Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-07-15
Resolution of a Republican in the
Virginia Convention.
PENALTIES PRESCRIBED FOR MOBS
Other Suggestions Made During
Very Short Session.
PLA TO LIMIT TAXES
peciaI Dispatch to The Evening Star.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star
RICHMOND. Va, July 15.-Seventy -one
members were present today when Presi-
dent Goode called the convention to order
and in fifteen minutes after the gaveI fell
the session OF the const itutional convention
had ended for the day. The day was
marked by the presentation of a resolution
looking to the suppression of lynchings and
mobs in the state. Mr.. Pedigo trepD of
Henry county was the patron of the meas
ure, and after being read it was referred to
committee on legislative department More
time was consumed today in calling the
roll and reading the journal than was de-
voted to balance of session. As soon as
the adjournment was taken the members
gathered in the committee rooms and re-
sumed consideration of the questions refer
red to them.
Mr.. Pedigos resolution provided as fol-
lows: Resolved, That mobs and lynchings
ought to be effectually suppressed in Vir-
ginia, and as a means to that end it should
be made he duty of the governor whenever
a lynching is reported to him to offer a re-
ward Of not less than $500 for the detection
and conviction of each and every person en-
gagged in aiding or abetting such mob by
which the life of any person is taken; and
any person found to be engaged in such
mob shall be deemed guilty of murder in
the first degree. In cases where actual
murder Is not committed. but great bodily
harm inflicted. all persons engaged in aid
ing. encouraging or abetting such mob
shall be deemed to be guilty of riot and
punished accordingly, and il shall also be
the duty of the governor to pay to the law
full heirs of any person murdered by a mob
$1,000 out the treasury OF the state. and
to charge the same to the city or county
in which such murder by lynching shall
have been perpetrated.
Limitation of Taxation.
The following resolution was introduced
today by Delegate Barbour of Culpeper: Be
It resolved. that the committee on finance
and taxation is directed to report to this
convention no clause for the new constitu-
tion containing any limitation upon the
taxing power of the legislature other than
providing for separating the sources OF
state and local revenues and prohibiting
more revenue to be raised than is necessary
to pay the expenses of the government
economically administered and the interest
on the public debt already created.
Criminal Expenses.
Mr.. Barbour of Culpeper presented the
following: Be it resolved. that the commit
tee on finance and taxation inquire into the
advisability and justice Of requiring each
county and city in the state to bear its
OWN ciihilldi ehpehses upoh lhe o"Sia VI
permitting each to receive all revenue col
lected within its limits from liquor licenses,
except that in counties with cities located
within their boundaries or adjacent thereto
these expenses and revenues shall be di-
vided between such county and city upon
an equitable basis to be ascertained by law.
other Resolutions.
Additional resolutions were offered as
follows:
BY Mr.. Willis: Providing for incorpora-
tion into the constitution of a provision
that salaries shall not be increased or de-
creased during incumbency of officer.
BY Mr.. Chaplin: Requiring all officers
handling public funds to give bond in some
guarantee company.
BY Mr.. Quarles of Augusta: Authorlz-
ing the general assembly TO provide for
disabled firemen, also authorizing local
school boards to select books for public
schools.