The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-08-01
CONSTITUTIONAL
CONVENTION.
Doings Of and Sayings in and About the
Great Virginia Body.

4 petition has been signed by %
members of the convention Tor n recess
of two weeks without pay.
The committees preamble retains the
article of the present Constitution recog-
MIXING that slavery in this State il for
ever forbidden.
There is a growing sentiment among
the members of the convention in favor
of proclaiming the constitution and not
submitting it 10 any electorate.
The Methodist minister's unanimously
adopted resolution protesting in the
name of the 200 900 Method:sts OF Viz
ginia against the appropriation OF public
moneys To sectarian institutions.
Mr.. Wysor presented the first amend d.
ment To the preamble To the I'LL oi
Rights. declaring that the convention
will submit the new Constitution to the
electorate in accordance with the pledges
of the Democratic state convention OF
1900
The most notable of the IL changes
made by the majority report IN the Blll
of Rights of the present Constitution II
that emitting the pledge binding Virginia
to forever remain u member OF the mon
OF States. Judge Green said in making
this omission the committee knew they
would cause howl in the North. Nlr-
ginia. however he pointed out, IL the
only State in the Mon whose COnstitu-
ton contains any such clause. The ma
jority report of the committee, its char
man explained. had adopted M com
promise for the article omitted the exact
language of the sixth section of the Fed
eral Constitution. which declares that
instrument to be the supreme law oi the
land.
The first word in direct debate on n
new Constitution was spoken at Mon
DAYS session. For something over an
hour the delegates listened attentively to
an explanation of the plans for n new
preamble and for certain changes in the
Bill of Rights the most interesting iea-
ture being an argument why many his
toric recitals should be relegated To the
rear and n terse concise document of fun
damental law he adopted, such "a pre-
walls in other States of the Union. There
was a plea also for some modern provis-
ions for iuries OF less than twelve men IN
trial of petty oiienses. and for assertion
of the right OF n citizen To recover com
pensatiOn when damaged in the use OF
his property.
The Baptist won victory over the
combined forces of Methodists and Pres
byterians before the Legislative commit
tee Tuesday when il was decided not to
recommend clause in the new COnsti-
tuition for the incorporation OF churches
Several ministers appeared before the
committee and pleaded both sides OF the
controversy. The members seemed to
fear that churches, if allowed to acquire
property, would become n menace To the
State. The fight will probably be carried
upon the floor Of the convention.
The committee on taxation and finance
has before it plan which some leaders
believe will result, If adopted, in solving
the tax problem Ii is TO leave TO the
counties and cities the taxing Of real and
personal proper for county and city pur-
poses. and TO the State the exclusive right
to levy and collect liquor taxes ard those
derived from corporations, charters. etc.
The plan il To increase the license tax ON
liquor dealers, requiring the railroad and
other corporations to pay increased
taxes in order that the burdens may he
lessened upon those who are less able To
pay. The plan il said to be a popular
one. and when worked out by the taxa
ton committee, may be adopted by the
convention.
MEASURES INTRODUCED.
Asking information for the year 1900
as to taxes by cities and counties derived
from the liquor traffic; il was adopted.
Instructing the committee on cities and
towns TO interfere in their recommends
tons as little as possible with self-gOy-
eminent in cities.
Directing the committee on taxation
to inquire into the expediency OF report
ing an article imposing n tax on incomes
over 81 800 for the benefit OF disabled
Confederate soldiers. The money raised
for this object is intended to supplement
the appropriation OF the General Assem-
bly, for soldiers pensions.
ALABAMA's CONVENTION.
The grandfather clause has been adopted
nv tho convention