Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-07-16

recognized by the General Assembly as the
constitution of Virginia and
Resolved further, That the members OF
each House Of the said General Assembly 90
now proceed to take and Subscribe the oatn or
affirmation ordained by the said convention.
Mr.. Rivercomb, the republican mem
Der from Allegheny, offered the follow
ing substitute
Whereas the statute which called into ex-
;s,ence The recent constitutional convention
of This state. contemplated that the constitu-
t;on 10 be framed by said convention should
he submitted TO the people for their ratinca-
ton or rejection and
Whereas Il was the understanding and belief
On the part Of the people Of the State that said
constitution would be submitted TO them LOT
their approval or rejection and
Whereas the said convention has under,aH
en-. in defiance of law and precedent anu IN
contrayention of the most sacred rights OF the
neonIe of this State, to proclaim the instru-
ment framed by it; therefore, be It
Resolved That II is the sense of this body
that the present Legislature has the night, ana
that il is also its duty, to take suitable meas
ures TO submit the said constitution framed as
aforesaid. to the people of this State for their
ratification or rejection.
Mr.. Wickham, of Hanover, raised a
point of order as to whether the substl-
tute of Mr.. Revercomb was sufficiently
germane to the joint resolution as to be
proper TO be discussed at this time.
Considerable discussion followed, in
which Messrs. Wickham, McIlwaine,
Opie, LYLE, Glass, Keezell, and Others
took part. The chair finally decided
that the substitute of Mr.. Rivercomb
was not germane to the joint resolution.
The vote was at once taken then on the
Joint resolution, and it was adopted,
only Mr.. Revercomb voting "no."
After the oath resolution had been
adopted and the members had been
sworn a joint committee was appointed
to wait on the governor and advise him
that the general assembly was organized
ready for business, and awaited his
pleasure. His excellency, few minutes
later, sent in a short message which was
read in both houses and ordered to be
printed The message was one OF the
shortest ever sent to the general assem-
bly, at the opening of a session. 1t is as
follows:
To the General Assembly:
Your session at this time marks the end oil
one era and the beginning Of another IN the
history of Virginia. The people have for
years patiently awaited a new organic law,
made By themselves and for themselves, that
they might the better work out the problem
of free government in accordance with the
genius and heritage Of their race. Such a
a.. L.. q.
is in yO1r hands.
That the new constitution has cost time,
labor. and money none will deny; but that
the task has been performed with energy,
wisdom, and patriotism all must admit.
Sharply defined differences of opinion have
| existed. and ought 10 have existed, but upon
the whole the work seems 10 fulfill the aspir-
alton and command the approval of the people
and to make luminous the pathway wherein
our Commonwealth may move forward to a
higher destiny.
But the new constitution will be little more
than an academic plan of government unless
supported and made operative by wise and
SUIT ent legislation. The people will, perhaps,
test and measure the instrument more by the
character of legislation made in conformity
thereto than By the instrument itself. Hence
your great responsibility which you will
doubtless discharge with united purpose
for differences of opinion respecting the merit
ofthe constitution or its establishment should
now no longer exist. The time for such diff
fcrences has passed and the needs and the
hopes of the people can be met, and met only
by such legislation as will put into complete
operation the whole instrument. | entertain
the most confident hope that you will NEE
the duties Of the occasion and assure you o
my ready and full cooperation.
Intending this communication more as ;
cordial greeting than a formal message, ! re
serve for the future such suggestions as may
in the discharge of my duty, seem proper t.
be made. A. j. MONTAGUE.
1t is thought that the judgeship eau
Gus will be deferred until next Tuesda!
night. Judge Timothy Rives, of Prince
George, withdrew last night from thu
contest in the Third circuit, leaving th'
race between Judge West, of Sussex
and Mr.. Robert Turnbull, of Brunswick
Electric fans were being put in the legis
lative halls last night and more com
Portable temperature may be expected
This also means a longer session. 1t j
regarded as pretty well settled that
commission will be appointed to reyis
the statute laws to conform to the new
constitution