Evening star., 1901-06-26
Question of an Oath Up Again at
Richmond.
USUAL FLOOD OF RESOLUTIONS
Chairman Goode Names Commit
tee to Reduce Expenses.
BIG ATTENDANCE TODAY

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
RICHMOND. Va. June 28.-When the
Constitutional convention was called to or
Ter at today by President Goode he
announced the appointment of the follow
ing committee on reduction of expenses, as
provided for in the resolution adopted yes
terday: Eugene Withers, James w. Mar
shall. George B. Keezell. r. Lindsay Cor
don. H. F. Crismond. E. w. Hubbard. 8. P.
Waddill, j. NJ. Willis. Joseph Stebbins, Geo.
p. Lowry and A L. Pedijo. The president
laid before the convention an invitation to
attend the annual lawn party at Lee Camp
soldiers Home. Mr.. Gordon of Richmond
introduced the following resolutions:
Prohibiting all members of the Legislature
from becoming candidates for any Office
within one year after expiration Of terms
for which they Were chosen; providing
that the legislature shall pass stringent
laws for the prevention of lynchng, and to
that end shall have the power to provide
for the recovery by the representative of
any person who is lynched of exemplary
damages against the county or corporation
IN which the lynching takes place.
Oath for Omcerx-EIect.
All officers elected by the people shall
before entering upon the discharge of any
official duty take and subscribe the follow
ing oath or affirmation in addition to the
one presented by the present constitution,
that is to say II further solemnly swear
Tor affirm that l have not directly or indi-
rectly paid. offered or promised to pay, or
contributed or promised to contribute, any
money OF other valuable thing consid-
Grafton or reward for the giving with
holding OF any vote at the primary cleo
ton at which was nominated to said office
Ut at the election at which l was elected.
The following other resolutions were pro-
posed: By Mr.. Anderson of Allegheny
Providing for sessions of the general as
sembly once in four years.
BY Mr.. Orr-Proyiding for the appoint
ment by The governor of all judges of the
commonwealth.
BY Mr.. Richmond-To prohibit bribery in
nlections. and making the use of money
se!0ny. and on conviction the giver of a
Irihe is 10 be disfranchised for five years.
BY Mr. Mundy-Proyiding for taxing of
church and ali other property used for
benevolent or secret societies.
BY Mr.. Lindsay-Providing for the cleo
lion of all state officers by popular vote.
BY Mr. Dunnaway-Providipg for the
ducation of whites and blacks separately.
by Hill Carter of Hanover Providing for
4 property qualification of 800 and the
ia yment of poll tax of $50 as pre-
requisite to voting.
BY Mr. Brown Of Bedford: To divide the
c@pitation tax among the school fund. road
Improvement and the support of confed-
crate veterans.
BY Mr. Brown: Requiring voters to be
registered at least sixty days prior to cleo
ton at which they shall vote.
II was l:l3 o'clock when the question of
the oath came. up and the convention de-
clded to consider the matter
Mr. Thorn argued the matter from Ie-
gal standpoint. holding that 1t was compe-
tent for that body to take the oath and
pledge itself to support the constitution
II was obligatory to subscribe the OATH
Question of Oath Up Again.
To swear or not to swear. This was the
momentous question before the constitu-
tlonal convention today when the first set
speeches of the body were delivered
Few apsentees were noted when Mr.
Ayers Of Wise county. in accordance with
mis- notice of Friday, called I'D the Thorn
resolution providing for taking the oath of
office
After stating his reasons for calling I'D
the resolution Mr. AyreS stated that he had
changed his mind on one or more points
ana he desired TO hear the matter discussed
The galleries were densely crowded dur
ing the day. the number of ladies In the
eastern gallery increasing while in the
western gallery the brother in black was
more IN evidence than at any time since
the session began.
The day was warm. though very much
more comfortable than on yesterday.
Governor Tyler was an interested list tener
ID the day proceedings, while outside the
ternity.
When the convention decided to take I'D
the matter Of the oath Mr.. Thorn of Nor
lolk was recognized and began a speech in
support of his resolution quoting many au-
thorities and precedents to sustain his
contention
Mr. Thorn was questioned by Senator
Daniel. Mr.. Cameron. Mr.. Harrison and
Mr. Glass in the course of his speech, re-
plying to all interruptions clearly
Senator Daniel arose at go o'clock and
began reply TO Mr.. Thom's argument