Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-06-14
STATE CONVENTION.

Cohsttutionni conNeutioh
on organization, privileges and cleo
tioDs, on reporting and rules were ap-
pointed.
Mr.. Witzers fought to have separ-
ate committee on the method OF con-
Quoting elections, how often ana wnen
they shall be held, but he was defeated.
Eleven pages were provided Tor at
81 per day, TO be chosen from each dig
trict, the republicans being allowed one
from the State at large. Eight assist
ants were allowed at 81 q day, the
salary of the So cretsry, Mr.. Button, be-
ing fixed at $3.50 per month.
Mr.. Waddill offered the following
resolution, which was adopted: Re-
solved, That the secretary OF this con-
vention be instructed to communicate,
without delay, with the clerks OF the
county courts of this State and request
them to furnish the following informa'
! ton for the use OF this body for the
year ended August 81, 1900. The mum
Der OF felony cases commenced, decided,
pending, and the number nolle pressed;
! the number OF felony and misdemeanor
| cases commenced, decided. nolle pressed
and pending and the number of days oil
| the session Of the court. Mr.. Parks OF.
fered resolution asking the secretary
of the commonwealth to furnish codes
l OF Virginia to the members. The reso-
luton was unanimously adopted.
Gov, Tyler addressed the convention,
speaking in part as follows:
"When the bill authorizing the FORM
/ alton OF this body was presented for
my approval as Governor of the Com
monwealth, gave it long and serious
consideration, and, as / affixed my
pane to the bill one Of our clever city
reporters heard from my lips the old
! ejaculation, God save the Common
wealth. Knowing the danger OF care
lessness and negligence at such an I'm &.
portaut epoch in our affairs, and know
| ing the reluctance that has been evinced
among good men 10 the past few years
TO take part In political affairs,
| was lafraid, for the Commonwealth,
of the hands into which this
work might fall. 1t is impossible to
separate the personal equation from
such momentons services, but when l
look into the faces OF this noble body Of
Virginians / feel that my prayerful ex-
preston, when signing the bill, has
been answered and that the Common.
| wealth ia in safe and wise hands.
SIN my inaugural address on the 1st
] Of January, 1898, said Il do not
I understand that the complaint OF the
people is 30 much ct the amount OF
salaries paid as against the number OF
officers the present unsuited coDstitu-
ton allows TO be imposed upon them.
We have become an office-ridden peo
pie. 10 many instances the amount Of
salary is only sufficient to invite a
scramble for the office, while the pay is
not enough to furnish even scsnty
support, The official has to find some
| other means to supplement his income,
| and bis other occupation receives about
all his time, the State and county get
ting but little for the money expend
| ed.
The convention adjourned until noon
on Tuesday in order to give the COM
mittees which were appointed an OPP
portuuity to formulate the plan OF
work, 10 complete the organization
and to select standing committees. To
| do this four committees were appoint.
ed, namely on privileges and elections,
e6nsr HlsBss 81 . rsPopt5nK and puoIlssni o
l organization. The members of these
com mittees will remain in Richmond
and will be ready to report, it is hoped,
when the convention reassem bles.
Pending these reports there was but
little the convention could do.
The four committees all met in the
afternoon. The committee on rules de-
liberated nearly an hour about adopt
| ing the rules that governed the conven-
ton OF 1850, but finally adjourned till 8
o'clock Monday evening. The informal
discussion developed the opinion that
the rules OF the convention OF 1850 must
be supplemented to meet modern con.
ditions. Judge Bergman Green and
others were directed to consult the
rules OF the Alabama constitutional
convention, now 10 session. for any
light they may afford. The committee
on printing and reports adjourned till
5 o'clock Monday afternoon without
accomplishing anything, and the CON-
mittee on privileges and elections. hsv.
ing no formal notice OF contests, like
wise held session without transacting
any business.
The most important of the four CON-
mittees named, that on organization.
held protrscted meeting and it was
decided that Chairman Goode should
appoint the committees of the conven-
ton, sixteen In number. These are as
follows:
Elective franchise and qualifications
OF officers and elections, to be compos.
ed OF twenty-five members, two from
each congressional district aud two to
be chosen at large; preamble and bill Of
rights, judiciary, taxation and finance,
government and organization of coun-
ties, government and organization Of
cities and towns, education and public
instruction, corporations, rules, and
regulations for government OF the con-
ventioD, accounts aud expenses of the
convention, executive department,
ministerial officers and bureaus, public
institutions and prisons, final revision,
privileges and elections, and journal aud
enrolment.
No committee will be less than ten
members, one for each congressional
district. The committees an judiciary,
taxation, education and county govern
ments will each have fifteen members.
Chairman Goode will likely be able
to announce the membership OF the
committees soon after the sessions are
resumed on Tuesday, and then the
convention will he on a eolid working