The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-07-16

= X, Il Is IS as
the Constitution and providing for tax
ing the oath was adopted.
Mr. Sipe, Republican of Rockingham.
rising to a question of privilege. sent up
a paper signed by members of his party.
saying they would take the oath with
certain qualifications.
THE PROTEST.
The paper which was prepared by the
Republican conference the other night
was as follows:
We. the undersigned. members Of the
House of Delegates of Virginia. bellev-
ing that the proclamation of an alleged
Constitution by the recent Constitutional
Convention was an attempt to usurp
rights of the people Of Virginia, which
this Legislature has the power and is
in duty bound to protect by submitting
said Constitution for ratification or re-
lection, earnestly protest against
any recognition or acceptance, of said al
legged Constitution by this body. and es-a
pecially against the administration of the
oath imposed by said convention, hereby
declaring for ourselves, that in sub
hitting to said requirements in order
that our respective constituencies may
not be deprived of the representation to
which they are entitled in this body.
we solemnly disclaim any admission to
the validity Of said Constitution till rati-E
fed by the people of Virginia. earnestly
maintaining that said oath does not con-
travene the right of any citizen of Vir-
GINA to advocate and vote for the fu-
ture submission of said Constitution.
(Signed) GEORGE E. SIPE,
HARVEY L. GARRETT.
C. A. HEERD1ANS.
H. C. WEAVER,
]. T. ROBSON,
E. p M'LEAN,
J. NJ QUISENBERRY,
NJ K. LOWERY,
SAMUEL J: HOFFMAN
T. P. DUDLEY.
A. L. CONNADAY,
GEORGE c.. ELkINS.
WILLIAM H GOODWIN.
c. W. WADDY,
w. L. MOORE,
r. H ANGBLL,
COULD NOT TAKE IT.
Mr.. Sipe said he could not take the oath
without the qualification contained in the
puper. Mr. Mclean made a similar state
ment.
Mr.. Mclean refused to stand when the
oath was taken. The oath blanks were
then signed by the members. Mr.. Nc
| Lean took his valise and left the hall,
| Mr.. Sipe prepared his. which he will
! ht nd in to-day. It contains qualifca-
| ton which practically relieves him OF any
!, obligation to support the new Constitu-
| ton, which he does not recognize. Speaker
Ryan. will not accept the oath; and 1t
will be referred to the Committee on Priv
ileges and Elections for report 1t is likely
| that both seats will be declared vacant by
the House and that the cases will so into
| the courts
Governors Message.
When the body had completed the TAX
Ling of the oath, the usual messages were
PASSED between the two houses and the
Governor, and in a few moments the fol-
lowing message came from His Excel
1ency, which was read:
| To the General Assembly:
Your session at this time marks the
| end Of one era and the beginning Of
another in the history Of Virginia. The
| people. have for years patiently await
| ed new organic law, made by them
selves and for themselves, that they
might the better work out the problem
i Of free government in accordance with
| the genius and heritage of their race.
I Such a contamination has come to pass.
| and the work Is in your hands.
That the new Constitution has cost
/ time, labor and money. none will deny;
4 but that the task has been performed
| with energy, wisdom and patriotism all
/ must admit. Sharply defined difter-
ences of opinion have existed, and ought
! to have existed, but upon the whole the
| work seems to fulfill the aspiration ana
command the approval Of the people and
! to make luminous the pathway wherein
/ our Commonwealth may move Forward
i to a higher destiny.
But the new Constitution VIII be III
i tie more than an academic plan OF gov
.ernment unless supported and mace
! operative by wise and sufficient ieglsla,
ton. The people will. perhaps, test ana
measure the instrument more by IN Z
4 character Of legislation made III con-
i formity thereto than by the fnstrument
4 Itself Hence your great reeponsioiil =,
4 which you will doubtless discFarge with
i a united purpose, for differences OF opin-
lion respecting the merits Of the Consti-s
tuition or Its establishment Ntuld now
Il mo- longer exist The time for such dir.
E.ferences has passed and the needs and
1.-the hopes Of the people can be met. anu
1 met only. by such legislation as VIII put
into complete operation the Whole IN
Il Sstrument. entertain the most conn m
/ dent hope that you will meet the GU. ;.
4 Eties of! the occasion and assure you OF
Il my ready and full cooperate
Intending this Communication more as
Il a. cordial greeting than formal mes
Il sage. II reserve for the future such suS-
4 gestions as may, IN the discharge OF my