The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-05-31
PUTTING FINAL
TOUCHES ON WORK
Convontion Revising the Rev
Constitution.
BUT FEW CHANGES MADE.
Mr.. Thorn Makes Manly Disclaimer
ito the convention-ln President
Goodies Absence MIR. Walker
Presides-Session in Detail.

Eress IN the matter OF finally revising
the new organic law.
MT. Walker, Of Northumberland. pre-
sided. In tho absence OF Presidents Goode.
WHO was with the Memorial Association
ut hollywood. The consideration OF tho
erricles on the Bill Of Rights and SUI
6sags was completed. and the article on
She Legislative Department was taken
up and partially considered.
There was a fair attendance of men-
bern. h:t few visitors were on hand at
either session. MI. Thorn. of Norfolk,
rising to a question Of privilege at the
ard OF the morning session. disclaimed
Sny intention Of woundins the senslbiil-
ties Of any OF his colleagues in his speech
on Thursday, AID his disclaimer was re-
TIE DAY IN DETAIL.
The Convention was called to order at
10 O'clock nv President Goode and prayer
vas offered by Eer. DR.. Jcrc Wlthcr-
spoon. of tie Presbyterian Church.
Sneaker John i. Ryan, OF Loudoun.
wcs among the few visitors on the moor,
but there was no CREST crowd such as
iostlcd In the hall on Thursday, and the
roll-call developed the presence Of only
seventy-three members. 1t %as indeed
a oalm sitter n storm. and while every
one seemed either satisfied or happy over
tae result OF the proclamation hight, yet
1t was evident in the early stages OF the
session that it would be comparatively
free from the snap and life that mas
characterized others during the Week.
The journal of Thursdays proceedings
was read by the secretary sid approved
by the Convention. a number OF leaves
OF absence We're granted various MEM
bcrs. and the usual number of petitions
in relation to the terms Of court CLERKS
were received and filed.
Mr. Robertson, rising to a question of
privilege, asked that correction be
made in the official report of his re-
marks or Wednesday.
LIMITED SPEECHES.
Mr. Barbour moved that in the con-
si6eration of the draft of the Constitu-
ton speeches be limited to three min
stes This was adopted, and on motions
made. Messrs Lawson and Stuart were
granted indefinite leaves of absence on
account of sickness in their respective
families.
Mr.. Anderson. of Rockbridge, laid be-
fore the Convention the report of the
Committee on Final Revision anu t,a-
justment. of which he is chairman. to-
Eether with the schedule. registration
ordinance, and the draft of the new Con-
stitution. printed side by side with that
referred by the convention to the COM
xnfttee.
Mr.. Anderson made q brief speech, eX-
planning the work of his committee and
incidentally paid a pretty tribute to the
new organic law of the State and the
men who had framed it. The ComA
mittee of the Whole was discharged from
the consideration of the report, on mo-
ton of Mr. Boaz, and the chair (Mr.
Walker) ordered that the new Constitu-
ton be read section by section, on mo-
ton Of Mr.. Anderson. Of Rockbridge.
Secretary Button proceeded to read and
Mr.. Anderson. of Rockbridge, who had
charge of the report explained the
changes briefly to the convention. The
first article read was the Bill of Rights,
and it developed that there had been but
few changes by the Revision Commit
tee. Several typographical errors were
corrected by the convention.
SECTION AMENDED.
Mr.. Quarles moved to amend the sec
tion in relation to freedom Of speech. so
rs to make it read may speak freely
the word freely" being the one sought
10 be inserted. The motion was adopt
ted-Ayes, &c: nays. "a.
The suffrage article was the next ia
ken up. and it caused a great deal Of
discussion in a general way.
Good progress was made with the suf-
frage clause. a great many irlmaterial
amendments were offered, but few We're
ndopted, save those correcting typogra-
phica1 errors.
Mr.. Barbour wanted to strike out the
words DISTINGUISHING voters convicted OF
treason, but the convention rejected the
amendment.
Mr.. Barbour secured the adoption of an
amendment, allowing one representative
In the Legislature from counties or cities,
having moro than one representative, to
5aka tho initiative in the matter of inn
posing special property qualifications
upon voters OF their respective counties
and cities as prerequisite for voting
for county or city Offices.
In the discussion Of the section relating
To voting machines. Mr.. Egsleston Great
ed some merriment by asking M. Moore
OF Fairfax. If he favored machines in
politics. The latter replied that he did
rot and there We're several other viii
c;su1s on the same subject by members
of hte body.
Mr.. Brown moved that when the con-
rention take recess ut . o'clock it be
TO meet again at 10 o'clock to-day.
on accoun. o. the memorial! exercises at
Hollywood. This was on roll call
rejected: Ayes. %: noes. %.
MIR. TIIoMS MANLY SPEECH.
Mr. Thorn. OF Norfolk. rising to ques-
s:on OF personal privilege, read the fol-
lowing carefully prepared statement,
which explains itself and which was
loudly cheerc6:
..Mr. President, rise TO a question OF
personal privilege. understand that in
the remarks I made on yesterday I
wounded the sensib.lities OF soma Of the
gentlemen upon this floor. ] greatly re-
cret that any such impression should
have arisen from anything ] said. Ger
fainly 1t was not my intention. at
ke.,pted 30 impress upon my fellow men,
tsrs the fact that intended to neither
question or TO a,raisn anybody's motives.
character or potriotism. ] was presenting
Ehe views which were controlling me.
end expressly stated thai die not intend
10 reject on those who differed from me.
.'pRhs1s sdherin9 to my own views OF the
essstion, 30 far as. it affects and relates
10 myself and my cotton. I wish TO e1n-
phAsins tie fact that did not intend TO
1n,peAoh the morality or high character
of any one OF my fellow members. or
to Question tho sincerity or honesty of
his conclusions.
81 have reviewed the stenographic notes
Of my remarks, and while think they
fully skculpRte mo from any inyidioEs
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