The Washington times., 1901-07-30
THE REAL WORK STARTING
Virginia's Convention Meets in
Committee of the Whole.
The Discussion of the Reports on
the Bill of Rights Prevented by
the Illness of Mr.. Petit. of the
MinOrify-The Judiciary Changes

RICHMOND, Va, July 2S-The most
salient feature Of today's session of the
Constitutional Convention was the dis
cussion over the resolutions offered by
Mr.. Wysor against submitting the consti-
tuition TO an abridged electorate The
papers were in the nature of amendments
to the report of the Committee on Bill of
| Rights
Mr.. Ingram presented a resolution re-
questing as little interference as possible
with the right of local self government
granted to the cities and towns of the
State, these cities and towns not to. be
deprived of any privileges until the ques-
tion shall have been submitted 10 the
! people.
A memorial on the subject of homestead
exemptions was presented by Mr. Thorn,
of Norfolk
The consideration of the report of the
Committee on Bill of Rights followed, am
several papers were reported by the ma
jority and minority of the committee.
MIR. Flood had read the minority report,
offered by Mr.. Petit and signed by
Messrs. Petit and Pedigo.
Mr.. Green then took the floor to speak
for the majority report of the commit
tee. The chairman moved over in front
force and earnestness.
He said the committees had mrde no
changes in the Bill of Rights. except those
that We're absolutely required by the diff
Terence in the state of. society existing
now and that existing at the time of the
original framing of the constitution.
The word unalienable was changed to
inalienable, because while used by the
great author of the Spectator it is OBJ
solete today.
Twelve sections out of the sixteen re-
main entirely unchanged except in this
respect
The original Bill of Rights provided for
judges to be elected for life and that of
1850 fixed a certain specified term, and
that of 1880 has been retained.
The section requiring that the legisla-
tive and judicial departments should be
kept separate and distinct is more need
ed today than ever before in the history
of this country. f-.
The words frequent, certain, and,' Ill
connection with elections, have been
omitted so as to read regular elections -
The words free elections" are thought
TO express only what Is a self-evident
right of the people under our theory of
government.
The speaker illustrated the meaning of
adding ''or damaged to the section re-
lating to condemning property for public
uses by saying that mans property
might be irretrievably ruined by the grad
ing of a street, so that 1t was entirely
ruined by water being damned upon it;
yet, as his property was not taken un-
der the present constitution he could re-,
cover no damages for his injury BY in
serting the words ''or damaged" the dam
aging of private property for public uses
will be provided for. l.-.-,-..
At the conclusion of Mr.. Green's speech
ME-. Flood stated that Mr. Petit desired
to speak to his minority report. but was
too unwell to do. so today.
The committee, on motion of Mr.. Flood,
rose and reported progress TO the house
and that body. at 1:35 o'clock p. m. on
motion of Mr.. Dunaway. adjourned until
noon tomorrow.
The following resolution was intro
duced by Mr. Pedigo:
Whereas. by an act of Assembly of
Virginia, approved March Z, 1900 and en-
titled An act to give aid to soldiers, sail
ors. and marines disabled in the war be-
tween the States and f rs
Whereas no adequate appropriation
has been made or ways and means pro-
vided for carrying out the provisions. of
said act of Assembly: Therefore be it
Resolved. That the Committee on Tax
alton be instructed to enquire into the adj
of levying a special tax on in
comes of over $500 per annum. sufficient
to discharge the obligations of said act
of Assembly
Thomas L. Moore introduced the fol-
lowing:
.'On page of Report ls Committee on
Preamble and Bill of Rights strike out
and insert in lieu thereof the
-.--t .a-
we, therefore. the delegates Of the
good people of Virginia, so elected and
in convention assembled, do propose to
the electorate of Virginia as constituted
on the 5th day of March, 1900. to be rati-
fled or rejected by majority of said
electorate voting upon the question of
ratification or rejection" the following
form of government. "
By Mr.. Harrison:
Resolved. That the Auditor of Public
Accounts be requested to inform the con-
vention, by counties and cities the num-
Der and kind of liquor licenses granted in
each and the amount paid thereon. Also
other than liquor for the year 1890"
The judiciary Committee devoted its
session this morning to a discussion of
the system Of courts. The heat was so
oppressive in the committee room that
after an hours session it moved to the
Senate chamber.
The event of the session was the unex-
peated and earnest opposition by Chair
man Hunton to the adoption of any sys-
TEN of courts which dispensed with the
circuit or county courts. 1t was the
first time the whole session that Mr.
Hunton has essayed the role of a speech
maker. For an hour he held the close
attention of the committee.
He contended that the trouble of the
present county courts came from the
personnel of the judges more than any
fault of the system. He would improve
this by requiring the judge to be elected
by the Legislature for tier Of counties,
to hold court once a month In each coun-
ty, to receive a salary of $l.5Ot and not
be allowed to practice law. He would re-
store to the county courts the same ju-
risdiction as they had prior to 1873 and |
encourage removal of causes from this |
court to the circuit courts. He strongly !
criticised the district plan proposed by |
Messrs Meredith and Bennett Gordon, |
and said the plan suggested by Mr.. Eg |
gleSton was preferable to any other on |
that line. From questions asked the !
chairman. it is safe to say that he will |
be strongly supported by Messrs. Robert |
son and Thorn. 1t looks like fight now |
along the same lines of the long contest |
over the jurisdiction of the Supreme |
Court and the question: of appeals.
Mr. Meredith spoke for an hour prior to |
Mr.. Hunters speech. He explained the |
provision of his bill which contemplates
fiscal anu tiduciary county court /
to be held by supervisors or justices of |
the peace system of district courts /