The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-07
The Senate Finance Committee Con-
siders the Subject.
SENATOR FLOOD HAS RESIGNED,
Gives Up the Commonweal,h's Attors
neyshin-Nir. Saunders and the
Contest for Judge Whittle's
Old Plnce-A Column Of
Notes of Legislative
e w S.

of the General Assembly will begin to-
day if Senator Glass, of Lynchburg. does
not withdrawn his amendment to the
Constitutional Convention bill providing
that the formulated Constitution shall be
submitted to the people for ratification.
The amendment provides that only the
persons qualified to vote under the terms
of the new Constitution shall vote on the
question Of ratification.
1t is this feature of the amendment that
proyol5es most serious opposition. A
Southside Senator said last night he
would make a determined fight against
such an amendment. Another senator,
who has all along been most prominent
in the struggle for constitutional reform,
also declared he would oppose the amend
ment. There appears every reason to pc
leve it win be defeated
The constitutions framed by the con-
vention of 1S29-'3p, and by the convention
of 1850 We're submitted to the people for
ratification. but only the voters qualified
under the proposed constitutions were al
lowed to vote on it.
1T would be absurd to talk about sub
mitting to a vote of all the people a con-
sttution which disfranchised a third of
ton. in beginning a speech. which an early
adjournment yesterday prevented his fin
ishing. The view of the Charlotte Sena-
tor seems to be that of Senator Glass and
those who back him in Offering the
amendment which he viii! present to-day.
The majority of the legislators do not
forget that it is the opinion of q majority
of the best lawyers that the constitution
may be proclaimed by the convention
hain S,rh toT b.a
lowing is the declaration OF the Demo-
cratic State Convention Norfolk re-
garding the subject:
when such constitution shall
have been framed it shall be submitted
to a vote of the people for ratification or
rejection. and the Democratic party
pledges that the expenses incident to a
constitutional convention shall be kept
down to the lowest possible figure
Hon. Hal. D. Flood. member of the Sen
ate from AppomattoX, sent in his resisna-
ton yesterday as Commonwealth Attor-
ney of that county. The resignation was
sent to the judge OF the County Court.
That official will appoint Mr.. Samuel Fer
gusson to the position made vacant by the
resignation OF Mr.. Flood.
Mr.. Flood, who is Congressman-eIect
from the Tenth District, viii take his
seat on the 4th of March. If an extra ses-
sion of Congress be called. He will re-
sign from the Senate in that case. but not
until after the end of the present session.
Mr. Floods friends can only hope that
his career in the National House of Rep
resentatives may be as useful as his career
in the State Senate.
Sneaker E. w. Saunders, who only an
nounced his. candidacy for judge of the
Fourth judicial Circuit on Tuesday night,
is receiving the most tatterins endorse
menrS from members of the bar through
out the circuit. Upon his return here
from Franklin Court, Tuesday evening, he
found a large stock OF letters from promi-
nent lawyers in the circuit, assuring him
of their support should he decide to run.
The entire bar OF A1.ertnsviile have en-
dorsed him, while he has his own county
OF Franklin solid. He has the support of
a large majority of the bar OF Fittsylvanla
and a number OF strong lawyers IN Dam
vile, Patrick, .Lynchburg Gnd other sec
tions CT the circuit have written him ten
derins their assistance. He has made no
effort in this line, and is very proud OF
the fIsttering assurances that have come
to him unsolicited. The Speaker is sure
he will be the nominee OF the caucus, and
that he is the choice of a majority OF the
lawyers of the circuit
Every Senator and delegate found on
his desk yesterday "a Memorial TO the
General Assembly, OF Virginia from the
city OF Danviue, Va, presented through
1re President of the Senate and The
speaker of the House of Delegates, with
the request that 1T be read from the
clerks desks.
The inemorial prays the General AS
sembly to- enact such legislation as may
be necessary to the prevention OF dis
crfrriration by tile Southern Railway in
rates against Danyille. The memorial
AYERS that DarNilie mercha-i ats cannot
now get the freight rates Which are given
those of Richmond ana Lynchburs. 1t is
asked that the General Assembly re-
enact section 120S :of the Code OF 1857 and
give to the citizens of Danyilfe "a remedy
in the courts of the State against The al
legged wrongs of which they complain.
The petition is signed by the following:
The CITY of Dsnvil1e, Va, by Robert
Prydon, c,erl of Council; the Business
Mems Association, by Jno. w. Carter.
president; Jas. w. Garter, secretary, the
Danv:4le Fotacco Association. by O.
Wemple, president, and large number of
business men.
fact that the memorial was not for
wsirtied TO the Senator and delegates re-
presenting Danville.
A lively debate is liable to take place
in the Legislature over a bill which will
be presented in the House to-day, the
objects OF which are not neW printed. at
the request OF the patron. The bill. while
general in its nature and one that will
stir up great opposition. is yet held to
be Of sweeping Importance to the State,
and its patron is one Of the gamest fight
ers in the General Assembly. It's fate
will be watched with much interest by
the people, as it is upon a subject that
has been live issue in Virginia for the
past three or four years
Messrs Matthews and nottingham are
among the most watchful members OF the