The Washington times., 1901-07-24
VIRGINIA'S SCE0OL FUNDS
The Present System of Applying
Them to Be Unchanged.
Negroes Not to He Deprived of the
Benefits of Free Educntion-The
Discussion of the Bill of Rights
Draft Expected in Few Days.

RICHMOND, Va, July 25.-The Com
mittee on Education ef-the Constitutional
Convention has decided to report against
dividing the public school fund between
the two races in proportion to the taxes
paid by each. This means that the ne
groes will not be deprived of educational
facilities.
What viii prove interesting to the peo-
pie of Virginia in connection with the
Constitutional Convention will come to
the surface within the next day or two.
Two reports have been presented-the
Bill OF Rights and reduction of eX-
penses-and the first is expected to be
called up certainly not later than Thurs
day. and when that is done the conven-
tion will resolve itself into committee OF
the whole and the debate will begin. ii
ID not known who will speak now or how
many speeches will be made. but oppor-
tunity will be afforded all who desire to
spread themselves -
Two or three committee meetings are
held mornings and evenings, and 1t would
not be surprising to see report from the
Committee on Executive Department
within day or two, certainly before the
end. of the week Whether tn, committee
will endorse the views of the Reduction
of Expense Committee remains to be seen
The suffrage convention today adopted
motion by Colonel Smith, of Alexan-
dria, providing for a subcommittee tSen-
ator Daniel to be chairman) to prepare
as soon as practicable a franchise clause
for submission to the convention, and it
is the general imr-e-=ion that within
week this committee will have something
tangible from the mass of papers which
L. ,lc nf n
ator Glass, on account of sickness, who
has resolution providing for submission
of the work of the convention to an
abridged electorate, causes regret. as tne
members do not desire to be discourteous,
and it may be that the suffrage clause
may be discussed and final action post
poned until Mr.. Glass shall return and
discuss his measure.
The convention was called to order
shortly after noon by President Ioode
Prayer was offered by Delegate T. F.
Dunaway, of Lancaster County. Eighty
three members responded to their names.
Secretary Button laid before the con-
vention a communication in reference to
an enquiry to court clerks as to property
exempted from taxation in the State ana
for what purpose. The tabulated state
ment was ordered printed for the use OF
| the convention. --'-'.
Delegate Blair Republican), of Wythe.
presented the following:
Whereas, in the war between the
States. the Confederate SOldlerS GlSpldye0
a gallantry and patriotism and exhibited
self-denial and fortitude such as the
world had never before seen, and IN
| many Instances neither expecting nor re-
ceiving any compensation. except satis-
faction in their loyalty to a beloved
cause, and
Whereas many of those brave men
were MANNED and crippled in defence OF
that cause, and are at present in INDECENT
circumstances. and
Whereas their State can never forget
or fail to appreciate their loyal devotion:
Therefore be 1t
Resolved by the good people of Vir-
| ginia in convention assembled. That the
| General Assembly Is hereby authorized
and empowered to pass general law ex-
empting from taxation all property OF
permanently disa bled ex-Confederate sol
| diers, not TO exceed S.000 in value"
| Mr.. Chapman offered resolution pro-
yiding that only one commissioner OF
| revenue shall be elected in each county.
4 shall not succeed himself. and that his
| list of property assessed for taxation
shall be posted in each magisterial dis
trict in the county,
aries and are to be elected for term
| of four years.
| Delegate Petit, of Fluvanna, presented
the report of the minority on preamble
and Bill of Rights. which Is concurred In
by Messrs. Pedigo, of Henry, and Hatton.
! of Portsmouth The minority report Is the
| Mason Bill of Rights in its entirety, objec-
| ton being made to all amendments rec
| commended by the majority. The report
was laid on the Ia BILE and ordered printed
| for the use of the members.