Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-09-03
THE CONVENTION.

The constitutional convention held
rather uninteresting session yesterday.
| The feature OF the day was vigorous
speech by former Attorney General Ru-
| fus A. Ayres 10 favor of submitting the
| constitution to the white votes only.
Mr.. Ayers said: 81 believe we should
incorporate in the organic law pro-
vision that will clarity the political at
! mosphere of this state, and for that
purpose l shall vote to submit this con-
sti'ution to an abridged electorate.
II would grant to all persons OF fair
character who understand the duties
of government the right to vote. /
would not require poll tax, property
or utber educational qualification. /
would provide board OF three to deter
mine, on application for registration,
who met these qualifications. would
have those men selected because of their
high aud irreproacbsble character, one
Of opposite political principles from the
other two 10 be appointed by the gov
ernor to fill vacancies. 81 believe this
would practically admit every white
man in Virginia who is now entitled
TO vote. ! would have the interests
OF the negroes coDfded to the only
real friends they have 10 the State Of
Virginia. Composed OF the high ms
terial this board Of registration would
be, l have no doub, that every negro
who was fitted to vote would be honest.
ly admitted aud his vote counted as
cast"
The Underwood constitution, he said,
had been submitted 10 an abridged
electorate, and no man would assert
that there was any moral right which
required that the work OF this conveD-
lion should be submitted to the negroes
of the State.
At the opening OF the session
large number Of memorials we're offered
on Homestead exemptions, restrictions
OF the liquor traffic and appropriations
10 sectsrian schools. No ordinances
were presented.
The single court system, by which II
was proposed to abolish the present
county courts, was practically killed 10
the judiciary committee yesterday
morning, and efforts will be made to
evolve another plan. The vote on Fri
day last was six for this system and four
against. o. the four additional men,
bers present yesterday morning, COL
Summers voted for, and Messrs. Thorn,
Moore, and smith against. This made |
tie, with Judge Robertson, another
opponent OF the plan, absent.
There was general discussion of the |
subject and concilatory spirit Of com.
promise seemed to prevail. Several new
plans were suggested, but no further
action taken. One plan provides for a
monthly system Of courts to be held
by trial justices.and a circuit court. An
other suggests county court of super.
vision of fiscal duties, q district county
court, and circuit court. The indics.
tons are that the court system of the
State will be somewhat modified, but II |
Is more certain that tho monthly county
court, in some form, will be retained.
A strC-g delegation of Bristol law
yers arrived yesterday and appeared
before the judiciary committee last
night 10 opposition to the proposition to
abolish corporation courts 10 cities OF
less tnsn 1880 population. This
would affect Bristol.
Oae Of the items 10 the auditors
tented statement of how the gov
srnor's contingent fund has been spent
Tor the last tWeoty years, which has at
.raoted good deal OF attention, is that
ior pay OF guards at the executive man.
ion. Ex-Governor Cameron, during
whose term the expenditure was made, :
laid yesterday that this was made
necessary by repairs which were being
made to the mansion. The house was p,
undergoing extensive alterations, and /
BEING practically open much OF the I
ime, 1t was necessary 10 keep watch Z
nan to protect the premises. That 9
gas all the guards we're for.
Salvation Oil the best 1infment n