The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-09-24
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
DOings Of and Sayings In and About the
5rtat Virginia Body

Doinga Of and Sayings In and About the
Graf Virginia Body
A motion to hold longer sessions was
voted down.
The hearing on the contested election
case of Treat against Gregory was fixed
for next Friday a; ID 30 o'clock.
Mr.. Pedigo, Republican, Of Henry, Of
fered resolution requiring the Governor
to offer a reward of $500 for tEc capture
of alllynchers.
Mr.. Wysor presented franchise plan
the notable features of which prohibits
the negro from holding office. II re
quires that every voter shall be able to
write and read the new Constitution in
English.
There were scores of resolutions pre-
scented in favor OF the Barbour resolution
in relation to the granting of liquor Ii
censes, and several resolutions protest
ing against the appropriation of public
moneys to sectarian institutions.
MIR. Withers offered resolution that
no Judge of any court of record should be
allowed to practice law in this State or
elsewhere, or 10 held any other office OF
trust or emomment. The committee
arose without acting on this motion.
MIR. Willis, of Hampton, offered IN or
dinance of iar-reaching importance, espe-
cially to the enterprising and growing
cities. Ii authorizes thecOuncils of cities
and the supervisors Of counties To eX-
empt manufacturing enterprises from
taxation.
The Judiciary Committee further con
sidered the report of the subcommittee
on courts of cities and towns. The only
change made was to strike out the re-
quirement of population to be l2,3oO.
and substitute 10000 wherever it ap-
peared in the report IA formerly adopted.
Saturday was day of strong debate.
Senator Daniel made speech in favor oil
Quadrennial sessions OF the Legislature.
Judge Kendall spoke in support OF the
amendment offered by Judge Harrison,
providing for biennial sessions.
Rev. DR. Dunaway, of Lancaster. pre-
scented q substitute TO Article u OF the
Bill of Rights as reported to the cOaven-
ton by the Committee OF the Whole.
A resolution authorizing the printing
of the addresses made at the Mckinley
memorial exercises in the hall OF the con-
ventiOn was referred To the Committee
on Printing to ascertain the cost OF the
same. Ii was stated that the cost of the
printing would amount to $50. \ small
number of the publications were to be
handsomely bound and copies sent to the
family of the late President and to the
library at Washington. The initiative
having been taken the suggestion will
probably be carried out.
[. 5 Marshal Morgan Treat will b.
seated as member of the convention
from King William and Hanover coun-
ties in the place OF Judge Roger Gregory,
now sitting, if the report of the commit
tee on Privileges and Elections submit
ted to the convention is adopted.
Rev DIR. Dunaway, who submitted the
report aud Judge Quarles voted with
the four Republicans, Messrs PPdigo Gill
lespie. T. l.. Moore and Walter while
those voting for Judge Gregory were
Chairman Harrison, Judge Geo. h. An
derson. and Messrs Turnbull and Willis
The two reports were laid on the table
and ordered to be printed.
The features of the report on suffrage
which was submitted by the majority
Wednesday: The prepayment OF a poll
tax of $1.5 by every applicant to vote
after 1903. Until 1903 the following
persons may Unregistered All who pay
as much az ~ of taxes, not counting the
poll-tax; all Confederate soldiers OF the
United States; all persons, physically
able, who have worked three months in
the preceding year, and can explain the
duties of the officials for whom they are
voting. The plan provides for the franz
ing by the convention OF an ordinance
for the immediate registration OF all the
above, and for the Legislature TO makea
new requirement for registration after
1904. which shall include written APP
plication on the part of the intending
voter
The plan which the Republican mem
bers of the committee are expected to of
fer will have for its chief feature every
feature of the present suffrage provision
of the Constitution, if the truth may be
so expressed. The claim is made for the
plans of the Democratic members that
no white man will be disfranchised the
Republicans may wellmak the claim for
theirs that no negro will be deprived of
right 10 go to the polls end cast his bal
lot.