Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-02-16
THE LEGISLATURE.

bill provides for 100 delegates. for an
election on the fourth Thursday In
May, the 23i, for the assembling OF the
In Richmond on the iZIn
dsy OF June, az d, moreover, 1t provides
the machinery for counting tee vote
between the 23d of Msy and the l2tn
OF June. The bill contains a provision
for the submission OF the new constitu-
tlop to the qualified voters OF the state
for ratification. The conferees regard
this as unequivocal, but many 'binK
the language can be construed to apply
only to those who will be qualified
voters under the new constitution. The
pay of the delegates to the convention,
as prescribed by the legislature, shall
be "a per day, aud the members shall
be entitled to the same mileage and
privileges as members of the General
Assembly.
This was settled by the two branches
OF the Legislature when the report OF
the conference committee on the con-
stitutional convention was adopted and
the legislature practically adjourned.
The closing scene in the preparation
for the convention was the bill passed
to fit the election law in its application
to the coming election. The bill passed
by the two houses 30 amended the
present law as to make 1t apply TO
counties in which no party nominations
are made. As il exists now 1t eAempts
from its operations In local elections
counties in which no party nominations
are made. The election for delegates
to the convention occurs on May 70, on
the same day on which county officers
are elected. Hence it will be seen that
the amendment adopted was necessary
In order to have the so-called Austrsl-
ian ballot system in force In this con-
test.
SENATE.
Senator Glass, who has taken such
an active part 10 the contest, gave no.
tice that he would appeal to the white
people OF the State on the question OF
submitting to the ignorant negroes the
work OF the convention. He challenged
Mr.. Flood, the patron of the bill adopt
ed and the leading advocate OF the
principle against which the speaker
commended, to meet him on the hustings
Under provisions OF the bill Mr.. Floods
convention district will be composed OF
Campbell and Appomsttox counties.
Mr.. Glass Is also from Campbell. He
Motif cd the Senator from Appomattox
that he would be delighted to go with
him before the white people of his
home county on the proposition that
the Virginia negroes are to pass upon
the action OF the democratic represent
atives 10 the great body which Ia to
enact the organic law.
Mr.. Flood said he would not hesitate
TO meet the Senator from Lynchburg at
any time or place and discuss with bin
this question.
Mr.. McIlwaine showed by quota
ton from the present constitution that
the legislature had no power to do any
thing ia connection with assembling the
convention but p.o"sde for the election
OF its delegates. Every other attempt
to interfere with the free and untram-
meled action OF that great lawmakiDg
power, he said, was idle and utterly IN
warranted. The speaker declared that
10 his judgment the convention when II
assembled would laugh at the attempts
OF the Legislature. the creature of Its
powers, to bind Its hands.
Mr.. Sands, of Henrico, made an un-
successful effort to get the Senate to
consider the Jones House bill amend
ing the charter OF the Virginia Farmers
Fair Association. This is the bill which
was reported to the House few days
ago and gives the association such lali-
tudinous powers. The Senate postponed
the bill indefinitely.
Senator Keezsll's bill to require the
marking So salts q ed of deeds of trust
on personal property, as Is done on real
property was passed.
Mr.. Stands had passed the House
bill providing for the retirement Of
Virginia officers after ten years service,
with the rank which they held when
mustered out of the service OF the
United States at the close Of the Span,
ish war.
The bill amending the statue SO as to
permit stockholders In solvent or in
solvent corporations to sue such corpo'
ratioDs OF which they are or have beer
members was passed.
Mr.. Flood asked unanimous consent tc
intro iuce o bill to provide the manner o.
balloting for delegates to the constitu
tional convention. The effect OF the
bill will be to make the Walton-Parkei
election law apply in counties and cities
where the Anderson cCormick Law
would otherwise be in vogue. The
measure was passed without opposition
and reported to the House.
HOUSE.
The feature OF yesterdays discussion
In the House was resolution by Mr.
Barclay, of Lexington, providing thai
while the delegates to the convention
be elected from the House districts
they be voted on by the state at large,
The manifest purpose was to prevent
the election of republicans In the re-
publican districts and freezs them out
entirely from the convention. Some oil
the leading democrats opposed the
measure, and declared that when the
republicans owned the district they
should have right in the convention.
and the measure was defeated by vote
OF 65 to 10. There is q strong belief that
the division OF the State into House dis
tricis, without having delegates at large
throws the election OF delegates in the
hands OF the regular ofiice.holding ma
chinery. and that very little can be &C.
complished 10 the way OF reforming the
offices OF the State, The hope lies In
the tremendous interest aroused among
the people, aud that they may break
the ordinary political bonds and elect
non-political delegates.
Judge Mann. OF Nottoway, made a
ringing speech in opposition TO suDmis-