The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-10-17


counted against license. We respectfully
request our protest may be presented to
the convention and considered by the
proper committee.
J. P. HADDON,
j. ROBERT DORIAN,
e. c. JOHNSTON,
CLEANING & Sinner,
r. NJ HENRY.
W. G. FUNK,
THOMAS HEATING, 1Agt,
JAMES sP1LBNfAN,
RALPH SAVAGE
AFTER COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
The special order, being the consider
alton of the resolution by Mr.. Withers
to abolish the Committee OF fhe Whole.
coming up, Mr. Withers said he did not
wish to be considered as DESTROYS of
placing undue restrictions on debate His
object was to see that something was
done. The only three things yet done
were accomplished in the convention.
Not q single thing had yet been finally
settled by the Committee of the Whole.
The matter Of taking an oath, and the
Treat-Gregory contest, We're decided by
the convention, and he had heard no man
complain that those questions We're not
discussed without any gag law or efforts
to take advantage of any member by
calling the previous question. In the
Committee of the Whole order cannot
even be preserved. Nothing but mo-
ton to rise or a vote can be considered
Every subject on the face of the earth
Can lie discussed without restriction or
limit.
So far Us any question having been set
tied up to now relating to what shall be
in the Constitution, this convention up to
now is nothing but barren fig-tree The
long discussions that have been had are
all to be gone over again in the conven-
ton
Mr. Withers further cited illustrations
Of the length of time taken in making
long speeches to empty seats, and con-
| tended that it would all have to be gone
over again in the convention.
Mr.. BROWN SPEARS
Mr.. j. Thompson Brown strongly OPP
posed The adjustment of the Committee
of the Whole. He said the committee
was the best device known to parliament
airy proceedings to give every member a
lair chance TO have his opinions collsid-
cred on every question. and it also was
a safeguard against hasty or ill-consid-
cred action on grave and far-reaclling
questions. He said there was no nsu-
rance that abolisi1ng the Committee of
the Whole would have any better effect
towards securing a full attendance of
members in the convention When mat
tiers were settled in Committee ne
Whole it was fair warning to all mem
bers, present and absent. that the subject
would again come UP in the convention
for final action, and if a member was
not present then he would have no right
to complain.
Mr.. WIsE'S POSITION.
Mr.. Wise said the motion now up was
In effect the same as that of Mr. +. Wal
ton Moore, which was fully discussed
and defeated in September He said
every convention held in Virginia had
used the Committee of The Whole. its
object was to afford an opportunity for
1ull. free and uninterrupted discus
sion of all important questions. Ii is
proper in 4 body Cnat is framing fun
damertai laws to last Tor perhaps thirty
or forty Years to give to every question
the most careful and cautious and eX-
haustive examination. In the Legisla
ture the Governor can revise the action
at once and the people every two wears.
There is no tribunal OF revision for this
convention. Mistakes made now, if en-
bodied in the Constitution, cannot be
revised or corrected. The action Of the
Committee Of the Whole is not final and
chose of US who oppose the proposition
for quadrennial sessions are glad that it
was not final. The correction OF that
mistake alone will be worth more than
Mr.. Withers would have us believe the
Committee of the Whole.
MR.. BRANroN CPFcsED.
Mr.. Braxton. in opposing the motion,
said he could not understand the reason
for these repeated efforts to destroy the
Committee of the Whole. He argued
that two committee reports had been
thoroughly and fully debated, and dis
cussed in Committee OF the Whole. and
1t was proposed 10 not give the same fair
treatment to other committee reports.
Captain Wise here arose and called Mr..
Braxton's attention to how the Lcgisla-
ture hao been hedged ill., and put one or
two questions to AIR. BraXton. Mr.. BraN-
ton informed Captain Wise that he was
on his side. Great laughter and APP
plause.)
Captain Wise said he would plead gull
ty. He ought to have known it (Laugh-
ter9
Mr. Braxton said the Committee of the
Whole was the only safeguard against
hasty and inconsderate action.
Without the committee. the convention
was runaway engine with the breaks
TIN own off and nothing TO check a rush
tc destruction. An ordinary Town Coun-
Gil has more checks upon it, Many men,
bers here have no parliamentary expert
ence. and the rules of the convention
would place those of us who are unsl1ill-
ed at a great disadvantage. We would
be at the mercy of the skilled tactician,
no matter what our majority might be.
This motion is deliberate. disguised
attempt to put us where cioture could
be used debate throttled. and parliament
airy skill be at a premium" exclaimed
the earnest speaker.
He declared that the best way to get
through with the work before the body
was to so ahead and do 1t instead of try
ing to shirls it
The roll-call was, not proper in the
Committee of the Whole for it would
act as a handicap on a member whose
mind had undergone a change.
AMENDMENTS Killed OUT.
Ju6ge Harrison offered an amendment
to the resolution, providing that in the
a. 1.N &c