The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-11-20


submit to the convention to-day, having
rewritten it to conform to changes made
at the last meeting. Governor Cameron's
success encouraged Mr.. Thorn to again
press his motion to strike out the sec
ton requiring the Supreme Court to give
brief reason in writing for the grounds
OF. refusing to grant an appeal. This
brought on a long and spirited oratorI-
cal contest The motion failed by vote
of Is to :. 1t looked like members were
ready to sign and the trouble was at
last over.
Chairman Hunton gave notice that he
should. on the floor of the convention, op-
pose the sections of the report fixing the
jurisdiction OF the Supreme Court; re-
curing two sections to abolish city
court: requiring Supreme Court to give
written statement of reasons for refus-
ing an appeal.
MT. Thorn gave notice that he should
oppose the last provision.
Judge Robertson gave notice that he
should oppose almost everything, in the
f'e'port.
MIR. Meredith made an earnest appeal
for harmonious agreement on all points
he urged that 1t would be pity. after
five months of the most intense labor
fo- the committee to split like this
Chairman Hunton urged members to
sign the report and submit it to the
convention to-day, with the understand
ing that any member could dissent to
such parts of it as he saw fit afterwards.
Two members announced that they never
intended to sign it at all. Mr. Withers
advised the course suggested by the
chairman. Mr.. Meredith insisted that
one more meeting be held in an effort to
get together. This was finally decided
ND will I,a Ic
ing but there will be another session of
the committee at o'clock in the after
noon
Oysters and Taxation.
The Finance Committee held an extend
ed session yesterday afternoon. The trou-
bic over the oyster question engaged the
entire attention of the meeting, and it
adjourned without deciding it.
Mr. Stuart chairman OF the subcom-
tee appointed to prepare the section of
Article Y relating to the oyster industry,
submitted the following:
Resolved, That section two OF Article
x of the present Constitution be stricken
out and the following be substituted in it's
stead:
The natural oyster beds, rocks and
shoals lying in the waters OF the Com
monweaIth shall not at any time be sold.
leased or rented but shall be held in
trust for the benefit of the whole people
OF the State"
Judge Garrett made an earnest speech
in favor of fixing a maximum tax in the
Constitution, SO that the Legislature
would be precluded from interfering with
the oyster industry. He also referred TO
the legal question involved in the right
Of the State. to control the oyster catch
in certain portions Of the territory owned
by private citizens.
After a spirited discussion, Mr.. Hamil-
ton offered a. resolution that the report
be recommitted to the subcommittee to
which is to be added NIessrs. Meredith.
Hatton and Moore. CT Fairfax. to ascer-
tain and report what property rights, If
any, the State has in the oyster grounds
and tidewaters within the limits of the
Commonwealth below low water mark.
The resolution was adopted.
The date for hearing the views of rail-
road officials, affected by Judge Harri-
sons resolution providing a plan of taxil-
ton, was changed to Tuesday. December
10th, at O'Clock P. NJ.
The Government OF Cities.
The Committee Oh Cities and Towns met
at o'clock yesterday and further con-
sidered the scheme of organization pro-
posed by Chairman Brooke. The section
relating to the veto power of the Mayor
was adopted. City SergeantS were gwen
a term of four years. The section reIat-
ing to the judicial department was left
to be disposed of IN the convention in
connection with the report of the Judi
ciary Committee. There was a long lis
cusson over the term of Office and eligi-
.bility for reelection of city treasurers,
pending which the committee adjourned.
Public IHsitu ions
The Committee on Public Institutions is
holding frequent meetings row for tEe
purpose of completing its report At the
session yesterday Afternoon Chairman
Ayres announced that with a meeting this
afternoon he thought the report would DE
in shape to present to the convention to-
morrow.
The committee has decided &c recon-
mend the creation of q general central
board. composed OF members of the vari-
Gus boards of visitors, and they to select
general superintendent and expert ac-
countant to supervise the fiscal affairs
and see that the bookkeeping of the
various institutions is conducted on mod
ern business principles
HEARD AROIIT THE c,Y,cr,c