The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-27
THE QUESTION OF
WHO SHALL VOTE
This Is Raised AS to New
Constitution.
MAY CHANGE RULES
Movement 10 Force a Nomination
For the Judgeship.
QUIET DAY AT THE CAPITOL
QUIET DAY AT THE CAPITOL
Many Members .yero Either Out Of
tho City or Confined TO Their
Rooms from the Effects OF the
Grip Conference Commit
tee Will Meet To-Mor-
row Morning.

A very interesting question has arisen
as to who viii have the right to vote for
or against the Constitution that Will be
adopted by the convention which the Leg
islature is soon to provide for.
The State Democratic Convention at
Norfolk last May declared in favor of
submitting the new organic law to the
people for ratification. and this viii,
doubtless, be done, though it is generally
conceded by the ablest lawyers in the
General Assembly that the conven-
ton can declare the instrument it
shall draft to be the Constitution
of the State without approval by the
electors if the body chooses to do So
The convention can, also, according TO
able lawyers. decide that only the voters
who will be qualified TO exercise the right
OF suffrage under the new Constitution
shall vote TO accept or reject the
work of the Constitution There IS
precedent for this, 1t asserted, IN the
actions Of the conventions of 1e23 atd
1856. The convention can do almost
:ls ii pieaSes, but there is no reason
able doubt that the body viii make
provision for its work to be passed upon
by the people at the polls. There Is an
Enthusiastically strong sentiment among the
members OF the General Assembly IN
favor of shutting out all persons who
will be disqualified TO vote under the new
organic law.
THE JUDGESHIP CONTEST.
II is quite certain that the Democratic
caucus will make a nomination. fer judge
of the Court of Appeals tomorrow night.
Most Of the members are in no humor to
prolons the struggle They have beer
button7holed and argued with until they
are sick and tired of the contest
When the conference convenes an
amendment to the rules viii be offered.
This will provide that when q candidate
t!as been twice dropped he cannot De
again voted Tor. This ought 70 force a
nomination after six or seven ballots.
The situation as regards the candidates
remains. unchanged As far rs could
be ascertained last night there has beer
no break i'll the ranks of any aspirant
No combinations have been formed. and
none are likely TO be formed II would be
impossible for any candidate TO deliver
his vote anything like solidly to any one
of his opponents.
Nearly all the members of the caucus
who were seen said Judge Whittle would
certainly be one of those in the race at
The finish. but they were not at ali agreed
as to who would be the man that would
fight him TO a finish.
Wy HAL LEADERS S-a1
Colonel George Wayne Anderson stated
that he thought Judge Whittlc would
show up stronger Monday night than at
The first session of the caucus. Tie Col
onel is fully convinced that the Henry
county jurist viii finally win out.
Senator Flood believes that he has a
sure winner in Judge Mann: Delegate
i>ollEes thinks Judge Phlegar will un-
questionaby pull through while Sen
that iorpnIiG' stock
is on a healthy rise.
The proceedings OF the caucus 1O-mor-
row night Will be of unusual interest
First Mil come the fight over the chang
ing Of the rules. This motion will be re-
sisted by the supporters OF one or more
candidates. but it Us likely TO be adopted
Then there viii be some exciting ballot
ing.
In the event that the caucus shall fail
10 nominate. some members are in favor
OF taking up the subject no more, but
leaving the election TO the General AS
sembly. TO be elected next fall
THE CONVENTION BILLS.
AS exclusively forecasted III The Times
yesterday, the Committees Of the two
Houses ON Privileges and Elections did
not go into the consideration OF the con-
yention bills yesterday. Most OF the mem
be!s spf the TWO bodies We're in the Senate
chamber at 10 O'Clock in the morning
bur, IN view OF tlle suggestions thrown
out iu the caucus, the committees We're
Immediately adjourned. II the caucus
shall dispose of the judgeShip matter in
time tomorrow night, the convention
measures will be considered. 1t is p1ob-
able, however. that q special session will
be called for this purpose.
Delegate George Wayne Anderson VIII
r1resent a convention bill. II Will provide
TOR the election of tHo delegates from
each Senatorial district, and nine from
the State at large. The other provisions
are practically the same as those con
tainel in Tie Flood bill.
The general opinion as expressed is that
the Flood bill with, perhaps, some
amendments, Will he passed.
MANY WERE ABSENT.
Many members of both branches OF tlle
Legislature were ont OF the city yester-
day. Some went to their homes to remain
until Monday. Several took Il Tip to Old
Point and u few iourncyed TO Washing
ton a score or more senators ana dele
gates are victims OF The grip, and several
are confined 10 their rooms.
WILL MEET TOMORROW.
The committee of conference on the
disagrceing vote with reference TO what
legislation shall be considered at this eN-
;ra session Will mold a meeting tomorrow
morning. 1t is generally believed that
this committee will report in favor Of the
House receding from its position and
concur in the Glass resolution, which pro-
yides that there shall be no general leg
issIation considered as 10 which there is
substantial objection. except such as re-
iatcs TO the Constitutional Convention,
and that no local or private bills which
meet with substantial objection shall be
acted upon. Ia the event this matter is
not settled by the Senate and the House
Monday il is probable the subject will re-
cciye. the attention Of the caucus Monday
night. Should the caucus act upon this
question the general legislation scheme
Will be defeated The Glass resolution
3.caseu the senate with only five dissent
ing votes. and the majority against it in
the House was Very small.