Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-09-27
THE CONVENTION.

| '~NNsSe JSoNCtteEf
The report was presented by Mr.
Watson, in the absence of Mr.. Thorn,
the leader OF the majority party In the
committee. 1t was accompanied by q
written explanation of the recommends.
tions signed by Messrs. Alfred p. Thorn,
Thomas II. Barnes, George ID. Wise, K
l.. Gordon, jr., John II. Ingram, j. b
Lindsay, Claggett B. Jones, Gilmor b
Kendall, Bergman Green, Alexander
Hamilton, Il. ID. Flood and Walter A.
Watson.
Senator Daniel, chairman OF the com
mlttee snd leader Of the minority mem
bers, announced that their report was
nearly ready and would be made today
The majority plan provides for poll
tax OF $3.50, TO be paid ak months be
fore the election, by the voter, who
must have paid taxes On property
owned by himself or wife OF the amount
81. Persons who have served 10 the
United States or Confederate service
are exempt from the property tax quail
ficstioD.
The general provisions OF the report
were published In yesterdays Gszstte,
Mr.. Wysor presented q minority re-
port OF bis own, and it ID understood
that the republican members of the
ommittee will also offer one. 1t is not
at all certain that the majority report
will prevail.
The convention after the above re-
port was received, took up the discus.
sion Ia the Committee OF the whole OF
qusdrennial az against biennial elections
and sessions OF the legislature. Meesrs.
Newton and Parks spoke In favor oi
sessions and elections every four years,
and Capt. Wise for four-year elections
and two-year sessions.
The prospect for unlimited debate
seemed excellent when DR.. McIIwaiDe
demanded that he be allowed to vote.
He declared that this question had
been discussed sufficiently. He said II
was disgrace 10 Virginia aud dis
honor to delegates that speeches should
continue here after every man bad
made up his mind how to vote. The
chair then said the debate would con-
tinue If anyone came to speak sitter hear
ing DR.. McIlwaine.
A motion to proceed to a vote was
then adopted.
On motion OF Senator Daniel, and by
unanimous consent, the question of ses.
sioDs and election was divided, the first
vote being on qusdrennial elections.
The vote on y division wss-21 ayes.
A noes-the substitute to provide for
biennial election being lost.
The next vote was taken on the prop.
osltion to hold qusdreDnial sessions OF
the legislature. The report of the com
mittee was sdopted-ayes, 33; noes, 80
the amendment to provide for bien-
nisl sessions being rejected.
Section 8, providing for not less than
40 members OF the Senate and requir-
ing the election Of all members OF the
Senate at the same time as members OF
the House, was adopted, dropping oil
hold-over Senators,
Section 9, relating to salary of mem
bers OF the General Assembly, was
adopted. Il also forbids members
from holding offices OF profit by ap-
pointmsnt du,ing the term for which
they were elected.
Section Z, limiting regular terms of
legislature to 80 days, was adopted.
Section 8, relating TO officers Of Gene
raj Assembly and browning for vacan-
cies, was adopted.
Section 8. referring TO privileges OF
members, was adopted.
When section 10 was reported Chair
man Moore stated that there were some
changes his committee desired to con-
slider before further action by the con-
vention. He moved that the committee
arise. The motion was adopted, aud
the committee reported progress to the
convention.
So far as the report OF the committee
was disposed of, not a change was
made in it,.
Mr.. Glass offered q resolution direct
ing the committee on elective franchise
TO report provision empowering wo-
men to qualify and discharge the du-
ties OF notary public Mr.. Meredith
offered one providing for the custody
of children during the tendency OF
divorce suits.
Il Is pretty well understood that
there will be conference OF the demo-
cratic members of the Constitutional
Convention next week to consider the
suffrage matter.
Some of the democrats, II is under
stood, will 20 into the conference with
the distinct understanding that they
will not be bound by its solions.
Senator Daniel, Msj. Anderson and
others OF the democratic minority OF
the suffrage committee. 10 q conference
last night perfected their plan aud will
report il today. The main |
feature will be less stringent under
standing clause, which will not be
made permanent. The democrats of |
the convention will begin to caucus on
the subject next Wednesday night.
The finance com mittee last night |
heard argument in regard to the pro-
vision to be placed 10 the constitution |
relating to the oyster industry. 1t lie
thought the present section prohibit
pg license tax will be stricken out
ind 10 its place will be inserted
provision that the oyster beds, rocks,
shoals and grounds shall never be
essed or sold, but shall be preserved
or the people OF Virginia. A large
delegation from Tidewaier urged 10 ad.
iilion to this specific tax not exceed.
ng 81 on shaft tongers 81 on patent
oDgers; 90 cents an acre on planters,
I'D q maximum limit on other forms OF
'ysteriDg. The committee rose with
)ut acting.