Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-01-24
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

Tic NCh
Yesterday over the discus ion OF the
commit se's report on cities and towns.
Judge Harrison presented a petition
from the City Council OF Winchester
opposing every section OF the report OF
that committee. Section 10, which pro-
yides that no franchise or privilege
shall be granted to any company or
corporation to use the streets or alleys
or public grounds unless the consent oil
the councils is first obtained, was fought
over at great length, particularly 10 re.
gard to 40 amendment in favor OF local
telephone companies. Every amend
ment was defeated. but the convention
adjourned before 6 decision was reach
ed on the section as q whole on account
OF the indispositlon OF Judge Brooke,
the chairman OF the committee.
Mr.. Meredith moved to amend sec.
ton 8 Dy providing that no ordinance
appropriation of more tnan 800 should
become law unless adopted by vote
of two.thirds OF sll the members, and
If vetoed by toe mayor could not be-
come law unless overcome by three
fourths vote of ell the members elected.
Mr.. Hatton moved ID substitute a
msjOrity Of the members elected, in
stead OF tRo-thirds. Both amendments
we're defeated.
The corporation committee, whose
report Is looked forward to with per
haps more interest than any article 10
the new constitution, except the SUI
frage, was completed last night, and
will be presented to the convention
today.
The report covers the question OF
employers liability to employees, rail-
road regulation, corporation commits
sion and general laws for the creation,
regulation aud control Of all corpora
tons. Provision is made for uniform
general laws as to the creation OF cor.
porations and the extension and
amendment OF charters. The State
CORPORATION commission is to consist OF
three members appointed by the gov
ernor, subject to confirmation by the
general assembly in joint session. They
are 10 be chosen for t,rms OF six years,
one being elected every two years.
No person employed by or holding any
Office 10 relation to any transportation
or transmission company, or who ls
10 any wise financially interested there
10, shall hold office ss commissioner
The commission will have one clerk
and one bailiff and such other
clerks, officers, assistants, and sub
ordinstss as may be provided by Law.
All sessions OF tle commission will
be public, and permanent record will
be kept OF all of Its judgments, ruIes,
orders, findings, and decisions, and
OF all reports made to or by II.
Any two Of the commissioners shall consti'
tute quorum. The Office Of the commission
will be open for business on every day ex-
cept Sundays and legal holidays The salary
Of the commissioners is to be fixed by the
general assembly, bat shall not be less than
SO. 900. After January 1903, the general
assembly may provide for the election Of
commissioners By the people. Subject to the
provisions Of the constitution and TO su "a re-
auirements. rules, and regulations as may DO
prescribed By law, the State corporation COM
mission will be the department Of govern
ment through which shall DO issued sill char
ters and licenses to do business in the State
10 foreign corporations. The commission
will have the power aud be charged with the
duty OF the supervision, regulation, and con-
troll OF all transportation aud Transmission
companies doing business In ihis state. The
ordinances abolishes the board Of public
works and the present railroad commissioner.
The issuance and use Of free passes to State
officials is prohibited.
Congressman Flood addressed the suffrage
conference last night in behalf Of the ma
iority plan. II is expected that DR.. Nell
waine and Mr.. Meredith will speak tonight.