Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-11-21
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

Another lively debate ensued 10 the
constitutional convention yesterday
over the election of school superinten-
dents.
Mr.. Glass announced that the COM
mittee accepted the substitute offered
by Mr.. Barbour. The vote was then
taken and the substitute was adopted
yeas. So, nays, II.
The substitute is se follows:
First-The State Board of Education
may. In lite discretion, divide the state
into appropriate school divisions, and,
subject to the confirmation OF the Sen.
ate, appoint oil superiotendenis OF
schools for such divisions and prescribe
their duties, and may remove such su-
perintendents for cause, and upon
notice 10 the incumbent, provided no
such division shall comprise less than
one county or city, nor shall any coun-
ty or city be divided fn the formation
OF any such division.
Several other sections were adopted.
and the session closed while 10 animated
debate over the question Of text books
and the doubtful methods Of book pub
| fishers.
"The superintendent oischools 10 my
county is nothing bnt q political ring
ster, a ballot-box suffer; or at the hand
of those who do this contemplate work.
We want TO abolish the Office and we
want TO abolish this man with 1t. We
will do away with the miserable cleo.
total board 10 Scott county that Is foisE.
Ing this contemplate system OF machine
politics upon US 10 their efforts to throt-
tie the will Of the plain people. Iu q
recent election in Scott county, the
papers sent out purporting to be the
| ballots cast Ia the election were moth
lug but parts OF old Congressional Re-
cords cut the sizs OF tickets and sealed
10 packages"
These were some OF the shots fred by
Judge J. B. Richmond, of Scott county,
10 a plea for the Petit amendment pro-
ylding that superintendent Of county
schools be elected by the people. His
superintendeut is Mr.. W. d. Smith,
who Is also democratic manager OF the
Ninth district congressional committee.
Judge Richmond got after Judge
Portlook before be had concluded bis
remarks. The latter interrupted so
say that, under the amendment pro-
posed, Norfolk county might have q
negro superintendent Of schools, as 1t
had a normal republican msjority OF
$500. "Do you belong to the fusion
ists2" asked Judge Richmond. II
belong to any side that will give US g
white mans government" replied the
Norfolk county leader. ut gives both
kinds Of government 10 Norfolk, 1 un-
ders!and." said Judge Richmond. II
don't fuse with negroes" he continued.
"and never intend to. l stand for
white mans deu ocratic party 10 this
State and country"
General Ayers ably defended the
record OF Mr.. Smith when Judge Rich
mond closed. He and Judge Rich
mond are brothers-in.law.
Mr.. Waddill opposed election by the
people and said the change would mean
dragging this schools Of every district
aud every city into politics. Judge
Hancock also opposed the election OF
superintendeots by the people.
The convention also adopted the
committees report constituting the
heads OF the State educational instltu-
tons the State Board of Education.
The convention considered for some
time the question Of the selection OF
schoolbooks. but did not act upon 1t.
Delegate Wysor. Of Pulaski, present
ed TO the constitutional convention
new suffrage plan made up from al
OF the plans heretofore presented. The
essential features are these:
A grandfather clause; the payment OF
at least go cents 10 taxes by the voter
on property assessed 10 his name or
that OF bis wife (resl or personaD; pro
hibits negroes from holding Office and
provides for the counting OF ballots TO
public. A tax OF $l.60 is to be paid 80
days prior to the election. The plan
was ordered printed and sent to the
committee OF the whole house.
President Goode laid before the con-
vention the following Acknowledge
ment of the resolutions OF sympathy
adopted on the death OF President
Mckinley:
MRS. Mckinley acknowledges With
grateful appreciation the tender express
sions OF sympathy extended to her 10
her sorrow."
The members of the judiciary CON.
mittee agreed yesterday evening after
long conference to sign the report al
ready printed, but each reserves the
right to withhold his approval In the
oonvention