The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-04
DAY Dull ON
in CON- E|NiIlONI
The Corporations Report Was
Discussed at Length.
SEVERAL ECTIoNs PASSED BY.
It is Probable This Matter VIII BE Finally
Disposed Of To- Day, and Taxation
Measure Will Then
Come Up.

Yesterday was the most ncnotonous
and uninteresting session of the conven-5
ton yet held Tor four hours the sections
OF. the corporal ton report were considered.
the amendments offered and the speeches
being almost identical with those made
last week and the weeks before, when
the report was being considered in COM
mittee+ of the Whole.
All amendments except those submitted
for the committee. principally Of verbi-
age. were rejected By the usual large ma
jorities.
Several section which will Se fruitful
of debate and contention were passed by
because the advocates Of amendments
thereto We're not present. Consideration
OF nine sections was completed, leaving
seven yet to he adopted. The conven-
ton will probably be able to complete
the report to-day, and will take up next
that of the Committee on Finance and
Taxation.
OATS PROCEEDINGS.
President Goode called the convention
to order at 1915 o'clock. Prayer was
offered by Rev. Alfred Bagby. OF the
BAPTIST Church., siaty-nine members be-
Ing present.
Judge G. Il. Anderson offered reso-
luton, resembling the action of the con-
vention in providing for biennial cleo
tons of members of the General AS
sembly and substituting the following:
Resolved, That sections L and OF
the report on the Legislative Depart
ment, as adopted by the convention, ana
the same are hereby, rescinded, and that
the following be substituted therefor:
The House of Delegates shall consist
of not more than one hundred and not
less than ninety members; the Senate
shall consist of not more than forty, nor
less than thlrty-three members. Members
Of the General Assembly shall be elected
Quadrennially, for the term of four years,
on Tuesday succeeding the first Monday
i nNovember, by the voters OF the sew
eral cities and counties constituting the
respective legislative and senatorial dis
tricts For the election Of members of
the House of Delegates and members OF
the Senate, the counties, cities and towns
shall be divided into districts.
Mr.. Manly Barnes presented memo
rial praying for repeal Of the provision
making treasurers ineligible tor election
for a third term.
BRIBERY OF VOTERS.
Mr.. O'Flaherty presented q resolution
instructing the Legislature to provide for
punishment of persons guilty or bribery
fvoters and election frauds. 1t had a
long preamble, which the presiding officer
called "a stump speech in the stomach
of the BILL
Consideration Of the corporation report
was resumed. Sections 5 and were
passed by on account OF the absence OF
Messrs. Eggleston and Hamilton.
Sections g. relating to amendments OF
existing charters; Z, to the exercise of the
right of eminent domain; eight, contain
ing the long and short haul clause: ten,
prohibiting the use Of free passes or like
privileges by judges. members of General
Assembly &c, were adopted without
material amendment or opposition.
Section II, the employers liability bill,
was passed by on request of Chairman
Braxton who wishes to perfect an amend
ment.
Section IL relating to foreign corpora
tons doing business in the State. provok-
ed debate, on an amendment offered by
General Ayres to allow foreign railway
corporations to build branch roads not
exceeding twenty miles.
General Ayers referring to the clause
prohibiting foreign corporation frGn,
or municipal franchise in addition to
such as it may now own or operate in
the State. said the Baltimore and Ohio
reads had been decided by the Supreme
Court to be foreign corporations. He
insisted that these corporations, before
they would take out a Virginia charter d,Isr
prefer to cease building any further
branch roads whatever.
The discussion was prolonged by Alessrs.
Thorn in favor of and Green and BraX-
tor in oppositionto the amendment, pend
ing which a. recess was taken until &
o'c;cck.
Afternoon Session.
Upon reassembling Judge Green, chair
man OF the Committee on Bill Of Rights.