Evening star., 1901-07-30
TALK OF ADJOURNING
Some Delegates to Virginia ConVen-
tion Anxious for Recess.
PROPOSAL OPPOSED BY OTHERS
Hot Debate Precipitated Today by
the Resolution.
NEW TAX LAW PROPOSED

RICHMOND, Va, july SO.-A nOOoe Oh
oratory began in the constitutional con-
vention today when the adjournment prop
osition was sprung. For more than two
hours the statesmen gave their views,
some of the speeches being bright and en-
tertaining.
Mr.. Turnbull of Brunswick presented a
resolution looking to an adjournment Au-
gust to August 20. He asked immediate
consideration of the resolution.
Mr.. Meredith of Richmond offered an
amendment fixing the date for reassem-
bling at September II, the members not to
draw any pay.
Mr.. Meredith strongly urged the adoption
Of his amendment. The convention, he said,
had done earnest and faithful work de-
spite criticism. The recess would serve to
refresh the delegates and they could do
better work on their return
Delegate Wysor of Pulaski concurred in
the views expressed by Mr.. Meredith.
Mr.. Braxton Of Augusta opposed the reso-
luton. If an adjournment were to be taken,
why not adjourn until October. I'VE knew
what was to be done when we came here,
and let US stick to our duty, he said"
Senator Daniels Views.
Senator Daniel followed Mr.. Braxton.
He said the right and only thing to do was
to give the best work the members were
capable Of, and this could best be done by
taking a recess, for the dry days were de-
pressing, "Whatever the consequences to
me, whatever Of personal loss and incon-
venience 1t may entail, propose to sacri-
flee for the duty which the people of my
section have imposed on me. II we are to
be affected in any way by what is being
said on the outside we would not accom-
are capable ~
Delegate Blair of Wythe, Delegate Moore
Of Montgomery, republicans, opposed the
resolution Delegate Summers Of Washing
ton, republican, championed the resolution.
He said experience had proven that the
democrats were liable to suppress the ne
gro vote entirely In hot weather. He want
ed to see the adjournment taken in order
that the majority might cool off. He would
as soon trust a chicken to a boa construct
or as a negro voter to the democrats dur
ing the dog days.
Delegate Moore Of Fairfax said he was
not controlled by the outside. Many mem
bers had made arrangements to come here
q motion to take recess had been made
and defeated, why vacillate? There was
less reason to adjourn now than in June
UIteriOr Motives Suggested.
Mr.. Blair, in the course of his remarks,
said he believed that other motives than
the weather were behind the resolution.
heated political campaign was near at
The resolution was further supported by
Messrs. OFlaherty, Wise and Hatton, while
Messrs. Braxton, Hancock, Moore and Mar
shall opposed it.
The vote was taken on the amendment to
adjourn to September II without pay. The
aye and nay vote was taken, with the fol-
lowing result: Ayes, 35; noes 81. The ques-
tion of adjourning for two weeks was then
taken up, with prospect of defeat.
Delegate Hardy's Resolution.
the following, which was referred:
Whereas taxation Is the most vital SUBJ
ject Of our state government, and no sys-
tenn of taxation can be modified without
equalization of taxation, and also uniform
ity of valuation; and whereas 1t seems i'm
possible to arrive at a solution Of this vex-
ed question unless there be separation of
the sources from which each department Of
the government is to receive its quota Of
taxes separate and distinct from the others
and whereas under the present system Of
assessment and taxation equality Of tax
alton Is utterly impossible, therefore re-
solved:
First. That property assessed for state
taxation be separated from property as
sessed for local County and municipaD
taxation.
Second. That all taxes derived from real
estate and personal property be used only
for county and municipal purposes, and
taxes derived from all other sources such
as railroads, franchises, corporations. licen-
ses fines, forfeitures and such other as
may be deemed proper to be used for state
purposes.
Poll Tax to Go to Schools.
Third. Poll taxes shall be used for the
support Of the public free schools Of pri-
mary and grammar grades. Said poll taxes
to be supplemented from state taxes, as
may be directed by future legislation.
Fourth That the power to tax corpora
tions and corporate property, including
franchises, shall not be surrendered or sus-
pended by act OF the general assembly.
Fifth There shall be a state board of
tax commissioners, consisting of three
members, to be elected by the people, to
hold Office for such time as may by law
be prescribed. The duty of said board
shall be to adjust and equalize the valua-
ton Of such property as is taxable for
state purposes, and 1t shall perform such
other duties as may by law be prescribed
Sixth. That nothing contained In this
amendment, nor in any part Of 1t, shall In
any wise be construed to impair the lia-
bility of the state to meet her present, past
or future obligations.
Composite Suffrage Clause.
Senator Daniel and his suffrage commit
tee will report a composite suffrage
clause; rather, that is the consensus Of
opinion here today. On yesterday Senator
Daniel had printed copies of all the bills
morning up to the hour of noon in getting
the clause in shape and 1t was given to the
printer to be put into type. The plan as
outlined will be surprise to many people,
and 1t Is not altogether to the liking OF any
member of the committee. From the best
information obtainable the plan WILL when
presented to the committee, contain the
following as the leading provision: cap
itation tax of s., to be paid by all voters
at least six months prior to the day Of
election, the ownership Of $500 worth of
real or personal property by the voter. and
In case a father owns property to the
amount named and has paid the taxes
thereon prior to the election lie and his
sons and sons-in-law are to exercise the
right of suffrage under the holdings of the
father; the grandfather clause Is embodied,
and the son Of any man who has rendered
military service to the state, the United
States or any state In the Union Is to be
allowed to vote without the restrictions
enumerated above. are also persons who
are over the age of sixty years when the
constitution shall be adopted.
None of the many suffrage propositions
presented to the convention contained all
of the qualifications named abova and Il
was agreed that the COMMITTEES would
never get together ON any single pan sub
mitted. IT will be observed that the et3uca-
tional clause Is omitted This IL due to
the fact that the census report, the adj