Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1902-04-11
LIVE NEWS OF The
OLD DOMINION.
latest Happenings Cleaned From All
Over the State.
CONVENTIONS WORK COMPLETED.

leu IFlOUtnS-IUC UuSohVH va
to be Decided After the Recess-Ana'ysis OF
the Suffrage Plan-Thc Wilson Memorial
Fund Has Been Completed Other News.
The Virginia Constitutional Conven-
ton, after being in session over 10
months mas practically completed Its
work and took a recess until May p.
The object of this recess is to afford the
| members of the convention an oppor-
unity to test public feeling on the queS-
ton of proclaiming the new constitution
lust completed. 1t is regarded as GER
tain it will be proclaimed
The new constitution makes many
and radical changes in the present or
ganic law of the State. The most I'M
portant article, probably, is that on SUI,
frage. This revolutlonlzes political
methods in Virginia and to large, ex-
tent removes the negro as disturbing
factor. The convention adopted the sui
frage plan by vote Of 81 to y.
An important feature of the last days
session was the resembling Of the article
abolishing hold-over Senator's. A conf
promise was adopted which provides for
the election Of Senators for four years
and the members of the House of Dele
gates for two, the entire membership OF
the Senate to be elected. every tour
years, thus doing away with the hold
over feature The compromise plan,
however, gives the Senators term
double that of a Delegate and enables!
CORPORATIONS to accomplish the defeat or
Objectionable measures just as they have
in the past.
The convention by a very decided vote
refused to rescind the sections provid-
ing for the election of Secretary OF the
Commonwealth and State Treasurer by
the people. The body also, after con-
siderable fight, refused to rescind the
article providing for reduction OF State
taxes from 40 cents to 80 cents on the
$Ioo.
The work Of the convention is gen
orally approved Some of the ablest men
in the State say that the new cOnstl-
tuition will be one of the best offered
the people of Virginia for many years.
In brief the following are the salient
features of the suffrage plan adopted:
No man can vote unless he registers
after the plan goes into effect. Up to
January I, 1904, those can register who
have paid for the year before registry
State tax of at least ST., which means
the ownership of about 5000 worth OF
property; those can also register who
or whose fathers have rendered service
in the army or navy of the United States
or any State of the Confederate States :
and those can also register who are able
| to read and explain any section OF the
new constitution, or to understand and
explain it when read to them. Those
| thus registered are to remain perma-
| nent voters.
Subsequent to January I, 1904, those
can register who are able to write their
registration APPLICATIONS without assist
ance. The men on the permanent roll
and the men on the subsequent roll are
required to pay the annual capitaton
| tax of 81 50 six months before the cleo
ton, and this tax is made cumulative
| for a period of three years Excepted
| from the full tax requirement are only
| soldiers of the Civil War. The perma-
nent-roll men are allowed assistance in
preparing their ballots but such assist
ance is not allowed those on the subse-
quent rolls. The plan is modelled on
the plans in force in South Carolina and
Alabama, and its main provisions are
within the purview of the Williams case,
in which the Supreme Court Of the
United States sustaining the Mississippi
plan as not violating the fifteenth amend
ment.
While crazed by pain caused by can
Ger, Mr. James H. Barr, native of Win
chester, made a probably successful at
tempt at suicide at his home, near Win
! chester. His intense suffering had I'M
balanced his mind, and, securing a razor
in some way he slashed his throat from
ear to ear. Mr. Barr is u years old and
has a large family. He was a brave
| Confederate soldier serving i'll the Civil
/ War in Pierce's Cavalry. On his we'd
ding night, in 1862, Northern soldiers
surrounded the brides home during the
festivities and carried the groom off tC
! prison.
Mr.. John L. Campbell, secretary Of
Washington and Lee University, re-
ceived a telegram from Dr. George H.
| Denny. president of the university, who
, is in New York, stating that the fund Of
100000 for the establishment of chair
at Washington and Lee to the memory
of the late Hon. William L. Wilson was
formally completed. Former President
| Cleveland is chairman and Mr.. Herbert
Welsh, of Philadelphia, the secretary
| and treasurer.
The engagement of Capt Frank E
| Harris, of Fort Monroe, and Miss Marie
Geark POnzane, beautiful Philadel-
phia girl, is announced. The wedding
will occur in June Miss Bonzane. who
| is the daughter of a wealthy Philadel-
| phia business man. returned from Italy
several months ago. and a few weeks
since came to Old Point. where Captain
H7cris met her.
w. A. Wilcox, agent of the United
States Fish Commission, was in Rich
mond looking after the oyster industry.
| He will remain IN the tidewater district
during the month of July, studying oys-
ter planting.
The commission on improvements to
the capitol at Richmond met and decided
to invite all Virginia architects to sub
nit plans for the alterations. May
was fixed upon as the time when plans
are to be ready.
The suit of Bells heirs, celored. for
property valued at $4,000 in the east
end of Richmond will be carried to the
United States Supreme Court Judge
: Golf, of the Federal Circuit Court OF
Appeals, decided against Bells heirs a
few days ago.
| At Newport News William Miner. col
! ored, fell across stove in a Spasm and
was slowly roasted to death. Several