The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-06-02
NEXT STEP ON PROGRAM.

Counties and cities for convention. GO
against, 46; not heard from, 6.
NEXT STEP ON PROGRAM.
Now that the people have voted for a
convention, the party managers will
next address their attention TO preparing
for 1t. We not the opinion of some Of
the leaders:
Mr. Ellyson thought no action would
be taken with regard to holding the con-
vention until after the presidential cleo.
tion. but said he was in favor Of its be-
ing considered as soon thereafter as
practicable.
Hon. Henry r. Pollard said the re-
suit was very gratifying TO him, and
that he anticipated the assembling OF
the ablest convention that had sat in
Virginia since the one in lS49.'50.
MIR. Pollard thought the average poll
tician, FOR the third time being. would
be relegated to the rear
Colonel George Wayne Anderson was
Of opinion that irasmuoh as the adopt.
ion Of q new Constitution would re-
quire two sessions Of the General AS
sembly-one 80 provide for election and
holding Of the Convention and one to
conform the laws Of the State to the
new Constitution. should one be adopt
ed-there should be an extra session OF
she present Assembly, to save time, 30
that the people would not have to wait
for years for the benefits Of constitu.
tional revision. He strongly advocates
the calling Of an extra session In jan
uary next.
Hon. S. S. P. Patteson said he favor
ed calling the Legislature in extra SEES
sion after the holidays next winter, say
about the 10th Of January. He thought
the election should bs held next May,
and the convention during the sum-
mer. Mr.. Patteson said he hoped the
convention would contain no more del
egates than the Virginia House Of
Delegates, as II larger. It would be IN.
wieldly.
II am in favor" said Hon. Isaac
Diggs, "of electing some Of the dele
gates from the State at large, so that the
convention will contain some Of our
strongest and best men. "
Hon. S. L. Kelley thought regular
session of the Legislature would do az
well to provide for the election as an
extra session would, as the saving OF
time would not compensate for the ex'
pense of an extra session Of the present
General Assembly.
DR.. A. 8. Priddy, member OF the
House from Charlotte. favors the calling
of the Legislature together this summer.
DR.. Priddy thought an extra session
should be called early in order that the
new constitution might 20 into effect
before the election Of circuit judges
takes place sgain, so that the reforming
of the new judicial circuits would not
work hardship upon judges who had
Just been elected.
The majority given in Fauquier
county at the recent election for
the Constitutional convention was
the largest ever given in proportion
to the vote cast, which was largely due
to Colonel Granville Gaines, Demo
cratic county chairman, who was I'M
firing in his efforts to get every vote
out. To him, mainly, can be attribut-
ed the large majority Of nearly 7OO
votes in favor Of the proposition.
The Governor can, II he chooses. call
an extra session of the Legislature 10
provide for the holding Of the conven'
tion. He has, however, no intention
Of calling it to meet in extraordinary
session before the presidential election
next fall. Most Of the Democratic lead
ers are in favor of leaving 1t to the Gen.
eral Assembly to be chosen next year &c
provide for the convention. This will
probably be done, and in that event, the
convention cannot be held until in 1902.
It is understood in advance that the or
Qanic law drafted will be submitted tC
the voters for their approval or reiec'
ton.