Evening star., 1901-07-27
REDUCING EXPENSES
Reforms in the County and Circuit
Courts of Virginia.
TODAY'S CONVENTION PROCEEDINGS
What is Thought of the Suffrage
Committees Action.
CHANGE IN THE WEATHER
SpeciaI nispatch to The Evening Star.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
RICHMOND. Va, July 2T-The sweeping
recommendation OF the committee on re-
duction of expenses submitted to the con-
stitutional convention today is puzzling the
members of the convention. The body lis
committed to reduction of expenses and
to a reduction of taxes, and that
Chairman Withers and his committee have
"set the pace" some of the members show
evidence of the sIrain, and they are not
yet in the quarter stretch. The report was
not unanimous Messrs. Crismond and VIII
lis stating that they did not concur in all
the recommendations announcing that they
reserved the right to vote on the report as
they deemed best when it was brought back
to the convention for action.
When the members of the body came into
the hall today their appearance indicated
that the change in the weather had been of
s untold benefit: they had slept well, and the
cold wave had served to impart new life to
the wilted perspiring statesmen. Presi-
dent GOOde called the convention to order
at noon Prayer was offered by Delegate
Richard McIlwaine. Eighty members were
reported present.
Reducing Court Expenses.
The Withers report recommends the
abolition OF the county and circuit courts
and the establishment of twenty circuits
to discharge the duties of both courts the
judges to receive SO, 600 salary and $3.50 for
expenses in lieu of mileage; a prosecuting
attorney for each district at a salary of
S,J0o and $50 expenses. In each county
in each circuit no less than three terms
annually and such special terms as may
be necessary to transact business, criminal
civil.
Clerks of courts are to be vested with
probate powers in vacation time. Hust-
ings courts, in cities of less than 1850
inhabitants. are to be abolished, the duties
to be assigned to the circuit court for that
county. The committee recommends that
the above become effective January l.
1904. when county court judges terms ex-
pire. If adopted the following corpora ton
courts Will be abolished: Bristol, Buena
Vista, Charlottesville. Fredericksburg
Manchester, Radford, Stanton and Win
chester. The total number Of judges abol-
ished are: Eight corporation judges, eighty
five county Judges. los county clerks, 10S
common wealths' attorneys eighteen cir
cult judges and the substitution of twenty
Judges and twenty prosecuting attorneys.
Oath for Officers.
Delegate Summers Gepublican) of Wash
ington presented form Of oath for off,
GERS elected in Virginia, which shall be
subscribed to by all officers, to the effect
that no money. liquor or other reward or
promise of reward was made by any can
didate to secure his election, nor by any
friend or supporter for that purpose. United
States senators and represent atves are to
subscribe to the oath.
Mr.. Chapman of Shenandoah presented a
resolution providing that all records and
reports and books relating to the conven-
tion shall be placed in the custody of the
state librarian
Delegate Dunnaway of Lancaster presented
memorial of the Dover Baptist Associa-
tion protesting against the appropriation
or money by the state any city of the
state to any sectarian charity or institu-
under ~ bo
state.
Mr.. Booze of Albemarle presented a me-
mortal relative to the homestead law from
the city of Charlottesville. The memorial
is similar to that presented by Mr. Ander-
son Of Allegheny.
Mr.. Gordon of Richmond presented an
amendment to the preamble and bill Of
rights, which was ordered printed
The session lasted only twenty minutes
The convention adjourned at 1920 o'clock
Break In the Suffrage Committee.
The break In the suffrage committee Is
the talk of the convention today For two
days there were murmurs of dissensions
and when the rupture came few were sur
prised There are twenty-five members on
the committee the republicans being repre-
sented by two members. and on the SUBJ
committee they were not recognized The
subcommittee has twelve members and any
report 1t might have made would have
bound the members to have supported its
angered the minority, and plans were at
once set on foot to have the subcommittee
discharged and allow all the members of
Ine sunrage committee to participate.
Captain George ID. Wise Of Richmond led
the fight, charging. 1t is alleged, that 1t
was an effort to stife the voice Of the
members of the fuil committee, and 1t is
reported that he boldly proclaimed that he
would not submit to any such proceeding
Col j. c. Wysor of Pulaski Is the man
VINO. according TO report, 1t said to have
SuDstantiated the claims and contentious
OF Captain Wise, and for more than two
hours yesterday the battle ragged in the
committee room, resulting In a complete
rout OF the subcommittee, sort OF love
feast and explanatory session following
That Is what is reported here though the
members Of the committee are clam-like
when approached by newspaper men
w neither the reports are true or not ii is
known that the members of the subcom-
mttee have held their last formal meeting.
Senator Daniel the chairman saying yes
terday that the subcommittee would re-
port today, and asking permission of the
convention for the full committee to sit
during the sessions OF the convention
which permission was granted
Just how far the committee has progress-
ed Is not known, but rumor has IL that the
only thing yet agreed on lis the poll tax
provision requiring the payment Of 81 as a
prerequisite to voting.
Popular Elections a Fad.
A member of the convention from the
telllH CONGRESSIONAL VINO Will not
allow his name to be used for publication.
said to The Star correspondent that the
present movement to have all officers elect
ed by the people was nothing more nor less
than fad Said he:
Suppose We elect all of1cers-goyernor
attorney general. auditor treasurer, super
intendent of schools and all others-by the
people, what will be the result? Instead
OF the officers staying at their posts and
attending to their duties, We will see them
all on the stump in the effort to secure re-
election. How has IT been In the present
campaign? While / do not say that Mr.
Montague neglected his duties as attorney
general. Yet he has been absent from his
office good deal. The same thing would
happen IL the other officers had to be elect
ed by popular vote. / am opposed to the
proposition"
Democrats are apprehensive OF the result
or the election in Virginia this fall. The
antf-machine' people are in control a
new state committee will have to do with
the management of the election. and as the
cry has been for honest elections there Is a
disposition among many Of the so-cailed
machine men to let the new element have
absolute control have an honest election
according to their ideas and to let the new
regime have all the credit and oiory r.