The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-08-29
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

Nessrs. CrismOnd, BraXtOn and Harrl-
son will appear before the Judiciary
Committee in opposition To abOllshing
the CORPORATION Courts Of Fredcricks-
burg, StauntOn and Winchester.
The Judiciary Committee ia by no
means oi one mind on the character OF
the judiciary system. Messrs. llunton,
AYERS. and Robertson made strong argu-
ments in opposition 10 single system
of courts. and Messrs. Meredith. Cameron
and Withers. met them with very able
arguments in favor Of that system, ~
economical and efficient.
The right Of the constitutional COnyen-
ton 10 proclaim the new Constitution or
10 submit il to an abridged electorate
was strongly empathized in very able
speeches made by Rev. W. +. Runaway,
Of Lancaster, and Mr.. Hill Carter, 81
Hanover. Both speakers indirectly
aligned themselves with those who iayOr
submission to an abridged electorate.
The Watson plan il made the basis Of
the Suffrage law and the provisions In
yored are in the nature Of n compromise.
In lieu Of the so n month employment
exception, it il proposed to require regu'
lar employment for twelve months as
evidence of permanent attachment. The
understanding feature il that n voter
must understand any section Of the Con
stitntion when read to him or be able to
explain the duties of officers to be voted
Tor This feature il To be dropped alter
the first election. the enrolment for
which will be permanent. and the LOUIS
lana clause requiring the voter to make
application for registration in his own
handwriting. This, Of course. will not
apply To those who register originally.
On the pending question the amend
ment To submit the Constitution To the
whole electorate. Mr.. Barbour, OF Gull
pepper. mai an able legal argument show
ing the right of the convention TO either
proclaim or submit the instrument to an
abI dyed suii age
The Committee on Executive Depart
mcnts in executive session considered the
repo. OF Auditor Marye "A to the expen-
diture of the Governors Of the state for
the past 20 years. After having the re-
mort before it for an hour and a half the
committee determined to give it out to
the newspapers. which was done. The
contents OF the AUDITOR statement con
tanned no such sensational matter AZ
was expected and its shOwngs will
hardly cause the convention to make
any changes in the present apprOprla-
tions TO the contingent fund. Some OF
the hundreds of the items given in the re-
port include these: Flowers for Cover
nor's mansion $50; supplies for Cover
nor's mansion. sol materials for the
same place, $222 another charge OF so
for flowers: dry goods, $3.50 blankets
and linens. $50; and $3.50 to the COwpen
battle fund. Gov lee'sexpenditures out
of the contingent fund exceeded those OF
any OF the Executives. Large amounts
of this. though, went TO pay counsel fees
in the coupon cases before the Federal
cOur,s
MEASURES INTRODUCED.
There were several memorials presented
from various counties asking for an
abridgmcnt Of the present homestead
laws.
The following resolution was intro
duced aud referred. That after the
adoption of this Constitution that no
new Office shall be- created or established
by the Legislature of this state, except
by vote of not less than sixty-seyen in
the House and twenty seven in the
Senate
4 resolution for a fellOw-servants
clause in the Constitution. This pro-
yides that the employees Of all railroads
shall be- put on an equal footing with
passengers in their right to obtain dam
are for injuries received in accidents 1t
maks the railroad companies liable Tor
damages to their employees whether the
same result from the carelessness OF iel-
low servants or not. 1t covers the entire
ground contended for by the labor or
carnations Of the State The resolution
went to the Committee on Corporations.