The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-01-18
THE DAY IN DETAIL.

THE DAY IN DETAIL.
The convention was opened with prayer
by Rev. c. @. Meade of the Episcopal
Church. seyenty-four members being
present.
erai members.
Mr. Wise explained that he voted for
biennial elections yesterday under mis-
apprehension He wanted quadrennial
elections and biennial sessions.
Air. Meredith explained that he nad
voted Ey mistake for quadrennial ses-
sions He desired biennial sessions ana
quadrennla. elections,
The unfinished business, being mo-
ton by Mr. z. Walton Moore Thursday
10 pass by the motion made by MI
O'Flaherty to reconsider the vote by
which the motion to strike out quadren-
NAL sessions and substitute biennial ses-
sons prevailed, was taken UP.
The motion to pass by was rejected
ayes, 80; noes Il.
The pending question was called on the
motion to reconsider the vote by Which
biennial sessions was adopted. The
motion was lost and the convention re-
fused to reconsider-aves 81; noes rs,
AS TO QUADRENNIAL ELECTIONS.
Mr.. Withers then moved to reconsider
tho vote by which Section Three, pro-
viding for quadrennia elections of Seua-
tors was adopted. He said he wanted
to get rid of the hold-oyer Senate. Since
biennial sessions had been agreed upon,
he desired to have section three amended
so chat two years could be substituted for
four-year elections. thus leaving all the
Senators and members of the House OF
Delegates to be elected at the time.
The motion to reconsider prevailed
ayes, IL: noes, 81
Mr. Withers moved to strike out four
years in line three Of section three and
insert two years
Mr. Ayers offered an amendment, sub
stituting the provision OF the present
Constitution.
Mr. Flood made Z strong speech in ia
vor of The hol.i-over Senate. He de-
clared there had been TO demand Tor
his He had Eeen an earnes. advocate
for a Constitutional Convention tor sever
years for tie purpose Of adopting an Ell
icient suffrage plan and not to upturn
and tear down everything else, and rot
even give the suffrage question q single
hour of consideration i'll the convention
aften snsor7 nom hs' existence
TRIBUTE TO THE SENATE.
Mr. Flood then pau 2 glowing tribute
to the Senate of Virginia, and recounted
through, and had put the State in the
front rank Of progress and financial ue-
yelop!nent He aSllSd what g9od could
be accomplished by the convention con-
tinuaily putting the Legislature on trial?
Was there any justification or excuse for
1t? He was one who cordially approved
of the appropriation by the Senate OF
$500 900 to the old Confederate solu4ers
of Virginia. On every stump in Virginia
no MI haI N an !,,,
Democratic candidates ami sp akers, that
as soon as there was money enough
in the treasury 10 spare, it would be
distributed to alleviate their needs and
their sufferings. He was in favor of
keeping all pledges made to lac people.
Mr.. O'Flahecty-..Is there any danger
in having Sy1ators come fresh from the
people,"
Mr.. Flood: Unless some good reason
is given there is no justification IN max
ins this change in tie Constitution which
has worked well ever since Virginia was
a Commonwealth
THE FATAL AMENDMENT.
Mr.. Meredith offered an amendment
providing that the members of the SEN
ate should be elected at the same tune
and for the same term as members OF
the House of Delegates.
Mr.. Withers accepted the amendment.
Mr. Meredith said this would bring the
square issue as to whether members or
the Senate and House should be elected at
the same time for the same term without
confoundns the time of the term WI athar'
four years or two years. He strongly adj
yocated election of both branches OF The
Legislature for the same term.
AIR. Carter moved to have the matter
passed by. 1t was too serious to te
sDrrns and decided off hand.
Mr. Meredith DECLARED that the time
to settle this thing was right now. lie
did not believe the opponents Of quadran-
NAL elections cared 4 straw about thai
principle, and it was the destruction or