Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-09-25
THE CONVENTION.


terday's proceedings was the speech OF
Mr.. VirgiDius Newton, on the question
OF quadrennial as against biennial SEES
sions iof the legislature. He favored
quadrennial sessions. He said he rose
10 answer to the request made by Judge
Robertson last Saturday that some Dust
ness man arise and state the atti-
tude Of the business man on the ques-
ton. He declared that the business
interests OF Richmond unanimously De-
sired quadrennial sessions OF the iegis-
lature; that 1t had got Sd when the leg
isature met black pail settled over
business operations, which did not lit
until the legislature adjourned. DE
said all large business concerns no"
employ special counsel TO look alter
legislative acts-not for selfish purposes
but for protection OF rights aud 10 pre-
vent grave mistakes.
He then said quadrennial sessions
would save in actual cash the interest
on $3.50, 900. He declared tnat no.
where 10 the world was personal prop
erty more fully taxed than 10 Virginia.
Tne proportion OF taxes between real
estate aod personal property in Vir.
ginis, he said, was in favor OF personal
property, and was exceeded by only
thirteen states 10 the United States;
that the personal property proportion
10 Richmond wss the highest of any
city in the UGited States, except one,
and that the city government was ex-
ceediDgly extravsgant; that OF the
whole net revenue of the State, Rich
mond paid one-fourth 10 the State
treasury. He said VIRGINIA had less
square miles by 10000 than North
Carolina aud 1900 less than Georgia,
With larger population in both States
chan Virginia. The cost OF Virginia
les islalures was 1922 900, North Caro-
lima 100000 aud Georgia S94, 600
"Unless Virginia pu's its hand firmly
upon its till the cost OF officers salaries
will hardly be reduced" be continued
1--WE are guilty of extravagance 10
spending annually nearly 81 000. 900 for
schools and colleges Of the State. This
expenditure includes city, State and
county taxes. North Carolina spends
something over 81 900, 900 and Georges
81 SOC, 900. The assessment OF property
upon which taxes 10 levied is often found
20 be % per cant. over it's actual value.
| In North Carolina assessment 10 6O'pel
cent. under it's actual value and Georgll
40 per cent. under. Virginis's annual
expenditure il over 49, 0,0OO; Nortt
Cardinals a little over 81 600 200, anc
Georgia, that gives nearly $1,000, 600 tt
it's old soldiers, is about $4,000. OO0
ask you II this is not extravsgance T
| Mr., Newton's speech was often ap
plauded.
Mr.. Barnes also spoke 10 favor o
duadrennisl sessions.
Judge Richmond paid his respects Il
Mr., O'Flaherty in regard to his re
uarks Saturday touching the excessive
criminal expenses Of Scott county
Judge Richmond compared Scott an'
Warren, Mr.. O'Flsherty's home county
and frequently raised the laugh on Mr.
O'Flaherty. Mr.. Withers closed tn
debate without vote being taken.
Mr.. Barbour introduced resolutioi
recurring the signatures OF msJ orlt,
of Inc qualified voters ofany predict o
| magisterial dist rlct in order TO obiaiI
license to sell liquor. II was referred
As stated yesterday the committe
ON executive department settled to-
composition OF the board of publi
works and the manner OF election 9th
officers, and referred to subcommittee
the disposition 10 be made of the offic,
OF 81 cond auditor.
The vote was taken on the election
of treasurer by the people. IL wa
adopted. Yeas-Glass, Fairfax, Mar
shall, Walker, Lowell, Blair, Barham
Nsys-Csmeron, Flood, Hancock. 4
motion TO elect the auditor by the PEG
pie was defeated, Messrs. Marshall aDC
| Barham alone voting for IL.
The vote was then taken on the cleo
ton ofsecretary OF the commonwealth
by the people. Yeas-Hancock, Mar
shall, Lovel, Flood, Cameron, Barham
Nsys-Glsss, Fairfax, Walker, Blair
Governor Cameron then moved to re
consider this vote. Mr.. Glass offered {
resolution that this officer be appointed
by the governor, by and with the con
sent OF the Senate. The vote resulted
10 a tie. Yess-Glsss, Fairfax, Mar
shall, Walker, Blair. Nsys-Hancock
Lowell, Flood, Cameron, Barhsm. Mr.
Hooker, the absent member. will be al
lowed to vote. His vote will determine
the question of election Of the secretary
OF the common wealth by the people oil
bis appointment by the governor. AS
Mr.. Hooker has previously voted
against election OF officers by the peo-
DIE. it is safe to say he will vote to give
the governor power to appoint. Mr.
Blair then moved that the board of pub
lie works consist OF the governor, lieu
tenant governor, attorney general, al.
ditor and treasurer. This was adopted
unanimously.
The committee on finance and taxa
ton heard several reports from SUBJ
COZ mittees last night. One report pro-
yides that no tax bill Of any nature
shall be passed by the legislature with
out the affirmative vote OF msjority
elected 20 each branch. The most In
teresting report was that OF Messrs.
Meredith, Hamilton aud Hstton as to
the exemption from taxation OF proper
ty owned by churches. educational in.
situations and benevolent and frsterDal
organizations. The ordinance recon-
mended will exempt ell property oi
the character referred to which is used
exclusively for the purposes of the or.
ganizstion to which It belongs, but
where the property or any part OF it is
used for profit, the whole must be taxed.
There was no dissent to the report,
but action was deferred until next
Thursday night, when the oyster ques.
ton will he considered.
10 the discussion the statement was
made that uoder the present law there
Is 100000 of property 10 Norfolk
owned by churches and orders from