The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-10-18

tust or the eve OF an election Ito be con-
s,dering this question, and it ought not to
have been ecipitated now. He dlslked
to refer TO such matters, but the whole
subject oughtsto have been postponed
During the discussion Judge Campbell
assisted Judge Portlock by instancing
how the consolidation OF the two offices
would not save anything in the way of
deputy sheriffs or deputy treasurers.
Mr.. Withers said the amendment. OF
Judge Portlock, to conrel a county to
have sherifrs and treasurers in counties
like Norfolk, only showed that they We're
not willing to give to the people the right
to say through their representatives
whether they should have 1t or not.
Judge Portlock: Am I not their. rep
resentative here?''
FIGURES PRODUCED.'
Mr.. Withers: 1.-THE personal equation
never enters my mind in debate. I most
respectfully defer to your personal opin-
ion. On this question your people may
wish to change their minds, granting that
you represent them now
Mr. Withers, replying to Mr.. Thornton's
assertion yesterday, that under the old
law, when sheriff and treasurer We're
| combined, the taxes were nothing to
compare with what they are, drew some
| figures. He showed that property in
4
at over three millions of dollars. and in
1900 it was but little over two Millions
He then went on to argue that the peo-
| pie ought to have the right to say what
they wanted. It would be unjust for the
| convention to say to every county you
| shall have these surplus officers to sup
| port, whether you desire 1t or not.
"You may ridicule all you please the
saving of the paltry sum of $4,000 as
l ta~r Int he a n ref
watching and patiently waiting to see
| what you are going to do.
| Mr.. Withers referred to- Judge Han
| cock as quivering like an aspen leaf in a
| storm at the bare mention of looping off
| officers.
The amendment offered by Judge Port
| lock was rejected.
MR.. STUART'S IDEA.
| Mr. Stuart offered to amend by allow
| ing counties having sixteen thousand in
| habitants to continue the offices of treas
! urer and sheriff if they saw fit.
| Mr. Stuart made a strong plea for his
I. amendment The amendment was re-
| jected.
Judge Kendall offered an amendment of
! twelve thousand. At this point Colonel
| Petit took the floor and made a most
| vigorous speech against the whole propo-
! ton He SAID there had been no intima-
| ton from the people of any such desire
| for combination of the Offices. His peo-
| pie did not wish it. 1t was all an as
! sumption of Mr.. Withers. In trying to
make a sheriff perform the duties Of
| treasurer he was in effect saying man had
| to work with a chisel when he only knew
| how to use a. hoe
He declared that he could not Tor
moment believe that the convention
would think Of such a thing as infictins
/ such an injury upon the people
The amendment of Mr. Barham, eX-
| cepting counties of 600 population, was
| rejected.
Mr.. Manly Barnes moved to strike OUT
| thirty thousand and insert three thou
sand.
He made hot speech against the With
| ers substitute. He said his people OF
New Kent would only save three hun
| dred dollars by the consolidation and
! they had rather do that than be put to
! the Inconvenience which would result
| from having one officer attend to the
duties of both offices.
! He claimed that Mr.. Withers was try
| ing to give privileges to big countles
that he would deny to small county: II
| that was Democracy, Good Lord deliver
me from it and make me Republican
| to-day" shouted the fervid orator at the
| top of his voice.
AS TO THE SHERIFFS.
He then referred to the great power
| the sheriff would have and said he could
| crack his whip over the members Of tie
| Legislature and secure much greater al
| Itwances than the treasurers now got
81 pray you not to ram this dose down
the threats of my people, eloquently c,-
| claimed the speaker, in conclusion. Tho
| amendment was rejected. Judge Kendall
moved to insert twelve thousand. Ike
jected.
| Captain Parks offered an amendment
| allowing the Legislature to create the
| Two Offices wherever the business inter.
| ests demanded it.
The amendment was rejecte6-year, 10;
| nays, 40.
| Judge Harrison withdrew his am end.
| ment. striking out the provso.
/ The vote was then taken on the sue.
stitute offered by Mr.. Witllers to consoil
! date the offices of sheriff and treasurer,
and it was rejected by a vote of-ytaa.
| 20; nays, sc.
The committee then arose and repo' ted
| progress to the convention, and it ad-
/ journed until 10 o'clock to-day.