Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-02-20
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

TIE constitutional convention held
its session vest ,rdsy 10 the assembly
room of the Virginia Mechanics IOstl-
tute
The question OF elections by the peo-
pie consumed the whole of the morning
sessi02 and mott of that of the after
noon. II came up on the proposition
to amend section three Of the corpora
ton commission report go as to provide
for the election OF the members of the
commission by the people instead OF
having them appointed by the govern
or. This made the eighth time this
question had been debated 10 the con-
veDtioD, but the members went st 1t ss
though 1t were al entirely new ques-
ton
At the afternoon session 1t was de-
cided that the Board OF Commissioners
for toe term to end 10 1908 should be
appointed by the governor. The salary
provision was amended to make 1t "a
900 instead OF So 600.
Mr.. Baxton offered en- important
amendment to section IL, which was
adopted. Mr.. Brsxton said the COM
mittee had recognized the fact that
stock OF q company under modern
conditions did not represent the amount
OF capital invested as formerly, bu
rather the good will aud prospect OF
success OF the corport ton. The amend.
ment met this view. II required pub
licity. but the requirement that no stat
ute shall be enacted authorizing any
corporation to issue it's stock as full
paid at less than per value. had been
stricken out.
The committee on fual revision and
adjustment held q meeting yesterday
before the assembling OF the conven-
ton. The work ahead was discussed,
though there was not quorum
present. Mr.. J. V. BrennamaD, one OF
the CONVEX ton clerks who had been re.
quested to prepare a table of the ex-
pirstion OF terms of all State, county,
city, district, aud town officers under
the new constitution. submitted the re.
suit OF bis labors. II is the plao OF
the committee for the terms of all Of
icers under the new constitution, ex-
cept judges OF the Supreme Court OF
Appeals, to begin January l, 1904.
This will lengthen the terms OF all
whose terms expire before that date
and cuItiil the length Of service OF
those whose terms would extend
longer.
1t has been pretty we'll decided by
the convention com miltee on final re-
vision that the present general assem-
bly, shall enact the necessary legisla-
ton to put the new constitution into
effect. 1t Is proposed that the present
members Of the Senate and House
shall hold over to January l, 1904, and
that the legislature shall meet next
January, remaining in session as long
as may be required to enact the Deces-
sary laws TO put the constitution into
effect The members are 10 receive 81
q day.
Commonwealth attorneys Ia the
general assembly will be expected from
the rule OF inhibition until January /,
1904. The new judiciary system will go
into effect 10 January, 1902, the regu-
lar session Of the new general assembly
electing new judges. Members of the
Legislature and county officers will be
chosen in November of next year.
A joint committee from the conven.
ton and legislature will draft and rec
ommend the necessary changes 10 the
statutes to be made by the gesersl as
sembly. The convention, it lie pro.
posed, shall take recess for thirty
days after completing the constitution
and having 1t printed for circulation
among the people. The question OF
submission or proclamation will then
be settled.