Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-11-15
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

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The Constitutional Convention yes
terday practically adopted the whole
report Of the committee on lexecutive
departments. 1t was completed ex-
cept one or two sections, which were
by general consent recommitied-one
Of them relating to the departments OF
agriculture and labor.
Mr. Green presented and bad read
memorial from the Methodist confer.
ence now In session at Newport News,
praying the passage OF the Barbour IL
quOr license resolution, and 1t was sp-
propristely referred.
When the report OF the committee on
executive departments was called 10
the committee OF the whole, the entire
report was read, and Ex-Governor
Cameron, the chairman, made q COM
prehensive explanation OF the report
OF the com mittee, saying that he was
convinced that time would be saved by
the course. Touching the more I'm
portant features OF she report, Mr..
Cameron said that the committee was
convinced that the office OF governor
could not be maintained with credit
aad diguIty on less than So, 900 annual
lY, and were less allowed by law it
would debsr any but wealthy men
from Offering themselves for the Office.
The duties Of the register OF the land
Office had been merged with those Of
the secretary Of the commonwealth be-
cause the duties of the hrst-Damed
position were very light. The secre-
tary of the commonwealth Ia to be
elected by the people. There were
only a few important amendments
adopted. One OF them was offered by
Mr.. Meredith, allowing the governor to
veto Guy item in an appropriation bill
and approve the others.
The section referring 70 the Cover
nor's veto power was amended so as to
require two-thirds of ell members
present, including q majority of all
elected, to overcome 1t.
Section was amended so that the
governor should only have the power
to suspend from Office tor misbehavior,
incspacity, neglect OF official duty or
acts performed without due authority
OF law all executive officers at the seat
Of government. except the lieutenant
governor.
Toe clause empowering mem bers OF
the general assembly to call an extra
session was left blank until the ques-
ton OF quadreunisl sessions shall have
been finally decided.
nIaoa nraoanfa1 hia
clause, and Mr.. Harrison offered an
ordinance relating to subjects OF district
taxation.
TDere were a number OF committee
meetings yesterday afternoon and there
was another suffrage conference last
nlght. at which Msj. Anderson con-
tinued the argument 10 support OF the
minority or Daniel plan. 10 this the
understanding clause Ia need to shut
the door upon the negro. There
seems to be most decided opposition to
any understanding clause to any plan
which the conference shall adopt.
Tue conference adj u ed TO next Mon
day night. when Mr.. Wysor will pre-
sent aud urge his plan. Mr.. Brsxton's
plhD Will dicO 10 uibCuoccu III tho OOh-
ference rather than before the suffrage
committee.
The report of the judiciary committee
hss been drafted and will be handed 10
next week. There seems to be o dis
position to have all OF the reports pass
ed upon by the committee OF the whole
before they are taken up by the con-
vention, 20 that when they come up in
the general body their points OF differ.
encs may be understood. The suffrage
clause is the only matter that threatens
serious delay. There is no telling how
long tbs conference will continue.
There is more prospect of an agreement
now than there was before the election
recess, but many more speeches will be
made ana they will in all probability
be long.