several days ago. His friends
here believe he is suffering from men