The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-06-20
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

The executive committee of the Anti |
Saloon League, of Richmond, has been
discussing the advisabiity OF going be-
fore the Constitutional Convention To
have the present laws regarding the
licensing of saloons changed.
II is understood that ex-Congressman
r. r. Thorpe, of Mecklenburg, and MT
NJ. A. Coles will appear for Mr.. Treat IN
his contest with Judge Gregory, while
the contestee will he represented by
Messrs. II. st. George Coalter and Horace
Il. Buchanan.
The fact is more apparent that the ma
ioritv of the delegates to the Constltu-
tional Convention are advocates oi MI
Montague to the GOvernorship. The
president and the president pro TEN are
opposcd to MIR. SWANSON and 1t ~ De
lieved that all the other officers are LOT
Mr.. Montague. with the exception OF Mi
Button. who is an EchOls man.
There is going to be much delay agree
inp unon suffrage clause. Ii is difficult
10 find two men of exactly the same lnlnd
as to what the restrictions should DE.
Whether or not it would he safer To get
rid of tine undesirable negro vote by II
nropertv or an educational qualltcation
i n knottv problem. Improperly quail
;Gcation has some strong advocates ana
those who wish To sec II adopted clallll
that their side is gaining in strength. IL
is not proposed tn disiranchise any whlte
man. The proposed property hoidihg
provision like the education would he 80
framed as not To apply To any person
who mad right to vote prior To the
abortion of the Underwood constitution
nor the descendants of such persons
From the views of many OF the dele
gates il seems that the sword OF Damo-
cles overhangs the oilicehOlders, or some
of them. to say the least. Everybody II
in favor of cutting down expenses-oi re-
trenching. of ccOnOmiZlng OF watching
Virginia. dollars. and seeing that none
of them are wasted. Just how these
glorious results will I've accomplished, no
one seems prepared to say. The general
idea is that the application of the par
simoniOus axe (pardOn the change OF
metaphor) to few unfortunate official
heads will do the business. In the llght
of these direful threats there IL one uni
yersal query-tO wit: Whose heal VIII
get the axe? Every faithful oiiiceholder
hopes and prays twill be the other fellow.
Richmond Dispatch.
4 reference To the luscious oyster beds,
To the Juicy and fragrant tobacco, To the
mineral springs was included IN hasty
glance at the State splendid resources,
and the sentence that 1.-THE vast expanse
of brush and broomsage should he made
IN bloom again" and that every barren
acre is blot on the State and should be
erased" were examples OF the vigorous
English that the Governor employed.
The patient il on the table, he added
moment later and the knife IL in your
hands. Let the operation he both skill
full and expeditions"
When a great sound of haAdclapping
weled up in the ancient hall at the con
clusion Of the Governors speech and al
most before he had disappeared in the
rotunda without, Delegate Parks, OF
powerful voice, was on his feet with n
resolution of thanks to his EXcellency.
but Delegate Thornton speedily proposed
an amendment that the Governor be al
lowed the liberty of the floor. \ loud
announcement of aye pissed this
promptly.
The Constitutional Convention reas-
sembled Tuesday, hut was in session
only one hour. The committee on or
ganizatiOn made its report, which was
i'm accordance with the one already
- fhaf ainbf
adopted as the number to serve the con
vemtion instead of II. Ii was discov-
cred that the convention could not pro
coed conveniently until the plan was
printed, and adjournment was taken for
that purpose. Col. Summers, the Repub-
lican member from Washington county,
placed himself on record in regard To
taking the oath He presented certiti
cate showing that he had taken the oath
prescribed for members of the Legislature.
properly certified before Judge ). Is. Witt,
of Richmond. lie asked that the certiii-
cate be placed on record. Delegate Clag
gett Is. Jones, of King and Queen. at-the
request of Marshal Treat, who is con
testing the seat of Judge Roger Gregory.
of King William, presented the formal
notice Of contest. which was referred to
the committee on privileges and cleo
tions. President GOOde laid before the
convention n comm dnicatiOn from the
Constitutional Convention of Alabama
sending greetings The president of the
convention transmitted reply. Ii costs
the State of Virginia about $500 or
81, 900 week to pay for the framing OF
new constitution. President GOode is
to receive - day during the sessions.
One hundred members receive - day
and expenses which is $500 week
for that alone. Then there are the clerks,
nine in ALL including Clerk Button, who
receives $204; the eight pages at 81
day, janitors, messengers, doorkeepers,
sergeant-at-arms, stationery, water and
reporting the proceeding. A committee
representing the Negro Educational and
Industrial Association of Virginia, an
organization perfected at charlottesville,
Va. August -, 1900, and whose object
is the betterment of the condition of the
colored people industrially, financially,
socially, morally and politically, is in
Richmond for the purpose OF appearing
before the State Constitutional COnven-
ton and its committees to make an
appeal in behalf OF their race especially
in the matter Of suffrage and the public