Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-07-30
THE STATE CONVENTION.

menced. The convention resolved IT.
self into the committee OF the whole
yesterday and spent an hour 10 dis
cussing the bill of rights, IS reported
by the majority and minority commit
tee, along with amendments made by
various members.
Mr.. Green spoke for the majority re-
port OF the committee. de said The
committee had made no changes 10 the
bill of rights, except those that were
absolutely required by the difference In
The state Of society existing at the time
of the original framing Of the constitu-
ton. The original bill OF rights pro-
vided for judges to be elected for life,
and that of 1850 fixed q certain speci-
fed term-that of 1850 has been re-
tanned.
1.-THE section requiring that the leeis.
lative and judicial departments SHOULD
be kept separate and distinct is more
needed today" he said, "than ever be.
fore 10 the history OF this country"
The words frequent, certain" and In
connection with elections have been
omitted, so as to read regular cleo
tions." The words "free elections" are
thought to express only what Ia
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 pub
liz uses, by saying that mans proper
ty might be irretrievably ruined by the
grading OF street. so that IL was en-
tirely ruined by water being damned
upon it. Yet, as his property was not
taken under the present Constitution
he could recover no damages for bis
injury. By inserting the words "or
damaged" the damaging OF private
property for public uses would be pro-
vided for.
At the conclusion OF Mr.. Green's
speech, Mr.. Flood stated that Mr.. Pet
tit desired to speak on his minority re-
port, but was to we'll to do 30.
A larger number OF resolutions than
usual were submitted yesterday, among
the most important OF which was one
by Mr.. Wysor, against submitting the
Constitution to An abridged electorate.
1t was offered in the nature ofan amend
ment to the Bill of Rights, and it Is
understood Mr.. Wysor will make q
speech on the subject.
Mr.. HUBBARD dissented in long re-
port from that offered by the majority
of the committee on reduction OF ex-
penses, and it was referred.
Mr.. Thomas Z. Moore offered resolu'
ton amending the report of the COM
mittee on Bill Of Rights.
Mr.. Pedigo presented one relating to
taxation, which was referred.
Mr.. Harrison presented one asking
information for the year 1900 as to
taxes by cities and counties derived
from tina liquor traffic; IL was adopted.
Mr.. Iugram offered one against the
abolition of boards OF aldermen in cities.
Mr.. Thorn presented a memorial from
the business men OF Norfolk on the sub
iect of homestead exemptions.
Mr.. Wise laid before the convention
some statistics secured by him from the
Ceusus Department and they will be
ordered printed for use OF the conven-
ton.
The judiciary committee entered on
what seems q prolraoted debate on the
report of the committee on reduction
OF expenses In regard to the organlza'
ton OF the courts.
The event of the session was the uD'
expected and earnest opposition by
Chairman Hunton 10 the adoption Of
auy system of courts which dispensed
with the circuit or county courts.
He contended that the trouble OF the
present county court came from the
personnel of the judges more than any
fault OF the system. He would improve
this by requiring the judges to be
elected by the legislature for tier Of
counties, to hold court once a month
10 each county, to receive q yearly
salary of 81 500. and not be allowed to
practice law, He would restore to the
county courts the same jurisdiction az
they had prior to 1873, and encourage
removal OF causes from these courts Ia
the circuit courts. He strongly criti.
cised the district plan proposed by
Messrs. Meredith and Bennett Gordon,
and said the plan suggested by Mr..
Eggleston was preferable to any other
on that line. From questions asked
the chairman it Is safe to say that be
will be strongly supported by Messrs
Robertson and Thorn. 1t looks like q
flight now along the same lines of the
long contest over the jurisdiction OF the
Supreme Court and the question OF
appeals.
1t Is under stood that every member
of the committee will be heard and
many speeches will be made.
Mr.. O'Flaherty introduced by request
an altogether unique suffrage plan,
which he explained had for its author a
lady In HsrrIsonburg. 1t is as follows:
Every male citizen between the age OF
35 and so yesrs shall payI into the
treasury 81 Capitatlon tax for the edu-
cation Of children and the privilege OF
living in Virginis; the prepayment oil
the 81 by all citizens over 81 years for
the privilege of voting and expenses OF
election. Each voter must be able to
read the contribution OF Virginia and
possess 500 worth OF real estate or a
Virginia bond, both OF which shall be
exempt from tsxstioD-thst is, 800 or
one bond, and 500 worth of personal
property or other bonds that are tax.
able. The property or bonds in wiie's
name shsll enti,le both man and wife to
vote.
| 2 Exemption for the next % years
from articles all those soldiers who have
served in the Federal or Confederate
armies 10 time OF wsr, and their sons,
except such soldiers as receive $40
or more per month In SAL