Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-08-22
HAD SHORT SESSION
Virginia Constitutional Convention
Resumes Its Labors.
In SESSION BUT SIXTEEN MINUTES
Senator Glass Still in F ayor of
Proclaiming Results.
THE SUFFRAGE QUESTION
IN SESSION BUT SIXTEEN MINUTES
THE SUFFRAGE QUESTION
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.

| special DlSpatch TO Inc Evening Star.
RICHMOND, Va, August 22.-The con-
stitutional convention resumed it's labors
| today after a recess of nearly three weeks
| SiXty-eight members responded to their
names when Secretary Button called the
roll The republican members were con-
I spicuous by their absence, only Delegate
A. P. Gillespie of razewell being on guard
The delegates appeared refreshed by the va
cation, many of -hem being tanned by sea-
shore exposure, while those who went to
the mountains had a healthy glow in their
cheeks. For more than an hour the mem
bers exchanged greetings.
For men who had just returned from va
cation they did not work long today, the
session lasting Just sixteen minutes. Pres
ident Goode was on hand showing no eff
fects of his recent indisposition. Prayer
was offered by the Rev. DR.. P. B. Price of
the Presbyterian Church. The journal was
approved and the convention was again at
work.
Presentation of Memorials.
Mr.. Watson of Nottoway presented a
memorial from Concord Baptist Association
protesting against the appropriation by any
city, county or the state to any charity or
institution not wholly under state control.
memorial from the bar of Clarke county
against a reduction of the term of county
court clerks to four years. suggesting a
term of eight years.
The convention adopted the amendment to
the rules offered by Senator Daniel provid-
ing that when a resolution is pending and
an amendment is offered the tabling of such
amendment should not carry or prejudice
the original resolution. This was adopted.
A communication was received from the
nf mr. a n
to a resolution adopted by the convention
calling for information as to the number OF
private corporations doing business in this
state and the amount of capital invested and
the taxation received from such corporations.
There is no data in the office from which to
compile such report, and he has addressed
letters to the various commissioners Of the
revenue with view to obtaining such in
formation. An invitation was received from
H A. Darlington Camp, c. ", Smithville.
inviting the convention to witness the un-
yelling of the confederate monument at
that place on Tuesday next. The conven-
ton adjourned at 1920 o'clock.
Suffrage Committee Divided
The suffrage committee is still divided,
the indications today being that when the
committee reports there will be two re-
ports, majority and minority. The rock
upon which the committee splits is the
"grandfather clause" while the under
standing clause is causing no end Of trou-
BILE No one seems to know when the COM
mittee viii report, all prophecies in that
direction having failed. Only two things
have been fiXed-the poll tax and property
qualifica tons. If the understanding clause
is recommended and agreed to In addition
to the two clauses named only about 10 per
cent of the present negro voting poopula-
tion will exercise the right Of the suffrage.
Nothing was agreed upon at the meeting
of the committee this morning.
Contingent Fund Question.
The report Of the auditor of public ac-
counts as to the expenditure Of the contin-
gent fund has not yet been submitted to
the constitutional convention, and it will
hardly be done for some time. The report
has progressed sufficient to show to the
satisfaction of the patron Of the resolu-
tion that there Is no necessity for a fund
in excess of 5000 annually.
Just what the report will show when
submitted Is not known, though 1t Is inti-
mated that expenditures have been made
by more than one governor which might be
construed as tending to divert the fund
from what the general public had been led
to believe was the purpose of the fund,
and the extraordinary expenditures are
many of them of comparatively recent
date, embracing soap, flowers and other
incidentals more conductive to pleasure
than to comfort. That the report will make
good reading and would more or less en-
barrass some Of the men who have oc-
cupied the executive mansion is the gem
eral impression. That it would be used as
q political argument on the score OF ex-
travagant expenditures is conceded. and
on ali sides 1t is admitted that a mistake
was made in adopting the resolution just
at this time.
In some quarters there is doubt to
whether the auditors report will be sub
mitted at ALL "as 1t would only tend to
show that the constitutional convention has
engaged in a rather small business" There
seems to be disposition to let the matter
rest where 1t is, the purpose Of the resolu-
ton having been accomplished in showing
that 10000 Is not required for the COVER
nor's contingent fund.
Senator Glass Resolution.
Senator Glass. of Lynchburg was in his
seat today when the constitutional conven-
ton was called to order. He was looking
much improved and said he was feeling a
good deal stronger than for some time.
No, will not call up my resolution to-
day providing for instructing the commit
tee schedule to report no resolution
which should provide for submitting the
new constitution to an unabridged cleo
torate," said Mr.. Glass. II want the suf-
frage clause proclaimed, and If that Is not
done l favor proclaiming the constitution
outright. Sentiment is fast changing in
this respect, and / would not be surprised
to see this course adopted by the conven-
tion.