Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-08-03
THE STATE CONVENTION.


until August 20, with half pay. He
was stopped by the call oil the pending
question, but the leaven was working,
and by the time the discussion Of the
pending question was over the resoln-
ton was voted on and passed By vote
OF AZ to 35.
Senator Daniel renewed his request
for the Suffrage Committee to meet
during the recess, and 1t was granted.
1t hsd been prophesied for some days
that the convention would adjourn I'M
til after the democratic convention In
Norfolk, and, Notwithstanding the
adverse votes, the knowing ones have
stuck to the opinion. 1t will be a great
relief to the suffrage committee, who
are handicapped by the party pledge at
the last convention. The coming con-
vention will construe the pledge OF the
last one, and will relieve this committee
OF a sore responsibility.
Mr.. Wysor, OF Pulaski, made speech
In the committee of whole in opposition
to submitting the constitution to an
abridged electorate.
Judge Green endeevored to sidetrack
this phase of the discussion, but on a
point raised by Mr.. Wysor that he had
secured the floor On Thursday he was
Recognised by Chairman Turnbull, and
proceeded with his argument. His
speech was powerful arrsignment OF
those who desire to submit the work OF
the convention to an abridged electo-
rate, or who want the instrument pro
claimed.
He took the ground that there was
no authority for either course 10 con-
stitutional law, and that it was simply
the province of the convention to pro-
pose, and not to make new instrument.
BE declared that the. act calling the
convention had provided that the 10.
strument should be submitted to the
people, and declared: 1--WE have be-
hind that the gentleman from Appomat.
tox, and behind the gentleman from
Appomattox we have Chief Justice
Marshall oil the United States Supreme
Court" He read from his campaign
announcement to his constituents prior
to the election, stating that he would
not come to the convention as partl-
san, or willing to agree to any constitu-
ton which was not submitted to the
people for ratification.
'Shall we submit the constitution to
an abridged electorate?n he asked. VI
should prefer your proclaiming 1t than
to submit 1t to an abridged electorate.
I should despise it in either case, but
should prefer bowling TO an oligarchy to
having to acknowledge fealty TO spec
ial political class.
III say to the people from the back
countless" shouted the speaker, -"thai
they need meyer expect me, under the
| fear of negro domination, to take away
the vote az single man 10 my section
Mr.. Wysor dealt with every phase Of
the question in an able and fearles;
manner, aud was often loudly ap'
plauded.
MIR. Portlock, OF Norfolk, presented
a franchise plan, probably the twentiet
now before the committee on suffrage
This provides for oapitation tax OF :.
or $500 worth of property, real Of
personal. From these requirement.
iMr. P1rtlock proposes to exempt al
persons who can read and write 10 the
English language any section oil the
constitution OF Virginia.
A resolution allowing oystermen tt
sell their products In cities without TAI
was presented by Mr.. Bristow.
President McIlvaine, of the Hamp
den-Sidney College, submitted reso
luton prohibiting the Legislature from
appropristing any money to any educa
tional institution which does not main
tain high code of morals.
Mr.. Withers, from the committee or
reduction OF expenses. submitted re-
port. This recommends that In coun.
ties OF less than 10000 the Sheriff shall
collect taxes, and in counties in excess
OF that the office OF tressn:er may be
created. Commissioners OF revenue, II
recommends, shall be appointed, and
shall received salary and not COM
missions.
The president of the convention sub
| mitted q statement OF thei.number oil
male citizens of the commonwealth pay
ing taxes on as much as $500 worth Of
real property In the year 1900. The
totals are 1862 white, S,144 colored;
grand total, 103,S06. Bath, Bedford,
Bland, Buchanan, Carroll. Craig, Dick
insop, Grayson, Highland, Lee, Scott,
Warren, Wise and Buena Vista city
are the counties where there are no
coIored people who own so much pro-
perty. There are 6S0in Norfolk county
which is highest; ALI 10 Henrico, 374 10
Eliza beth City county and 547 in Rich.
mond city. The highest number OF
whites in any county Is 1888, 10 Au2us-
IA: the smallest Is 70, in Dickinson.
Richmond city has the largest number
OF all, that being 5,216. The smallest
number 10 any city lie 9l-Williamsburg.
The figures are very Interesting.
Judge Harrison, the member from
Frederick, appeared before the judiciary
com mittee yesterday and explained his
judiciary plan. This abolishes the
county court system and provides for
| 10 circuit courts. 1t makes the clerk OF
the court probate Judge. Police and
fiscal Jurisdiction ia gwen to board OF
supervisors. The circuit judges ere to
| receive 81, 500 and mileage. Arrange
ments are made for not less than four
terms of these courts annually.
While the suffrage committee has
permission to sit during the recess OF
the convention, it Ia said that there is
very little chance OF any meeting being
| neld before the convention resssembles.
II is said that it will be impossible to
get the committee together.
The suffrage como ittee held pro-
tracted session yesterday morning,
which was devoted to an appeal by
Senator Daniel 10 behalf of the plan
which he submitted come two weeks