Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-09-11
THE CONVENTION.

v
A memorial from the people OF Falls
Church, Fairfax county, deploring the
attempted assassination of President
Mckinley, and praying that anarchy
be made a crime punishable with
death, was presented in the constilu
tional convention yesterday by Mr.. K.
w. Moore.
The petition was referred, and IL ls
believed the qus s.ion will be brought
before the convention either in coDnec-
ton with it or 10 some other shape.
There was no effort when the con-
stitutional convention met yesterday to
press the motion OF Mr.. Keezsll to re-
consider the action OF the convention
sboishing the committee OF the whole.
IL was agreed that, pending the dis
position OF the motion to reconsider,
the entire matter was in allegiance
and the committee OF the whole would
remain in operation. The contrary
was held on Monday. This originsi
motion was regarded as designed to
operate against unlimited debate, IS no
motion for the previous question can
be made 10 committee OF the whole,
and there is no way to stop the flow OF
eloquence that ia Ia reserve. IL is a
significant fact that in nearly every
case the chairmen OF committees voted
10 favor of the abolition of the commit
tee OF the whole, and 1t ia likely that
they are inclined to see the period OF
debates considerably lesseued.
One of the most interesting facts that
have developed during the committee
meetings is that every committee hav-
| ing before it the election of officers by
the people has decided against such a
step.
The committee on judiciary is oppos-
ed to the election Of judges by the peo-
pie; the committee OF executive depart
ments has voted against eleotiDg the
treasurer, auditor and secretary OF the
commonwealth by the people, and the
committee on education does not favor
| the election of school superintendents
by the people.
1t has been thought that considerable
debate would be brought out on this
subject and the elimination OF the COM
mittee of the whole might operate to
practically limit the debate to state
ment by the chairman of the commit
tees. Il Is said that majority of the
convention Is against the motion Of MIR
| Moore aud that the Unlimited debate
will go on at least for the present.
Many petitions have been presented
by different members. by request, on
the subj sct Of the liquor traffic and
against appropriations OF State funds to
seetarian. Institutions.
Judge Anderson presented petition
for the bar OF CoviOgton protesting
against the reduction of court clerk
| terms.
The secretary OF the convention laid
before the convention some statistics
10 relation to the population OF cities
in Virginia 10 response TO a resolution
by the convention.
On motion OF Judge Green, the con
vention resolved itself into q commit
tee OF toe whole for the further consid-
Grafton of the Bill OF Rights.
Judge Green then presented substi-
tute for section 8. recommended by the
com mittee. This embodied all the
amendments.
A number OF amendments and sub
stilutes were offered in regard to trials
by jury. The convention adjourned
! without g vote being taken.
The committee on executive depart
ment met yesterday and decided to
recommend to the convention that the
Office OF public printer, not being con-
stitutionsl Office, was within the pur-
view OF the committees authority. Ii
| will, however, recommend that the
legislature provide more efficient and
economical means OF supervising the
public printing.
The next meeting, on Thursday, will
be devoted to finally determining the
manner OF election OF the officers.
At former meeting 1t was decided to
elect them ali, ss at present, by the
legislature, but there is such strong
minority 10 favor OF election by the
people that the vote was reconsidered,
and Thursday set for the final vote.