The Washington times., 1901-07-28
TIE VIRGINIA REDUCTIONS
Interest in the Convention Over
the Report on Expenses.
Forms Of 0nths TO Dc Taken by state
and National officials Submitted
The Proposed Changes in the VAR
fous Judiciary Systems Presented.

RICHMOND, Va. July 27-The sweep
ing recommendation of the Committee
on Reduction of Expenses. submitted t.
the Constitutional Convention today. i
puzzling the members of the convention.
The body is committed to a reduction of
exp. uses and to reduction of taxes, and
now that Chairman Withers and his COM
mittee have set the pace" some of the
members show evidence of the strain
and they crc not yet in the quarter
stretch. The report was not unanimous.
Messrs. CrismoRd ana Willis stating that
they did not coneur in all the recommen-
dations, announcing that they reserved
the right to vote on the report as they
deemed best when it was brought back
to the convention for action.
Chairman Goode. of the convention.
said today that he regarded the work
of the Committee on Reduction of En-
penses as of the greatest Importance.
The people have declared in favor of re-
ducing expenses. abolshing useless Of
fees, and reducing taxes. and he would
give the committee every support in his
power. He said.
THE reduction of expenses and taxes
is the one thing which the people de-
rnand. The delegates were sent here to
disappointed if their wishes are not re-
spected. The present system is cumber-
some. burdensome. and expensive. 1t is
not suited to our people and is of greater
need of reformation than is the subject
of suffrage"
President Goode called the convention
to order at noon Prayer was offered by
the Rev Richard McIlwaine, who is a
delegate. Eighty members were reported
present.
Chairman Withers, Of the Committee on
Reduction Of Expenses. today presented
the recommendations affecting the judi
ciary The report, which is as follows,
was referred to the judiciary Committee:
BE ii resolved, That every person be
fore entering upon the discharge of any
function as an officer of this State shall
take and subscribe the following cath:
I, -. do solemniy swear that / will
support and maintain the Constitution
and laws CT the United States and the
Constitution and laws of Virginia; that
have not directly or indirectly used or
caused TO be used, liquor, money, or any
pecuniary consideration, through any
medium. to influence The vote of any
electUr in this State, in my election or in
the election of anyone else, for any Of
flee. and that l have not promised direct
ly or indirectly any appointment TO Of
fee that would have a tendency to infiu
once the vote of an elector, and that /
have not contributed any pecuniary con-
sderation to any political campaign in
Virginia, directly or indirectly, and that !
/ will faithfully perform the duty Of
-- to the best of my ability. So help
me Cod"
any Federal officer that is. to United
States Senators and Congressman, be
granted until they take and subscribe to
the following oath, viz: I, ----, do
swecr that l have not directly
or Indirectly, or by implication. used or
caused TO be used, liquor. money, or any
pecuniary consideration or promised di-
rectly or indirectly. the promise of any
that would have a tendency to influence
the vote Of any eiector, and that l.
----, have not directly or in
directly contributed to the campaign fund
of any political party. So help me Cod -
Delegate Chapman, of Shenandoah
presented TIE following. which was
adopted:
Whereas the convention has pur-
chased many valuable books and records
at considerable expense and further, as
such books and records would be val
liable addition to the State library; there
fore, be it
Resolved. That the Secretary of the
Convention be required to keep an in
yentory of such books and records as are
purchased and turn them over to the
State Library, with an inventory. at the |
close of the session
Mr.. Gordon. of Richmond. presented an |
amendment to the preamble and Bill of |
Rights. which was ordered printed. The |
amendment is as follows:
TO the President of the Conventions:
1.-The Committee on Reduction of Ex- |
penses beg leave to submit the following |
recommendations as 10 the judiciary sys- |
TEN Of the State:
u. We recommend that the entire |
County Court system be abolished
''2. We recommend that the Circuit |
Court system, as now constituted, be |
abolished
''5. We recommend in the stead of the
present Circuit and County Court sys-
ems the following:
THE division of the State into twenty
,ircuits, each OF which shall have re-
siding judge who shall receive a salary
Tor expenses. in lieu of the present al
owance
Each circuit shall have prosecuting
attorney whose salary shall be 1880 per
annum, with an allowance of sl50 perl
annum for expenses, who shall perform
The duties of the present Commonwealth's
attorney
- That there shall be held in each
county of each circuit not less than three
terms per annum, and such other terms
as may be found necessary for the con-
venient despatch of the business Of the
court: and terms may be designated for
the trial Of civil or criminal causes.
IS. That the Legislature have power
hereafter to create such additional circuits
as may prove necessary or advisable.
provided that any circuit so created shall
not contain less than ee6o6 inhabitants.
&c. We further recommend that the
Jurisdiction Of matters of probate, admin
stration, etc, be conferred in vacation
upon the clerk of the Circuit Court in |
owns, and that all matters pertaining to
roads. bridges, etc, be vested in the
proper county authority established by |
mis- constitution
20. We firther recommend that all f-or
poration. - Hustings. Courts In cities or
towns Of less than 1850 Inhabitants he
abolished. and that :he Jurisdiction of
such courts so aboiishe@ be conferred
ipon the Circuit Court OF the district In
which such city or town is located. and
nat the question OF whether or not a
circuit Court shall be established and
leld In such city or town shall be deter
mined by law.
IS The above recommendations. In our
pinion, should not take effect until jan
iary ], 1904. the end of the present term
u the county court judges and we rec
mmend that the circuit court iIldges