The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-11-15

of the Legislature to call themselves in
extra session. Mr.. Moore, had made his
whole argument for quadrennial sessions
on the score of economy, and now lie
proposed to fix it so that the Legislature
could sit here whenever it pleased. There
was no consistency in any such a posi-
ton. .st3.8
Mr.. Flood said there was no common
sense in putting any such provision in
the Constitution.
Mr.. Moore sail gentlemen We're seeing
visions and dreaming dreams when they
argued this question in the manner they
had
He asked where did the employers liza
bility bill that all the people of Virginia
now demanded fail Of its passage. 1t
was in the Senate. He tten gave sew
eral other instances and said he would
not have alluded to this if gentlemen On
the other side had not made an arEu-
ment that was not justifafle.
Mr.. Meredith asked Mr. Moore to al
low him to make a motion to strike oue
Tie words two-thirds and leave it blank
until the convention had settled the qu.s-
ton Of quadrennial sessions. He said he
was opposed to Quadrennial sessions. but
If he was beaten on that, lie would be
willing that majority should be able to
call ar extra. session.
This motion was adopted by consent OF
Chairman Cameron. and there was a 1uil
In the quadrennial breeze.
FAILED AGAIN.
Mr.. Turnbull moved to strike out that
part of section five giving the Governor
power to suspend State officer that the
people had elected and put another in
his place. He declared 1t a dangerous
privilege to give any one man, and was
contrary to the genius of popular governs
naent.
Chairman Cameron said it had been left
to the Legislature. and it had given tile
Governor the power not only to suspend,
but to remove State officer. Governor
Cameron said he had had experience AS
Governor, and in the last few months
he had heard the creaking of the wheels
OF discord because the Governor had no
power to enforce or secure his policies
because of lack of discipline from those
under him. He earnestly appealed to the
convention to place in the hands Of the
next Governor the power to guard the
interests of the State and see that the
laws We're properly executed. Mr.: Turn
bull would rather have a mustard plaster
In the law than a milk and bread poulticc
in the Constitution.
Mr. Turnbull said he proposed to ex-
press his views on the floor of the con-
vention, even if the distinguished chair.
man of the Executive Committee did not
approve of it. He proceeded to argue tina
the power to suspend was the same as
the power to remove. The amendment
was defeated-yaes, u; nays, ~.
ANOTHER REJECTED.
Mr.. Barbour moved to amend so as
to give to the Governor the power to sns-
pend sferiffs who failed to enforce the
law. He said only a short time ago dis
grace was brought on the whole State
of Virginia because sheriff had not per-
formed his duty, but in defiance of the
Governor had permitted prisoner to he
taken from him and lynched.
On n viva Toce vote, the amendment
was declared adopted.
a division WAS called for and pending
the counting of a Vote speeches against
it were made by Messrs.i Parks and
Walker and Mr.. Barbour, made a brief
reply. The amendment being voted on
again was reiected-yeas, 10: nays. Il.
Sections 5. 6. and were then adopted
without amendment. Mr.. r. Walton
Moore moved to amend section s 50 as to
require the approval of a majority Of the
members elected to a Governors partial
veto. instead of the approval of two
thirds of the members present. He eX-.
planned the necessity of this change, to
make it conform to the provision of the
legislative report requiring that no bill
< i
lating to revenue without the affirmative
vote of two-hfths Of all members elected.
Mr.. Brown offered a substitute to make
it read, by two-thirds of all the members
present, including a majority OF members
elected to that House Mr.. Moore ac-s
certed this substitute Chairman
Cameron accepted the substitute. Upon
objection being made by Messrs. Steb-
bins and O'Flal1erty, Chairman Cameron
called for the vote, and the substitute
was adopted, .after the words "either
house were added.
Section: S, which is printed above: was
then, as amended, adopted with some YER
bal changes.
STAND BY REPORT.
Nh. SuE nlers moved 10 amend section
. SO as to abolish the Office of Lieutenant
Governor. He was the only one that
voted for his. motion
Section ,. 10 and II, relating to I4ieu-
tenant Gov error We're then adopted with
out amendment.
Mr.. Cameron moved to amend section
IL elvc, relating to the Secretary of the
Com monweaIth. by adding the following
I; :ter line three. And the fac. of MS
election shall be determined as in the
cage Of Governor" and also by adding the
Word monthly at tie end of lire four
teen. These amendments We're adopted
Mr. Ayers moved 10 Stlihes ouL se1ti III
he section in relation to the secretary
performing the duties Of TIC register or
the land office. He made {, strong. speech
and said the business Of register Of :l'e
land office required the constant atten-
zion Of "a iirsI-class man. H. thought
il would be impossible fer the secretary
CT the Commonwealth to properly attend
to the duties of both Offices. He did not
believe dollar would be saved to the
State by combining the Offices, ami the
efficiency of the work Of beth Offices
would necessarily be seriously affected.
Mr.. Meredith supported the, amendment.
He said the report seemed tc be only
intended to cut off the head of a de-
partment, No suggestion was made to
cut off the police or to change the du-.
ties OF the Office. 1t only meant that the
present Efficient officer should be- abol-s
ished and the nsxt thing would be the.
appointment of a superintendent Of pub
lie buildings and grounds, and not dol-s
lar would be saved.
s The amendment was rejected. Yeas.
y; nays. So