Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-09-17
THE CONVENTION.

Shortly after the constitutional Con-
vention met yesterday Senator Daniel
moved that the president appoint
committee OF five members to attend the
funeral OF President Mckinley, at Wash
ingtoO. as representatives OF the con-
ventiou and the people OF Virginia, and
that a like committee be appointed to
arrange for memorial services 10 the
convention hall Thursday during the
time the last sad rites are being held In
Canton, o, The motion was amended
80 as TO make President. Goode the
chairman of the Washington commit.
tee, and be ter announced the follow
log committees:
Senator Daniel, Hon. George ID. Wise,
Hoo. Robert w. Blair and Hon. Thos.
l.. Moore. The latter two are republic
cans. The committee left for Washing
ton this morning.
The following committee was named
TO arrange for the memorial services IN
Richmond on Thursday: Messrs. r.
Walton Moore, Wm. A. Anderson, d..
Tucker Brooke, Bergman Green and
A. p. Gillespie.
The convention after receiving sew
eral 10 memorials 10 relation to liquor IL
oopsea, went into the committee OF the
whole, and the premable and bill OF
rights were further discussed. The de-
bate, as stated yesterday, was upon the
Jury system. Judge w. Gordon Robert
SON spoke iD favor of the proposed
change 10 the jury system, contendiDg
that it was purely business question,
the matter of dispensing with the sys-
tenn OF unanimity Of verdicts In civil
cases.
Mr.. Anderson advocated the same
proposition, aud Senator Daniel spoke
for FIVE minutes in favor OF adheriDg to
the old system. Judge George K. An
derson opposed the majority verdict, as
did also Mr.. O'Flaherty.
Mr.. Barbour followed Judge Ander-
so 10 an argument in favor OF majority
yerdicts. When he concluded the con.
ventlon was without quorum, and no
vote was taken. This jury section may
be disposed of today.
The democratic members of the suf-
frage committee took vote yesterday
and adopted what is known az the
! Thorn plan. There was decided ma.
jority 10 favor OF this plan, Que OF the
chief features of which is the perma-
nent understanding clause.
Senator Daniel and others will pre-
sent a minority report, and it is under
stood that the republican members will
submit yet third report. The confer.
euce discussed the matter OF submitting
its plans to the democratic caucus, but
rose without reaching any decision.
The convention adopted resolution d.
recling the Auditor Of Public Accounts to
lurnsh information as to the amount Of
Ell ares Of stocks and bonds DOW listed in Viz
einia By the corporations for taxation. The
same resolution also calls for amount of II.
cense tax imposed upon these interests by the
various cities in the Commonwealth. This
inform ston Ia wanted for the use Of the CON-
mittee on finance and taxation. 1t is to be
used in considering the proposition fer giving
the State ABSOLUTE control OF all taxation on
corporations. These are now taxed by the
State, cities, counties and school districts.
The single system places this whole subject
in the hands OF the State.
1t is stated upon high authority that the
railroads may noe oppote the proposition to
ncIe Ise their tax burdens by 100000 or
100000 annually. IL they make this con
ce,sion is will be with the idea Of plscatlng
the people and preventing other and more
annoying legislation.