Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-08-02
THE STATE CONVENTION.

The Constitutional Convention yes
terdsy wac without exciting features.
Almost Immediately after assembling
the house resolved itself into q COM
mittee of the whole and took up con-
siderstion Of the preamble and bill OF
rights.
Col. w. B. Petit, of Fluvanns, the
patriarch Of the convention, spoke for
an hour on the minority report signed
by himself and Mr.. Pedigo, the repub-
licaD member from Patrick. Colonel
Petit Is over eighty years of age, tall,
commanding, with gray bair reaching
below his shoulders. With great
calmness and dignity, and with fire
OF oratory, be made an earnest appeal
for the retention in the bills Of rights OF
these historic declarations which had
been eliminated 10 the majority report.
The speaker eloqueDtly pleaded for the
complete preservation OF the jury
system, without reducing its number
from - He was listened to with
eager attention, and when he took his
seat was loudly applsuded.
Mr.. Green moved that the report OF
the msjority of the committee be read
and considered by sections. This
motion was adopted, and, on motion OF
Mr.. Flood, the com mittee rose and re-
ported to the house.
Mr.. Richmond was on his feet In
a moment after President Goode
resumed the chair, and offered
resolution that when the com.
mittee adjourn on Saturday 1t adjourn
to meet August 81, and that the menu
bsrs and officers draw one weeks pay
10 the interim. Mr.. Richmond spoke
briefly, and Mr.. Braxton moved the
pending question. This was ordered,
aud the roll call was demanded, which
resulted as follows: Yeas, 80; nays, 80.
On motion Of Mr.. Moore, of Fairfax,
the body adjourned till noon today.
There was only one resolution Of
fered-that by Mr.. Hstton providing
that members of city councils and
other boards shall not be eligible for
election to other offices.
A great deal of discussion is going on
outside the convention hall on the ques-
ton of adjournment, and it is believed
the matter will again be taken up
should another hot wave prevail.
The auditor, 10 preparing report
for the constitutional convention, has
discovered that there are 95, 600 white
10 ales and 5000 colored males in Vir-
ginis who pay taxes on property valued
at as much as 5000. He has also made
the surprising discovery that more
females than males pay taxes on thai
| amount.
The report presented by the suffrage
rage committee, aud which seems to
meet with favor among the greatest
number OF its members, was given out
on Wednesday. The features are the
prepayment of captation tax OF $3.50,
and sll cspitation taxes assessed again 81
the voter. Those "who understand
aud can reasonably explain any section
OF the Constitution of the United States
or the State of Virginia can vote" Ic
lieu of this qualification, the voter must
pay taxes on $4,000 of real or personal
prtp,rty.
Zoe suffrage committee last night de-
cided that sll taxes Of every kind must
be paid as prerequisite to voting, and
that the voters must own and pay taxes
on $500 worth OF property of some kind
This, with the adoption of the $3.50 poll
tax, is as far as the committee has dis
pofed Of it's report.
A letter from Richmond says:
Whether the convention takes recess
or not, it appears to be generally con-
coded that It's work will not be submit
ted to the people at the gubernatorial
election In November. Some of the
ablest men 10 the State Insist that with
100 candidates for the Legislature, Gov
ernor, Lieutenant Governor and Attor'
ney General to be elected In November
that is the best time for the submission
OF the constitution. Ga the other hand
| it is poioted out that il many OF the rad
ical measures prepared be embodied 10
the instrument, not only may the con-
stitution be jeopardized, but possibly
the democratic ticket. Some few oil
the most prominent men 10 the conven-
ton favor adopting franchise measure
and adjourning, This, with slight mod
ification, was Senator Daniels position
q short time ago, if it is not now.