Evening star., 1901-07-18
A CHRISTIAN STATE
Sensation at Richmond Convention
Over Dr.. Spooner's Prayer.
VARIED VIEWS OF DELEGATES
Matter May Be Made Subject Of
Formal Action.
WISE'S SUFFRAGE PLA

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
RICHMOND, Va, July 1S-Considerable
informal talk has been INDUCED in by men,
bers Of the suffrage committee over the lit
tie progress being made by that committee
and anxiety displayed by the convention to
begin the consideration and discussion OF
the most important question for which the
convention was called. The suggestion has
been made by at least two members to have
the committee disc oharged and the question
referred to the convention as committee
Of the whole.
The committee decided this morning that
beginning tomorrow daily meetings will be
held as follows Mondays, Wednesdays
and Fridays at $3.50 p. m: Tuesdays, Thurs
days and Saturdays, 10 am. and immedi-
ately after the sessions Of the convention.
The session OF the constitutional conven-
tion lasted forty minutes today and was
marked by the most sensational event OF
the session so far. The Rev. George H.
Spooner Of Trinity Methodist Church was
introduced by President Goode to offer
prayer.
The members, evidently expecting to hear
the distinguished divine make some refer
ence to a subject on which he recently
preached, and which has occasioned a vast
amount of talk, set themselves to catch
every word. Perfect silence prevailed. Az
ter asking the guidance Of heaven upon the
members Of the convention and their la
bors. DR.. Spooner said:
We thank Thee this Is not a pagan
state. We thank Thee that 1t is not Con-
fuchfan nor Mohammedan state but a
christian state and part of great Chris
tan nation We thank Thee that the prin-
ctples OF the Divine Christ are woven into
the fabric OF the laws which form the
foundation Of our greatness We thank
lhee that tha word Christ ~ ja
scribed upon the standard of the ConstAu-
ton. and that In the hearts of her true
citizenship Virginia will ever honor IT.
Excited Discussion.
The Rev John Harmon OF Union Station
Church. who was on the floor twice re-
sponded Amen in strong voice. The
members Of the convention. as soon as the
prayer was finished. began an animated dis
cussion, many Of them declaring that 1t was
most remarkable effort, saying 1t was
'out OF season." while one member re-
marked that he thought Mr. Pollard, who
onered the proposition to eliminate the
word Christian" should be given fifteen
minutes to reply. tidewater delegate was
severe in his criticism Of the prayer giving
The Star correspondent to understand that
the matter would be brought to the atten-
ton OF the convention within day two
by formal resolution. which would express
the feelings OF the convention. On the other
hand, there were several members who ex-
pressed unqualified approval OF the prayer.
among them Judge Orr of Lee county. who
declared that he believed in a man saying
what was In his heart.
Indiscriminate Liquor Licenses
After the convention began business
Mr.. Green OF Danville presented memoir
ial from the Richmond district Methodist
conference protesting against the indis-
criminate granting of liquor licenses. recit-
ing that 1t was destroying ths morals of
the youth OF the state. The memorial
went to the bill OF rights committee. Mr.
Richmond of Scott presented a memorial
from colored residents of his county pro-
testing against wholesale disfrancaise,nent
and division OF the school fund Mr.. Mum
dy OF Botetourt presented resolution pro-
viding that all county officers shall be
elected by direct vote Of the people.
Other Resolutions.
Mr. Quarles of Augusta presented a
resolution providing for state primaries to
nominate all state officers represent atives
and senators. r. Walton Moore of Fairfax
submitted suffrage proposition to the
committee today. 1t provides for poll
tax Of 81 so. or a property qualification CT
$780, real or personal, and the sons of such
owner shall have the right of suffrage All
persons who have done military service in
the state or United States government are
to be allowed to vote, which will include all
men who have belonged to militia crgani-
sented one prohibiting double taxation on
property held in the state. and Mr.. Hatton
of Portsmouth one to prefix the declaration
Of independence of the convention of 1776
to the new constitution and with some
relation to new constitution.
The convention adjourned at II: 10 O clock
Novel Suffrage Suggestion.
A novel suffrage proposition was pre-
sented at the meeting of the suffrage COM
Inittee today by Delegate George D. Wise.
If there is anything in the United States
of a similar nature, no member of the
the present electorate to exercise the right
of suffrage and to empower owners of, say
$500 property on which taxes Is paid to
have two votes. The poll tax must be
paid under the proposed plan. no one be-
ing exempt. Captain Wise advocated his
proposition in a powerful address, saying
its validity and constitutionality.
The plan is along the lines Of the cleo
toral system which obtained in Virginia
prior to the war. when an owner Of real
estate was given vote in every county
in which he owns property, while the
right of the suffrage was exercised by all
white men. While the members of the con-
tails Of the proposition submitted to the
suffrage committee by Mr.. WISE several
of them were disposed to favor it as an
easy and equitable solution of the diff
Guilty OF cutting down the negro vote.
Reign of LayyJessness in Pekin.
PEKIN, July 17.-Disorder and lawless-
ness have greatly increased in Pekin since
the policing of the city was restored to