Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-11-21
EXTRA SESSION CALLED
Governor Tyler Fixes The Date
For January 23, 1904.

n
ton Saturday, calling the General
Assembly TO meet In extraordinary
slssion at noon, on Wednesday, Jan
usry 23, 1901.
Although Governor Tyler had de-
cilned to say upon what day he
would have the Legislature meet In
extra session, it had been known for
some time that January 23d would
be the date. There is more or less
general feeling that the session should
have begun earlier, but several per-
sons of this opinion have changed
their minds after comforting with
Governor Tyler. He wants the Leg
islsture to be In session for some days
after the adjournment of Congress,
on the 4th of March, so that If any
action is made necessary by reason of
Federal Legislation, it may be taken
at once.
The governor does not indicate in
specific terms what the extra session
is for, it having been practically
agreed that general legislation shall
be considered. Of course the real
purpose in having the general assem-
bly, here is to have provision made
for the constitutional convention.
The proclamation follows:
Under the authority vested in me by
the constitution of Virginia, and in &C
cordance with what believe TO be the
wishes of a majority of the people of the
State, manifested by the public utter
anCes of their representatives and by the
press; therefore,
l, J. Hoge Tyler, governor of the Com
monwealth of Virginia, do hereby sum
mon the members Of the Senate and
House of Delegates, constituting the
General Assembly of Virginia, TO meet
in extra session in their respective cham
bers in the Capitol, at Richmond, at -
O'Clock noon, on Wednesday, the 23rd of
January, 1901.
In testimony whereof, l have hereun-
TO set my hand and caused the seal of
the Commonwealth 10 be affixed, at
Richmond, this, the 18th day of Novem-
Der, 1900, and in the 125th year of the
Commonwealth J. HOGE TYLER.
BY the Governor, J. L. LAwLEss.
Now that the date for the meeting
Of the legislature has been fixed, In
terest in the constitutional convention
will be greatly increased. The legis-
lature will fix the date and apportion
the State. The general feeling il
that the convention should not bt
made too large body. The popular
idea seems to be that there should bt
from 100 to 14O members. The lat
ter is just the size of the legislature.
The two subjects to which the con
vention will especially address itself
are the restriction of illiterate negro
suffrage, and the revision of tn,
State government, so as to reduce the
expenses, which are now very heavy
There is a growing sentiment IL
the State in favor of the convention
adopting a primary system, similar
TO that of South Carolina, requiring
candidates of any party to hold pri-
maries for all offices, from United
States Senator down to county con
stables. 1t has long been though
that the rank and file of the Demo
cratic party is in favour of such
reform, and its friends are likely t,
endeavor to incorporate it in the nev
constitution.
Many, however, are said to fail t.
see the necessity for the change, ant
thereon may hang big fight owe
the proposition when the body meets
Governor Tyler is of the opinion tina
the cost attending an exta session
constitutional convention and specia
election is going to be a great deal
He places the extra session at $50,
900, special election at $15, 200, anc
the convention, if it should last man
months, at about 100000.