The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-01-25
Pro poseds. C CO1lVe1ltl on.
MANY M SPEECHES. MADE.
Most Of Them Were in Fayor. Of the
SUFFRAGE QUESTION DISCUSSED !.
Judge Watkins Though it Would be
Wiser and More Polite to Get Rid

stitutionalAme Than
by Laws Already in Force.
a Session Tonight.
The Democratic members of the Gene
raj Assemhl held a caucus last5rfght TO.
consider the Flood joint resolution look
ing to the calling Of a constitutional con-
vention. For The first time during this
session representatives OF the press were
excluded from the conference.
No action was taken upon the resolu-
ton, but the caucus Sid decide that in
the event of any legislation being en-s
acted upon this subject the same should
be made a party issue, or, in other words.
that the State Democratic Committee be
requested to, make it party issue
Soon after Chairman Pitcher had called
the caucus to order the following reso-
luton was offered and adopted:
Resolved, That i'll the event If the
passage by the General Assembly of a
joint resolution calling 3 constitutional
convention, we, the Democratic caucus
Of the General Assembly. do hereby earn.
estly recommend to the State Executive
Committee and the next Democratic State
Convention that the resolution so passed
calling for, constitutional convention,
receive the approval and endorsement Of
the Democratic organization of the State
MIR. FLOODS RESOLUTION.
Senator Flood offered the following:
Resolved. That this conference ems
dorse Senate resolution No. I, providing
for submitting to the voters of the Com
monwealth the question. .'Shall there be
a constitutional convention?" that all
Democratic members OF the General As
sembly be instructed to vote for the
same in their respective houses: that all
discussion upon this question be had to-
nisht, and that there be no discussion
OF it by Democratic members IN the
Senate or House Of Delegates.
Senator Lupton offered the following as
a substitute:
Resolved That this caucus declare it to
be its sense that constitutional conyen-
tion be called.
Mr.. Flood withdrew his resolution and
accepted that offered by Mr.. Lupton.
resolution had previously been offered
by Delegate Prince. that only members
of the caucus be admitted into the hail.
The newspaper. men were told by mem
Der Of the body that this did not apply
to them, and they remained. Just about
the time the discussion was to begin,
Mr. Flood -made the point that the
resolution should exclude the reporters
Senator Opie suggested that the report
ers be permitted to remain, and allow
their reports to be censored. The news
paper men left the hall.
A LIVELY DEBATE.
senator opie opened the debate In be-
half of the resolution. He is one of the
besrGtalkers In. the General Assembly, and
made an able argument In behalf OF the
proposed convention.
Delegates Fitzpatrick and McAEister
also spoke in behalf of the resolution, and
Senator Morris opposed i.
One of the principal speeches was MADE
by Judge Mann, the senator from Notlo-
way. who earnestly advocated the pas
sage of the resolution. He pointed out
the needs Of a new, constitution, and his ad-
dress ELECTED considerable applause from
the advocates of the measure.
Judge Asa d. Watkins, the Senator
from Prince. Edward, took practically
the same view of the matter as did Judge
Mann He said the Democratic party
had been criticised for. passing acts that
disfranchised q large number of voters OF
certain class. This action was approved
by the best people Of the State, and he
believed it was righteous and Just. But
history and future tions might crit
icise this method of getting rid Of an OBJ
noxious vote and. in his judgment. it
would be better and wiser and more posi-
tic to deal with this question of suffrage
by constitutional amendments. He ear
nestly, ably and eloquently advocated the
convention scheme.
s. Senat VIM Shands. who was admitted
to the CAUCUS Of Democratic Senators
Tuesday night. made his maiden speech
in conference Of Democratic members
Of the General ssen1bly His right to sit
In the general caucus was not al!enged.
AR. Shands favored the calling of a con
vent!on. rs
MR.. sKEEzELL's VIEWS.
The speech tha perhaps. attracted the
most attention was the one delivered by
Senator Keezell He thought rhe caucus
had gone as far as st should go in decid-
klo,,