The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-02-07
THREE JUDGES
ON CORPO ORA TIONS
Messrs. Ingram and Kendall for.
Report.
Mr.. BROOKE. ON OTHER SIDE Il.
The Entire Session OF the Convention De-
voted to the Feature Relating to
Commission Days Pro.
esediugs.

Big guns were fired on the corporation
question vest -rday in the convention.
The body occupied the whole day In Com
ndttee of the Whole (Mr. Keezell in the
clrair). considering the report of the Cor
poration Committee.
Judge Ingram concluded his remarks in
favor Of tho majority report begun on
Wednesday, and when he resumed MS
seat he was loudly cheerea.
Judge D. Tucker Brooke, Of Norfolk,
followed in favor Of the report signed by
himself and Mr.. Hunton. His address
was full of logic and eloquence. Judge
Gllmor S. k-,nd;tll, Of Northampton,
me mber Of TIL, committee, followed for
the majority report, and had not con-
Guided hi 81 ettt when, at o'clock. the
body adjourned. He will resume his ar
gL ment this NJ. ming.
DAY IN DETAIL
Prayer was offered IN the convention
by DR.. McIlwaine, and seventy members
answered the roll-call.
Without further prelimtnarles, Mr'
Keezell occupied the chair, and in COM
nittee of the Whole consideration was
resumed of the report Of the Committee
en- Corporations.
Judge Ingram continued his speech be-
gun Wednesday. Beginning with read
ing an extract from Black on Corpora
tions, he discussed the modern develop
ments of great industries and the vast
opportunities for good of organized capt.
tai. He referred to those having monop-
olstic tendencies as the evil growth
from good sources, and showed why
I,ublic-servicc corporations, on account
Of their great privileges and the nature
of the business. were especially favored
by the State, and should not resist the
enactment Of fair and reasonable re-
strictions FOR their supervision and con-
troll. He declared that there was not a.
line or syllable of the majority report
that did not carefully guard and protect
the rights of corporations. The whole
trouble rested In the fact that for the
first time in Virginia the rights of the
public were also guarded and protected
The minority report was the old Mason
law pure and simple, with a few changes
of phrases, but no change in the powers.
The Mason law was the one enacted by
the Legislature q few years ago, and
was conceded by all to be as near u multi
ty as any law that was ever enacted. 1t
was SO pronounced by Railroad Commits
sioner Hill. and the Supreme Court of
Virginia had nearly said SO in a case
argued for the railroads by Mr.. Hunton
himself.
THE MASON LAW.
Judge Ingram proceeded to read extracts
from the minority report and from the
Mason law to show their similarity IN
almost every particular.
AS he read the corresponding sections Of
both, he commented on them and showed
what small changes had been made.
He alluded to efforts that had been re-
peatedly made for the enactment Of an
employers liability bill by the Legisla ture
and gave a history of its defeat and the
means adopted by the railroads to accom-
plish it. In this connection he referred
in eloquent and affecting terms to the
herosm of Captain Fisher and other rail-
road employees who recently died at their
post Of duty. sending with their latest
breath a, message of love and inspiration
to their dependent ones.
Judge Ingram said Mr.. Hunton had re-
ferred with q. sheer to Mr.. Withers and
the loss Of his figures, but he was certain
that those figures would yet return to
plague his accusers.
Judge Ingram closed with strong and
earnest appeal for the adoption of the
aiority report, and declared that the
efforts Of the transportation companies
to combine all corporations in opposition
| to the recommendations and to threaten
or predict the defeat Of the Constitution
did not frighten him from its support
He knew 1t was fair, and if the people
once understood the situation it would
prove the most popular and beneficial
| measure Of the whole Constitution. for
deep down In their hearts was a desire
| and determination to deal fairly with
all, but to demand fair treatment for
| themselves. He was very cordially cheer
ed at the conclusion Of his argument,
| having spoken for an hour and & quarter.
JUDGE BROOKE HEARD.
Judge Brooke began his speech In sup
port of the minority report with fine
display of humor badinage at the expense
| Of Chairman Braxton and Judge Ingram.
| his good natured, but keen thrusts at
their speeches being much enjoyed by all.
! He said the matter had not been dis
cussed by them in the light Of trying 70
see what was best to do in arriving at a
| conclusion as to the merits of the minor
| ity report. but rather in the view OF the
| people against the railroads. and he sus-
| Dected in the sense that the word should
| be spelled pee-pull. He said the rail-.
roads had a right to say to the State. reg