Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-08-24
Report on Contingent Fund May
Never See the Light.
new SUFFRAGE PLAN OFFERED
It Provides for Dividing the EIec-
torate Into Classes.
PRESENTED BY MIR. THOM
Special Dispatch TO The Evening Star.

oe oratOry expected of the constitutional
convention was continued today the
preamble and bill of rights. The galleries
were crowded with visitors, the western
gallery containing a dozen colored people.
President Goode called the body to order
at noon. Prayer was offered by the Rev.
DR. r. ]. Willingham. eighty-one members
being present. Protests against state APP
preparations to any institution not wholly
under state control were presented by Dele
gate Dunaway, from the Rappahannock
Baptist Association, the Methodist minis
tiers of Richmond and Delegate Campbell,
from the Lebanon Baptist Association.
Mr.. Thorn of Norfolk presented the fol-
lowing. which was referred.
Resolved that it is the sense of this
convention that power should be conferred
upon municipalities of this state to exempt
invisible property from municipal taxa
ton"
That Contingent Fund Report.
The committee on executive department
met this morning and spent an hour in the
consideration of business. The report OF
Auditor Marye on the contingent fund was
in the hands of the committee, but it was
not formally considered nor was the seal
broken. The document was carefully
guarded by the vigiant secretary. In
formally the matter was touched upon, but
all reference to what ii rAight or might not
contain avoided with diplomatic skill
The consensus of opinion. as expressed,
was averse to giving the report to the pub
lie.
Judge Marshall gave notice however.
that he would call the report up Tuesday,
but whether it will be considered in open
executive session is not stated. but signs
point TO the exclusion of reporters when
the matter is considered. The committee
adopted the resolution providing that spe-
cial sessions of the general assembly shall
consider only such matters shall be
recomme nded by the governor in calling
extra sessions or in case extra sessions are
called by members the business shall be
restricted to such measures as shall be
designated in the call.
The committee favorably reported the
resolution giving the governor ten days in
which to sign measures pa ssed by the gen.
eral assembly after final adjournment of
that body.
New Suffrage Plan offered.
The suffrage committee had a new plan
submitted today for its consideration. 1t
prepared by Delegate A. p. Thorn of
Norfolk, and has many original ideas. 1t
seeks to divide the electorate into classes.
property holders. the professions. skilled
laborers. common laborers and soldiers.
Common laborers shall be continuously
employed for eight months of the year.
All of the various classes are to prepare
their own ballots. except that soldiers and
their descendants are to be allowed to
have assistance. All persons offering to
vote shall have paid the capitaton tax
prior to offering to vote.
The entire session today was devoted to
nearing speeches on this and other propo-
sitons by George d. WISE Major Ander-
son and Judge Kendall.
1t begins to look though the property
qualification would be defeated, the MEM
bers having felt the pulse Of their con-
stituents during the late recess, and 1t was
found that sentiment was decidedly in op-
position to such course. The committee
Is reported to be far from agreeing, though
1t Is holding daily sessions and is endeav-
oring to solve the most knotty question
presented TO the convention.
Committee of the Whole.
At 1920 o'clock the convention. on mo-
ton of Delegate Petit, went into commit
tee of the whole. and consideration Of the
reports on the preamble and bill of rights
was resumed.
Delegate Stebbins Of Halifax was recog-
niZed. He favored submitting the new con-
stitution to an abridged electorate. He
wanted to see the suffrage in Virginia ele-
waited. Were the present electorate allowed
to vote on the ratification Of the constitu-
ton 1t would precipitate bitter campaign.
He wanted no red shirt campaign in Vir-
ginia. The most intelligent and learned
negroes in the state had appeared before
the franchise committee. They saw and
recognized the necessity for restricting suf-
frage and the elimination of the shiftless
negro from politics. Few people In his sec
ton favored submitting the new constftu-
ton to the full electorate; more wanted the
reference to an abridged electorate while
the sentiment in favor of proclaiming was
growing apidly.
Delegate Dunaway of Lancaster offered
the following. which was briefly discussed
and then Withdrawn by the patron:
Resolved. That the further consideration
or the preambles submitted by the ma
1ority and the minority of the committee
on preamble and bill of rights. together
with the substitutes that have been offered
for the same. be postponed until the con-
stitution shall have been framed, or until
such time as the convention shall elect.
Delegate Harrison's Views.
Delegate Harrison of Frederick followed
He took the exactly opposite view of Mr.
Stebbins favorinS The Wysor amendment
to submit the new constitution to the full
electorate. We had abused George III for
more than 100 years. and now that we were
on pretty good terms with Edward VII
IL was Well To quit reciting history. II il
was the intention TO proclaim the constitu-
ton. then the body should frame an In
strument to suit itself and go home. He
denied that the convention mad the right
TO proclaim a constitution, and quoted Coo
ley TO sustain his contention.
III we rail- to submit the constitution to
the people as at present constituted. we
invite endless litigation with chances favor
ing the upturning of our work by the fed
eral courts. The state courts have no
jurisdiction. Mr.. Harrison said the demo-
Gratis had made a solemn pledge to submit
the work of the convention to the people
and while he thought the passage of the
hfteenth amendment the greatest crime of
the age. yet right, Justice and morals de-
manded that all the people should vote
Inc man whom IL was sought to disfran-
chise had as much right to say he should
vote as the man who undertook to saw the
right should be denied. The white people
or his section could be depended upon were
their rights abridged or trampled upon
At the conclusion of Mr.. Harrison's re-
marks the committee rose, reported pro-
gress. and the convention adjourned at
las pm.