The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-02-13
ABLE DEB AIEs''
IN COW EN- ton |
Messrs. Meredith and Anderson
Heard Yesterday.
. FORMER FOR BRAxT 70 PLAN
The Attorney General Spoke IN Opposition
to the Adoption Of the msior "
proposi.ou-Mr. lbom
IndispoIed.
FORMER FOR BRAxTON PLAN.

AS forecasted In the columns OF The
Times yesterday, the Barbour resolution.
5iaing one o'clock as the time for general
debate on the Corporation Committees
report TO cease, was disregarded. The
first work OF the convention was to res
cind it. Six more hours Of debate were
enjoyed Mr. Meredith occupied most Of
tas morning session. and Attorney-Gen-
srni Anderson consumed the time of the
afternoon meeting.
Both gentlemen were at their best
In supper. OF the minority report, MIR
Meredith spceoh was generally spoken
Of Is the most compact ccgent and con-
vincing argument get made He was at
times very plain spoken, and at all times
kept the undivided attention OF his audi
ence
Attorney-General anderson made
very profound impression. His argument
against The report was on the HES
adopted by Me-sfs- Robertson. HaLrlsun
and Hamilton, nut contained more Stink
ing and original points. Coming from the
ATTORNEY General of the State, his doubt
as 10 t,ls consiit, ucnaIity of some OF
tha provisions of the ordinance created
something Of a sensation and evidently
caused nutter In the ranks OF tie oppo-
sition. When he declared that the purl-
fration of the suffrage and election laws
and q few economic reforms We're the par
amount issues before the people, and that
s ha would not support the best corpora
zion law ever devised by human wisdom.
n it endanse4 ed the adoption OF the Con-
,stjtutlcn. the chamber was as still as
death There was no app.auss during
his speech, but close attention was given
Messrs. Stuart, Stebbins and h-eezell
made brief and impressive statements
in favor of the report.
mir. Thorn was sick when his time to
speak arrived. and the convention ad-
iourned twenty minutes ahead OF time
If able, Mr. Thorn will probably take
I'm the time of the convention in a, mas
terly argument to-day, and Chairman
israxton will close the debate by Friday
noon.
Rev. D. A. Solly, of the Emmanuel
Baptist Church, opened the morning ses-
sion with prayer, President pro TEN w. a
Anderson in the chair. Seventy members
answered to the roll-call.
MIR. Wysor presented a petition from
citizens OF Pulaski in relation to the Bar
bour-Quarles resolution.
Mr.. Barbour stated that he understood
an arrangement had been made between
Chairman Braxton and Hunton Tor the
conclusion of the general debate on the
report of the Committee on Corporations.
THIS had been done before he introduced
the resolution fixing the time at clock
Yesterday to take up that report section
by section. In view of this, he moved to
reconsider the vote by which the resolu-
tfcn was adopted. The motion prevailed.
A report was received from the Auditor
showing the number of colored voters IN
the State owning over 500 worth of prop
erty. 1t was ordered printed.
FIGHT BEGINS.
Mr. Meredith when the Committee of
the Whole went into consideration of the
report Of the Committee on Corporations,
proceeded to speak in support of the ma
iority report. He began by outlining the
plan of attack which had always been
adopted by the railroads in opposing and
defeating every proposition which had
been offered, and he began with the de-
feat of the employers liability bill.
He related his experience In the Legisla-
sure when, as labor of law Tor the work
sng men, he pleaded before a legislative
committee for the passage of such meas
ire He said the railroads pursued the
same tactics then that they have adopted
\ Sn this convention. He referred to the
Mason bill and declared that 1t was
never intended to be of any practical SER
vice, and the bill now offered by Mr.. Hun