The Washington times., 1901-10-15
COUNTY LAWS CONSIDERED
The Virginia Convention Discusses
the Legislative Report.
Questions of Representation Sent to
the Suffrage Committee-The Crcn-
tiOn of Omces-an Adjournment
Over Election Day Talked OF.

RICHMOND, Oct. 1.-THE Constitution
al Convention met at noon today, in ac-
cordance with the adjournment taken on
Saturday. Fifty-six members answered
to their names.
President Goode presided. prayer being
offered by Delegate Dunaway, of Lam
caster. Three memorials endorsing the
Barbour resolution were presented-two
by Delegate Turnbull. of Brunswick, and
one by Delegate Lincoln, of Smyth.
Leaves of absence were granted to sew
eral members for short periods, except
in case of Delegate Gwyn. who has gone
home on account of Illness.
on motion Of Mr.. Moore, of Fairfax.
the convention resolved itself into Com
inittee of the Whole, consideration of
the report of the Legislative department
being resumed. Section %. regarding the
formation of counties. was taken The
section provides that no new county shall
be formed with an area of less than 600
square miles, nor shall any counties be
reduced below that area. The report of
the committee was adopted.
Mr.. Thomas, of Norfolk, offered the fol-
lowing substitute for the report of the
committee in reference to elections in
counties:
In general elections. no county not en-
titled to representation shall be so divided
as to cause one part of said county to be
represented by a person different from the
person who represents another part of
the same county" Mr.. Dunaway, of Lam
caster, proposed an amendment that in no
election should a county be divided.
At Mr.. Thomas suggestion, the amend
ment was withdrawn, and referred to the
Suffrage Committee
Mr.. Barhams amendments new sec
tion prohibiting the creation of new Of
fees after the adoption OF the new con-
stitution, unless by the consent of two
thirds of the members of both branches
of the General Assembly-was taken up.
Mr.. Wise, of Richmond, opposed the
amendment. He was opposed to useless
offices, and would vote to abolish the
same. But 1t was impossible to say what
emergency might arise. The hands of
the Legislature should not be tied.
Mr. Brown, of Bedford, offered to amend
by making the proposed section read,
Unless by a recorded vote of a majority
of the members of each house of the Cen
eral Assembly
The amendment of Mr.. Brown was ac-
cepted, and as amended the section was
agreed to.
Ihis completed the report. with the ex-
ception of the question of quadrennial
sessions, which comes up Thursday on
the motion of Delegate gFlood to recon-
sider
The report of the rninority-Messrs
Turnbull. Richmond. Carter, Wescctt. and
e(uarles-was taken up. The report pro-
hloits any appropriation by any city or
county or the State to any institution not
"n3iIy under state or municipal control
gf no
over for short while, and at o'clock
the committee rose and the convention
took a recess until O'Clock.
Judge robertson. OF Roanoke, said to-
represented as to the purpose and intent |
u ms resolution in the Constitutional |
convention regarding the use of the |
words or damaged in the report of the |
Legislative Committee. the Impression |
having been given that he favored pro- |
liDiting damages being allowed where |
1riyate property Is injured by reason OF |
public improvements.
. The only difference between his posi- |
ION, he says. and the ma jority Of the
legislative Committee was as to whether /
was better for the constitution to
provide in general terms and without
luallncation for damages, or whether it |
vas better to leave the matter to the |
ieneraI Assembly to provide for such
iearly define the character of damages
nd the cases in which damages should be
flowed.
Members of the convention are discuss
hS the adVisabtlity of an adjournment |
within the next two weeks for a period
I ten days in order to allow the members
4 the body TO go to their homes prior to
ne election for the purpose of informing |
ne voters OF the status of the work of the
onVention and to allow some of them a
nance to get on the stump This at pres
Mt seems the most popular idea.
Others there are who think il would
I f,f ha |
Mt week until Monday following the cleo
ION. while some of the leaders are op-
nsed to any adjournment except for the
'eek cf election