Evening star., 1901-07-19
EXPEDITING THE WORK
VIRGINIA CONSTITUTIONAL COM
MITTEEs MAKING PROGRESS.
Determination Reached to Retain the
Word Christian in Bill
of Rights.
snecial Dispatch to The Evening Star.


RICHMOND. Va, July 19.-The consti-
tutional convention broke the record today.
The session lasted sixteen minutes. Eighty
one members answered to their names.
The short sessions of the convention are
due to the hard work of the committees,
many of which are not only meeting daily,
but are holding two sessions with view
to expediting the work. Prayer was oner-
cd nv the Rev r. P. Kerr of the Presby-
terian Church. By Monday reports are
expected from the committees on preamble
and bill of rights and reduction of ex-
penses It is also likely that the commit
tee on organization of cities will report at
that time.
Equal Taxation.
Four resolutions were presented today,
which were referred. They were as fol-
lows:
Mr.. Hamilton of Petersburg-Amendlng
article 10 SO that taxation shall be equal
and uniform property to be taxed IN pro-
portion to it's value. to be ascertained by
erty assessed for taxation shall not be sub
ject to taxation: double taxation by state
or corporations Is prohibited
Mr.. Wise of Richmond Resolved.
That the council and board OF al
dermen of any city or municipal cor
poration in this state shall have the power
and authority to appropriate from the
treasury of said city or municipal corpora
tion Of the use and benent OF any non-sec
tartan manual training school. school OF
Technology mining or metallurgy, now or
hereafter located therein. such sums OF
money as to them may appear to be prop
er and beneficial TO the people OF said city
or municipal corporatlon
Property of Incorporated Churches.
Mr.. Harrison Of Observation-Disclosures
II resolved in connection Herewith, that
the following be substituted for article 8,
section II:
NO church or religious association snail
have power to hold property, real or per-
sonal except as place for public worship,
residence Of a minister. bishop or other
officer of the church or furniture therefor,
OF as burial ground. or Tor hterary OF cd
ucational purposes
Mr., Earman of OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
ing the general assembly to grant charters
of incorporation to church mission boards
when appointed by any Christian body.
Mr.. wfse's Suffrage Scheme.
1.-THE proposition of Captain Wise in re-
gard to the suffrage question is the most
invulnerable scheme affecting the franchise
that has yet been presented. 1t is consti-
tutional. and will give US more trouble than
anything yet presented"
This was the statement OF COL - u SUM
mers of Washington county to The Star
correspondent today. Colonel Summers
continued: 1.-The republicans are going to
fight the proposition in every possible way.
and we have had an informal talk over the
matter believe the convention will
adopt the proposition. for 1t means that the
state is to remain democratic as long as
the clause shall be in effect. I shall OPP
pose 1t with all my power. however. as I
think that manhood suffrage alone Is prop
er in this state or country. The other
schemes are visionary as compared with
this. For seventy years the state enjoyed
Just such a system as Captain Wise pro-
poses and 1t was then that the state was
most prosperous. It allows all men to vote
for protection Of liberty and guarantees
the security Of property
school Superintendent.
Secretary Brent OF the state board OF
education speaking on the subject OF elect
ing superintendents,- favored the present
system Of having them elected by the state
board of education. Librarian Scott favor-
ed the election OF superintendents by
county and city boards, and the selection
of trustees by the people His view was
based on the belief that suffrage will be
largely restricted, an idea which he hopes
to see established. AS an alternative prop
osition he was in favor OF declaring teach
ers officers Of the state. and provision
sons shall hold office. No action was taken
on either of the propositions.
Word Christian VIII Remain.
The committee on preamble and bill OF
rights this afternoon by vote Of to
decided not to eliminate the word Chris
tian'' from the bill Of rights. John Gar
land Pollard, who offered the resolution to
this effect. made q strong speech in sup
mort of the v,ronoaafion f1o ~aa f,I1owed