Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-08-30
THE CONVENTION.

There Was an unusual scene in the
constitutional convection yesterday.
Colonel Summers was making speech
10 defense of the Wysor amendment for
submitting the constitution when form
ed to foil electoral. He launched ont
into a tribute 10 the faithful service of
the negro race as slaves. He described
the stormipg at San Juan Hill, where,
he declared, the bravery of the negro
troops exceeded that of the white. The
negroes 10 the gallery applanded.
He then turned to the opposite side
of the gallery, filled With elegantly
dressed ladies'. and declared that many
oil their husbands were 10 dancer OF be-
ing DISTINGUISHED. Some OF the ladies
showed their resentment OF Colonel
Summers speech and reference to them
by turning their backs on him during
the remainder Of his speech. This so
Disconnected the colonel that he soon
asked to be excused from further speak
ing until Friday, aud took his seat.
Mr.. Pedigo, OF Henry, the only MEM
Der of the body who served iD the TO-
derwood convention, opened the debate
on the question OF submitting the con-
stitution to the people. His most sig
nficsnt declaration was that II the ne
groes had not been entraDchised he
would agree to give them that right now.
The member from Henry, who said he
voted for Lincolo, approved OF the post
bellum amendments to the federal con-
stitution and all OF tbs reconstruction
acts. The speakers reference to the
"Moses OF the convention" who was
evidently Senator Daniel, brought down
the house 10 uproarious laughter. The
"Moses," he said, was on top OF the
mountain with the outrage com mittee,
and his followers were without leader
In the meantime. His witty hits at the
com mittee'd long delay in bringing 10
any franchise report, and its daily
changes, evoked applause time and
| time again.
| Col. J. B. X chmond. democrat, oil
Scott, preceded the two speakers named
| 10 q strong speech against the disfren'
chisement OF any whites. He would
not say how he would vote on the SUBJ
ject under consideration until 1t was
known what the convention proposed
to do on that line.
Judge Green, chairman of the com
miltee on preamble and bill OF rights
notified the convention that all who
wanted to speak on that report must DC
so at once.
The members of the suffrage commit
tee from the BLACK Belt" held con
ference last night and agreed In thu
j main upon important recommendation
that they will make to the full commit
tee 10 the hope that these will NEE
with favor and help to bring all inter
ests and conflicting views together. To-
plan practically settled upon. but which
will be revised THE morning, provides
for an understanding clause to be IL
force for one year and property quail
fication OF 500. A poll tax may b.
added. All soldiers and their de
scendants are exempted "a ar
those who may pay license take
and artisans and skilled mechanics
At the meeting of the 6nsnce com
mittee last night the subcommittee ap
pointed to report on matters relating Il
the public debt recommended the call
ing In and payment Of the State bond
held by the various educational insti
buttons 10 the State known as the liter
airy fund. The plan is to fund thes'
bonds, which now pay per cent, int
8 per cent. bonds. The saving TO thu
| State in interest would be about S72, 0OC
year.
| A hearing will be given on Tuesds,
hight, September 10, to all the institu
tons which care to be heard. The 10
situations affected are Washington AM
Lee, Virginia Military Institute, Emor,
aud Henry, Leesburg Academy, New
London Academy, Raudolph-MacoI
College, Uoiversity of Virginia, Rich
mond College, Halls Free School
Episcopal Seminary near Alexandria
william and Mary. Hsmpden-Sidney
Union Theological Seminary, Mile
Manual and Labor School, Hampton
Normal Institute, Randolph MacoI
Woman's College, Virginia Polytechni
Institute, and the Dawson Fund.
The general subject OF oyster taxa
ton will be taken up ON the night O
September aud representatives Of tb
sections affected will be heard.