The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-07-18
VIRGINIA'S EXPENSE LIST.
Its Reduction n Problem Before the
constitutional COny eDtiOn.

RICHMOND. Va July 1S.-The queS-
ton of reducing the expenses Of the Com
moHwealth was literally and fearleSsly
discussed by members Of the committee
on reduction Of expenses OF the Virginia
Constitutional Convention last night. 4
large crowd Of spectators was present
and heard the deliberations of the body
Some of the members Of the convention
are in favor Of abolishing altogether the
Office of register of the land Office, while
others favor putting 1t under the super
vision Of tie secretary Of the Common
wealth.
Judging from what was said last night,
the number OF judges in the State Is 10 be
reduced Cae member OF the committee
said that a county court Judge ought TO
cover four courts, as that would be Civ
ing him work for each week In the year
The number Of employees at the State
Capitol buildings may be reduced also.
Discussion over the elimination Of the
word Christian from the Bill Of Rights
grows apace. In fact. it now oveTshadows
every other question before the corven-
ton. Yesterdays mail received by the
delegates teemed with protests from all
sections of the State against the Pollard
| resolution.
So great has been the sentiment exerJed
that the committee on preamble and bin
of rights viii in all probabilisy reinsert
| the word in the text Of the document be-
fore il is reported 10 the convention for
| consideration it viii be renaembeTcd
that the committee had decided % eIin2i-
nate the word, but at the next meeting
vote to reconsider viii be taken. This
viii be done it is said. by a large ma
jority.
Many Of the delegates have prepared
speeches on the subject and when it is
considered the convention viii witness
some Interesting discussions.
Judge Bergman Green, chairman Of the
committee, viii give an opportunity for
all who wish TO appear on the question
Already many OF the Methodist pastors
Of the city have expressed themselves a.
| opposed to the Pollard resolution, and
viii make a protest.
The Rev. DR. W e Evans. rector of
| Monumental Episcopal Church, said yes
/ terday that his denomination in Rich
mond would enter a vigorous protest
! against the elimination Of the word
/ Christian and that a formal paper viii
| be presented to the convention.
! \ delegtion Of preachers viii appear be
/ fore the committee this afternoon
/ Several members of the con IGNITION also
1 wish to appear on the subject. and the
/ meeting promises to be the most interest
! ing yet held The report Of the committee
/ viii probably be the first presented 10 the
/ convention.
Delegate Pembroke Petit. the veteran
I member Of the convention. IS preparing
/ an historical summary OF the previous
/ conventions. which viii be used as an in
/ PRODUCTION to the preamble. 1t IS under
/ stood that he severely arraigns the mem
{ bers OF the Underwood convention
! The Rev. George H SpooneS, OF Trinity
I Methodist Church, who on Sunday preach
! ed d strong sermon on the proposition to
eliminate the word Christian from the
/ constitution said last night that he had
no desire TO engage in a controversy re-
! garding his position, bl.' thFt he would
on Sunday reply 10 the interview with
! John Garland Pollard. the author of the
! resolution