The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-06-04
NEW Instrument
IS NOW CONF
Constitution to Be Engrossed at
Once.
coD'sMERcYAc KN0WLE GED

Governors Right is Defined as TO
ReapportIonment Bills-Busy
Session Of Convention.
The Constitutional Convention held a
four-hour session yesterday and COM
strunaent in full, and referred 1t to tho
Committee on Enrolment to be en-
CROSSED. The session was marked by
= hard work from start to finish and
there was but iitIie speaking.
There was no afternoon session. and
the BODY will meet at 10 o'clock to-day
60 take up the schedule and the regtstra
ton ordinance.
There were several interesting features
in tbs session YESTERDAY. One was the
abortion OF an amendment to the pre-
er,ble, prepared by Mr.. Gordon, OF
Richmond city, and offered by Mr.. Nc
Ilwaine. acknowledging gratitude to God
Z Tor his past favors. and Invoking HIS
blessings upon the work of the conven-
ton.
Another was the adoption Of an amend
u1ent offered by Mr. Meredith to the
article on the legislative department
adding the words by law, TO the sec
Hon relating to congressional reap
pointment bills. 30 as to clearly define
the rights and duties Of the Governor as
as to the matter Of vetoing such
measurss a third was the refusal OF
che convention to reconsider its former
action in regard to contempt OF court.
though the language while not stricken
out was so modified as to make IL uls-
creHonary and not mandatory upon the
Legislature to regulate the rights OF the
courts in matters OF contempt There
we're a, number OF prominent Virginians
on the floor during the day and the
session was full Of interest.
THE DAY IN DETAIL.
The Convention was called to order at
10 o'clock by President Goode and prayer
was offered by Rev. Dr.. w. " Tudor.
presiding elder of the West Richmond
District
The roll-cail developed the presence OF
17fty-two members. and the journal of the
,,repdo,,s days proceedings was read and
approved
a number of leaves Of absence were
granted various members, among them
being one to Mr.. Walker, on account OF
sickness.
On motion of Mr.. Hooker, the Conven-
ton voted to present the College OF VII
liam and Mary with a copy OF the Ameri-.
can Constitutions.
Z The unfinished business being the con-
sideration of the report Of the Commit
tee on Final Revision and Adjustment.
the Convention proceeded to the further
consideration of the article on Taxation
and Finance.
Mr. Meredith offered q substitute for
She amendment offered on Monday oy
Mr. W. A Anderson to section ITO. de-
signed to make clearer the language In
relation to the taxation of corporations.
and to prevent their double taxation.
Mr.. Hamilton made the point that the
amendment and the substitute were both
new matter and therefore out OF order
under the ruling of the Chair. There was
a great deal of discussion over the pro-
positions. and Messrs. Meredith, Bra3-
ton and Ayers took part In It
Mr.. Meredith withdrew his amendment
and the section remained as 1t came from
the Convention originally.
Secretary Button then proceeded 10
read the remainder Of the article
Tha convention disposed of the article
an Taxation and Finance without matcrl-
al amendment. and those on mis-
s,e,laneous provisions and future changes
3n the Constitution This conp4e.en ,ns
roinr over of the entire instrument and
the BODY returned to consider several
Questions which were temporarily passed
by on Monday.
RESIDE IN CITIES
An amendment to section 81 Of the SUI
frare article was offered by A1r. Port
look. and adopted by the convention.
,,ernitting elective officers OF counties
where the court houses are IN cities "
reside in said cities.
section IS OF the Legislative article
MA. reverted to, and Mr.. Moore. Of Fair
fax asked that 1t remain as 1t came from
the Committee.
Mr. Meredith moved to insert the words
..by law in section IS IN relation to the
reapportionment OF the State into Con-
rressional districts, SO az TO remove any
doubt ss to the right and duty of the
Governor to sign or veto the bills on the
subject. It was adopted by an over
wheip,ing majority.
Mr.. Thorn moved to strike out the Ian
3 c,,ace, land no convention for such pur-
pose shall be otherwise called from sec
ton 1877 relating to the manner Of calling
q Constitutional Convention and 1t was
opposed by Mr.. Meredith. he and MI.
/ Thorn. entering to some extent into the
question Of the relative rights and powers
Of conventions and legislatures.
Mr. Wlthers raised the point that the
motion was out OF order, on the ground
that 1t was an entirely new matter and
the point was sustained by the chair.
Mr.. Braxton asked unanimous consent
to consider the matter, but MI. Withers
replied. 81 object.
t.
unanimous consent, hut Messrs Barbour
and withcrs renewed and declined to
Withdraw their objections, so the matter
was at an end
WOULD NOT RECONSIDER.
Mr.. Carter called up his motion to re-
CONSIDER the vote by which Mr. Brax-
TOMS amendment to section So was adopt
ed, which had for its object the leaving
to the Legislature Of the matter of regu.
. lating the power of the courts In con-
tempt cases. Mr.. Carter spoke ably for
his motion. and it was opposed by Mr.
Braxton in strong speech. Mr.. Moore.
OF Fairfax, opposed the motion. as did
also Mr. Daniel. both OF these gentlemen
making brief but strong speeches. Mr..
Carter spoke again in reply to his
opponents. and he was followed by Mr..
Hatton. who spoke earnestly in favor OF
the motion to reconsid der.
The motion was opposed by Mr.. Rob-
ertson, of Roanoke. who said that in a
great many instances judges acted as
prosecutors instead Of as Judges He
said that now the judges made the law
on the subject. and then dragged people
,ap before them and enforced it in their
r.xrE vay@. 1t should be left to the Leg