Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1902-07-19
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
The Governors Message.

Richmond. Va, July 15.-The
Legislature convened at noon.
Thirty-seven Senators and ninety
members of the House were present.
In the Senate Mr.. McIlwaine offer
ed resolution provided for taking
the oath and giving recognition to
the new Constitution.
Senator Rivercomb Republican,,
offered substitute that it was the
sense of the General Assembly that
measures should be taken to submit
the Constitution to the people.
The Governors proclamation con-
cerning the Legislature was read in
the House. and the oath was admin
istered to Speaker Ryan and Clerk
Williams. The Speaker directed the
Clerk to administer the oath, when
Delegate James b. Cation, of Alex
andria, rose and made speech of an
hour, denying the right of the Con.
vention to proclaim the Constitution
and protesting against taking the
oath.
Mr.. Heermans offered a resolution
to refer the new Constitution to the
Committee on Privileges and Elec-
tions, which should report by bill or
otherwise. The Speaker ruled that
the resolution was not germane. The
resolution was re- ected, and the joint
resolution was concurred in.
Mr. Sipe, (Republican), announced
that he would not take the oath If 1t
conflicted with his duties as citizen.
The only member who refused to
subscribe to the organic law as pro-
claimed by the convention was DR..
Lane, Republican Delegate from the
county of Meckenberg. When his
name was called DR.. Lane picked up
his satchel and left the hall.
The capital is thronged to-day with
candidates for Judgeships and their
friends. 1t is one of the hottest con-
tests ever seen. No decision has
been reached as to when the matter
will be taken up or what work will
be undertaken at this session. 1t is
excessively warm. The consensus OF
opinion is that nothing shall be un-
dertaken but the Judgeships and the
naming of a commission to revise the
statutes.
The Governors Message.
The Governors message to the
Legislature was as follows:
"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
awaited new organic law, made by
themselves and for themselves, that
they might better work out the prob
lem of free government in accord
ance with the genius and heritage
of their race. Such a consummatiOD
has come to pass and the work is in
your hands. That the new Constitu-
tion has cost time, labor and money
none will deny, but that the task has
been performed with energy, wisdom
and patriotism all must admit Sharp
ly defined differences OF opinion have
existed, and ought to have existed,
but upon the whole the work seems
to fulfill the aspirations and com
mand the approval of the people, and
to make luminous the pathway
wi ereln our Commonwealth may
move forward to a higher destiny.
But the new Constitution will be lit
Tie more than an academic plan of
government unless supported and
made operative by wise and sufficient
legislation. The people will perhaps
test and measure the instrument
more by the character of legislation
made in conformity thereto than by
,he instrument itself. Hence your
great responsibility, which you will
doubtless discharge with a united
purpose, for differences of opinion
the merits OF the Consti
;utiOn or its establishment should no
onger exist. The time for such diff
erences has passed, and the needs
md the hopes of the people can best
De met, and met only by such legisla
ion as will put into complete opera
ion the whole instrument. / enter
ain the most confident hope that
you will meet the duties of the occa-
ion, land assure you of my ready and
ull co operation. Intending this
more as a cordial |
greeting than formal message, re
erve for the future such suggestions
Is may, in the discharge of my duty,
eem proper to be made"