The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1901-08-29
In FAVOR OF SUBMISSION.
Ex-Governor Cameron Speaks on
the Constitution.
Not Prepared to Say whether nm
Abridged Virginia Electorate
should Be Appealed To-What the
Convention at Norfolk Intended.

RICHMOND. Va. Aug. 2sAThe capaci-
ty of the Constitutional Convention hall
| To-Day was the size of the audience which.
| ssernbied to near the debate on the
Preamble ana Bill of Rights. the pend
ing question being on the amendment
offered by Mr.. Wysor to propose In
stead OF ordain." There were many dis
,ihguished visitors in the audience. among
them Andrew ]. Montague the Few. DIR.
Edward N. Caiisch. Second Auditor Dew,
Judge George l.. Christian. Senator Gar
diner Tyler. and others The eastern gal
| iery was crowded with ladies'. and they
| occupied all available space on the floor
as well. The western gallery was occu-
pied by men. about a dozen negroes be-
ing in attendance. The number of MEM
bers was larger than at any time since
| the body reconvened.
The fact that Ex-Governor Cameron was
| to speak was the attraction. and in the
expectation they were not disappointed.
| Several times Colonel Cameron was in
/ terrupted by Mr.. Wysor, and the replies
to queries propounded were greeted with
applause.
The convention was called to order at
noon by President Goode Prayer was
offered by the Rev. w. W. Moore OF
Richmond. Several memorials relative to
regulating the liquor traffic were presented
by various members and were referred
to the Committee on Preamble and Bill
Of Rights.
Delegate Petit. of Fluvanna, moved
for the further consideration of the
reports OF the Committee on Preamble
and Bill of Rights.
This was agreed to and Colonel CAM
eron was recognized. He went up to the
space in front of the chairman and began
his speech. He referred to the speeches
of Delegates Wysor. O'F1aherty, and Har-
rison, making satirical. humorous thr1ists
at the positions taken by the gentlemen.
He regretted that the question of deter
mining the action of the convention in
putting into effect the new constitution
should have arisen at this time. He was
IN favor of submitting the work to an
electorate. but he was not prepared to
say whether abridged or the present cleo
torate- The convention. he believed, was
absolute and supreme. The plea had been
mace that TO restrict the suffrage would
initiate against the white people of the
southwest and the valley. The time had
never come. and he believed it never
would, when the people of the State of
Virginia would not stand shoulder to
shoulder and come to the rescue of their
brethren Neither the Norfolk conven-
ton nor any other body of men in the
State had any idea that the new consti-
people who had never shown any appre-
citation of their votes when they voted,
even for county constable.
The speech occupied nearly an hour and
a half in delivery and frequently the ap-
piause necessitated stop of two or three
minutes. When Colonel Cameron took his
seat he was at once surrounded by menn-
bers. who congratulated the speaker on
his effort. The consensus of opinion was
that the speech was one of the abiest
yet delivered in the convention.
At the conclusion of the speech, on mo-
ton of Judge Quarles, the committee
arose, reported progress. and at 1:i0 ad-
iourned.
The Suffrage Committee met this MORN
ing and discussed the plan of compromise
which had been practically agreed upon
The property qualification after the two.
years is not entirely satisfactory. and
some of the members want an alternative
to go along with 1t as permanently
The educational feature Is not strong
with many OF the members. although as a
compromise they were willing to accept
it There is a most amicabie spirit ex-
listing in the committee. and their discus
sions and conferences are marked by the
best of good humor and courtesy.