The Washington times., 1901-07-19
NOT APAGAN GOVERNMENT
The Virginia Bill of Rights Aga II
Before the Convention.
Prayer in Behalf of Reinsert-
ing the Word "Christian"-Oppo-
sition to PrOclniming the Suffrage
Clause without "a Popular Vote.

RICHMOND. Va. July 1s.-Among the
spectators in the galleries at the Consti-
tutionaI Convention today was Booker T.
Washington, President of the Tuskegee
Industrial Institute. of Tuskegee, Ala.
Other well known colored men who were
there were Giles B. Jackson. the Rev. w.
F. Graham. Webster Davis. r. T. Hill.
and John Mitchell.
The Rev. George II. Spooner. who Is
making a vigorous fight to have the word
Christian left in the Bill of Rights, made
the opening prayer. He declared this
to be a Christian State and national free
country He said that no Mohammed-
ism or foreign practices were needed
here His remarks have caused much
comment and 1t is predicted that the
word Christian will be reinserted in the
Bill of Rights.
III. d. Flood was asked this morning If
it was true rs stated in some OF the
newspapers, that the suffrage article OF
the new constitution would soon be re-
ported from the committee with rec
ommendation that it be proclaimed as
part of the constitution without submit
ting it to the people.
Il have seen the statement you refer
to- responded the member from Apo
mattox and Campbell. but do not for
a moment believe the convention will do
so high-handed thing as to proclaim
constitution or any part of constitution
without .ubmitting it to~the people.
What has become of the resolution Of
fered by Mr.. Glass directing the Suffrage
Committee not to bring IN any report for
a submission of the constitution to an un-
abridged vote?'
;n RAJ
placed by request of Mr.. Glass. who stat
ed that he did not then feel strong enough
to sustain it in the discussion 1t was like
" to provoke. And, by the way. the res
olution is, so far as / am informed, an
innovation on Jefferson's manual and ev-
cry other authority on parliamentary pro-
ceedings 1t does not request the Com
mittee on Suffrage to bring in report
along given lines. but dictatorily ties their
hands and forbids them to bring in re-
port of a certain character
II see 1t stated that you are holding
yourself ready to combat this Glass res
olution whenever he calls 1t up.
Il have never made that statement,
said Mr.. Flood, but l now and here
make the declaration that L am prepared
to oppose the proposition of prociaimlng
the constitution, or any part OF II, Win
out submission to the people. or of sub
mitting il to the abridged vote stipulated
in the new constitutions; either of these
usurpations, as l regard them. | shall
resoluteIy oppose whether advocated by
Mr. Glass or by any other member.
1T looks as If the advocates of sub
mitting the constitution to the abridged
vote are bent upon bringing the question
up at an early day. But you must see
that this is Illogical. After the consti.u-
tion has been framed the question will
logically come up OF submitting It for
ratification or rejection, and of the cleo
torate to which il shall be submitted.
This was the course pursued by the great
convention OF 1s29-30 but the convention
of lS59-5l. and by every constitutional
convention ever held in Virginia, save
only the convention of 1776. which. being
a revolutionary convention that sun
dered the political ties which bound Vir-
ginia to the mother country, did not en-
terrain any thought of submitting their
work to a popular vote.
The act of Assembly calling this con-
vention prescribed that it's work should
the present constitution l do not believe
this to be revolutionary and omnipo-
tent body. but convention elected by the
people OF Virginia to revise and amend
the existing constitution. Its members
are the agents of the people and re-
sponsible to the people: and the people
have the indubitahle right to pass upon
their action. / shall see to ii that there
is recorded vote Upon this PROPOSE
ton. and L shall watch the fate of those
members who cherish political aspira-
tions in the future. and who go back to
their constituents after voting to deny
ton of ratlfying o. rejecting the new
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