The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-11-27

that it had no pace in the Constitution.
not a Constitution in the Union had any
such provision as that sought to be
j. d II IN S one. The fact tina. o..4er
States had embraced leg. slatlon In Their
Constitutions on other matters should
be a beacon to warn this convention from
following that example. He could not get
the consent of his m nd to depart from
the belief that only fundamental general
pslnc pies should be placed in Ine Con-
sttution, and legislating in the Consti-
tut on was violation of a fundamental
principle Of government.
CALLED IT A FAILUA-G.
Mr.. Hardy said he was gratitied to know
that with all their eloquence and ability
Messrs. Hunton and Carter had failed 10
show that the report of the committee
+ was wrong, or its recommendations I'M
desirable. He said that very act Of the
Governor and the Board of Directors was
subject to the control of the S-naIe. The
crv of special legislation die not influence
him. when he knew what was needed
and was convinced that it could be got
in no other way than to place it In the
Constitution.
Mr. Brown advocated the motion to
strike out section 8, not, as he said, be-
| cause section made all the provision
! that was necs ssary. He did not think it
| prudent to prohibit the General Assem-
bly, from having complete control OF the
| revenues of the State prison.
Judge Portlock sad he regretted that
| the cry of special Legislation had been
raised for the first time on commit
report. which sought to provide for a
more humane and busness-like treat
| i,,fp r or
criminal classes of the State. He :a'1
Mr.. Hunton ha9 himself SUBMIT ID a re-
mort from the Judiciary Comnlit.ae ma
| placed prob bition upon legislative ats.
| That Mr. Carter mad as a memper Of the
Comm ttee on the Legislature sigEet aad
| voted for prohibition on the Legislature.
Both Of these had returned reports
| here that embodied legislation, which
they now deliver trades upon IN the re-
port Of the committee providing Tor the
| proper and humane care of inmates OF
| the hospitals or prisons of the State.
What higher legislation could be per-
| formed, than this effort to lesislate TOR
breathing space and a treatment Tor
criminals that was some better than dogs
received. that would forever remove d
| disgrace; that was greater than ever
IVES the Black Hole of Calcutta. He said
he was utterly amazed that Mr.. Hunton
should so far forget the objects and pur-
poses of his own report as to arise mere
and protest against the humane and
rroper provisions of the present COM
mittee report on the sale ground that
he was opposed TO special legislation.
MOVED TO STRIKE OUT,
Mr.. .Keezell moved to strike out sections
three and four and offered substitute
requiring the Legislature to provide suf-
ticient cell room and air space Tor con-
vcts therein. He was opposed TO author
ling thez Board of Directors to borrow
money 1t was unnecessary to take this
mower from, the LEGISLATURE. There was
already surplus of more than S5oWU
in the treasury although 100000 had been
invested in bonds and the expenses OF an
extra LEGISLATURE and this convention
have been incurred and paid. There mao
not been a time in the past four years
when the State was not able to provide
sufficient cell room for the convlcts.
Mr.. Waddill: 'NVhy didn't you do it?
Mr.. Keezell: 1.-The Senate passed such
bill twice and it was defeated IN tle
House.
Mr.. Keezell further said he wanted 10
make 1t mandatory on the Legislature to
provide necessary cells for the convlcts,
but he was opposed to borrowing any
money.
Mr.. Wise said he argued with Messrs.
Carter and Hunter that every word Oh
the report Of the committe should De
struck out. He said there had been TOO
much legislation already by the con-
| vention. and if it kept on, there would
never be a new Constitution, unless II
was proclaimed He said he could not
define the line where legislation should
stop or begin. but he believed that the
provisions OF the report now under
consideration We're vicious in every par
ticular. He said there was no limitation
whatever placed on the discretion OF the
Board of Directors from erecting build
ings. and in order to pay for them, they
were authorized to control the revenues
of the. State for an unlimited period OF
time. He said if the convention proceed
ed further along this line. the whole Con
stitution would be repudiated. as 1t ought
to be.
l DR.. Dunaway advocated the adoption OF
the Keezell substitute. striking out sec
tons three and four. and compelling the
Legislature to provide sufficient occom-
. modat.ons for the humane and proper
management of the convicts.