The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-12-08

seeking the pardon OF sons in the peni-
tentiary,L have returned home. Both
have Ifled~le1gth@ documents with the
Governor and, have now gone to their
homes. His Excellency will act on the
petitions as soon as possible. Their meet
ing here was singular in the extreme.
They renewed the old friendship and re-
turned to their homes in the Southwest
together. H
The story of the meeting of these two
mothers has excited great d al of in
terest here. II is an incident with a de-
cided human side. The Two young men
who have such earnest advocates with
the Governor for their pardon are Henry
Horton aged tyenty-four. and William
Hartsook aged thirty They have long
been out in the world to Shift for them
salvcs but have not outgrown the love
of their mothers. who are advancing in
years.
Horton has been at the penitentary
since April of this year. He was con-
victed of aiding and abettins a murder
and sentenced to five years confinement.
His record at the prison has been excel
lent.
years TO serve. He has been at the peni-
Tertiary since early in 1900 The charge
against him is malicious assault.
If the Governor can find himself able
to do So he may include these young men
in the number Of conricts lie usually par
dons at Christmas.
THE CONSTITUTION AMENDED
GovernorTyler yesterday issua two pro-
carnations. both regarding amendments
to the Constitution Of The. State The
first proclamation Of the Governor an
nounces the ratification and present
force of the amendment TO Article x OF
the State Constitution with reference
to the tax imposed on any Of the citizens
of the State for the privilege of taking
or catching oysters from their natural
beds with tongs in TIE waters thereof.
and striking from SAID, Article X Of the
said Const tuition the second clause ap-
proved March 5, 1ACG.'
The second clause stricken out from
the Constitution reads as follows: Arti-
Gle X, section Pho tax shall be i'm
posed on any OF the citizens of this State
for the privilege OF taking or catching
oysters from their natural beds with
tongs in the waters thereof: but the
amount Of sales of oysters so taken bv
any citizen in any che year may be tax
ca at a rate not exceeding the rate of
taxation imposed upon any other soecies
OF property
lttle second proclamation has to do with
amendments to sections l and OF ar
ucle of the Constitution of Virginia
providing for the consideration OF the
spring elections for the county and dis
trlct officers. held on the fourth Thursday
IN May, and providing said elections to
oe held on the Tuesday after the first
Monday in November. 1901
Both amendments, having been duly
ratified, are declared by the Governor
to IT, in force from this day.
DEMOCRATIC NEGRO PERsECITTED
OllVer Houston, the negro teacher of
WISE county. is again in trouble He has
now gone over into Gil county and rot
ten school, but his prosecutors have
followed him and lave Increased their
numbers. He was driven from he
school inWise county because he voted
tor CONGRESSMAN Rhea. The patrons
withdrew their children and then the
State Board closed. the school. and it
is closed to-day. The negro teacher rs
Democrat. He is a martyr for his
nolitics He has now gotten school
in Giles county and is followed by the
White Republicans Of Wise and Giles
with their persecution.
He writes to Dr. SouthGll from Egg:
gleston Giles COUNTY IS follows:
Because of my politics and the way I
cast my vote my life has been threat
ened here, and I have been stoned and
abused several times There are those
who have taken the pains to follow ii
ter me with their reports of my political
action here and in Wise county to Kill
my influence for good as a teacher
Again he saws: ..The School Board
of this district requires 10th white ana
colored patrons Of the schools to furnish
their owntfuel. Mine will not assist me
in DOING .hi- having been told by some
of the Hundred and Twenty-nine n Sc
cret organization composed principally OF