The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-01-31
COW El|11IO'l WORK I
BEING; PRESSED.
Agricultural Report Is Nearly.
Completed.
! ~
DON'T NEED PRACTICAL MAN.
Body Refuses to Require That Commissioner
g s, Be CHARACTERIZATION and Finance
'oM Report Submitted corpor-
se.i.l alton Light.

(. y
day. and it begins to look as if the end is
insight. The consideration of the Com
n1ittee on Agriculture was nearly COM
plEted in Committee of the WhoLe, aud
that, of taxation and finance was laid be-
fore the committee and ordered printed.
This is the last report to come from
asa if the work Of the con-
yention were drawing to a close
Chairman Braxton, of the Corporation
Committee. gave notice that he would
call up the report of his committee IN
tie. convention and ask that It's consldera-
ton be begun in Committee of the Whole.
Mr.. ;Hunton said he would ask its post
ponenent until Monday. The agricul-
tural report caused much discussion yes.
terday, but no sweeping amendments
were. adopted. The body adjourned at
l:45 P. NJ until 10 o'clock to-day
Mr.. Hubbard offered an amendment re-
quiring that the Commissioner or ssrl-
culture should be a practical farmer.
Mr.. Stuart said he hated to so on rec
ord as opposing anything that sounded
as we'll as that, but it was not as Goou
asst sounded He said 1t would unduly
hamper the discretion Of the Board IN
making a selection.
& Mr.. O'FIaherty said some OF the pest
farmers he knew were good lawyers. MI.
Fairfax said such a provision might nave
prevented the selection of the present SUI
perintendent.
1LThe amendment was defeated-ayes, 5;
noes, As.
ypMr. Hubbard offered to amend by requlr-
isg that the commissioner shall have had
some experience in. farming. L MS amend
mcnt was defeated also.
- AR Brown offered an amendment pro
viding for a Bureau Of Immigration, to
d., of
and Immigration, which was aoopteu.
taAIr. Lindsay made an effort TO strlhe
out the authority given the Legislature
to add as many other members to the
State Board as it saw fit. lie lost ny
arvote Of 26 to q.
MIR. WATSON'S VIEWS.
Mr.. Watson moved to strike OUT the
whole section and substitute therefor
rim,}le direction to the Legislature TO
establish and maintain a department OF
agriculture and immigration, with us
Office at the seat of government, ana
such branches as might be deemed ne
cessary.
He made an earnest speech in sup
port of his substitute, declaring that n"
ywo members of the committee l.se1l
agFeed as to the wisdom OF the detalls
Which these agricultural doctors had re-
commended.
chairman Stuart opposed the substitute
and declared that in this day OF electilc
light and power. the only farmers VINO
made money out Of their business "ere
those who attended strictly to 1T ana
studied all the questions of new crops,
new markets, and varying conditions or
s9ii ind climate He contended that to
be able to reap the full advantage OIL
modern experience and theory, IL was
essential to have such an institution DIS
the department. at Blacksburg and at
os hlf
was no matter of State government more
important to be embraced in the organic
}aTFUof the State than the Department
oct iagriculture.
Mrs O'Flaherty made warm speech
along the same line.
Mr.. r. l.. Gordon supported the SUD
stitute contendinga that section OF the
report. by providing that the LeSlsla-
ture should add as many members 70
the board as it desired, practically null
fed the stability of the Board OF -Asrl-
culture, and it would be just as Well 10
leave the whole matter with the Genera
Assembly.
DR.. Runaway favored the substitute
and said he was not in favor of putting
LEGISLATION in the Constitution.
MIR. Claggett Jones took exceptions 10
an intimation from Mr. O'Flaherty that
yha white counties of the State were re-
tarded in advancement by representatives.
rom the Black Belt. He declared that
it, the white counties, like Clarke and
Warren, did not increase their assess
ments for taxation or pay more taxes
into the State government, if they We're
cutGoff from the Eastern counties they
could not run a, State government for
thirty days. He was proceeding to quote
the stax returns when he was called TO
order: and Messrs. OFlaherty and Stuart
disclaimed any purpose to reflect on the
,#.,,,<,,
reigned.
Rev r. NJ. Maxcy, of the Methodist
Church. opened the convention with
prayer and there were two hearty
IAfnens'' heard in the hall when he
pleaded that if the people did not endorse
the lrwork Of the Constitutional Conven
ton it would be SO performed that the
Almighty would approve it.
CgThcrc We're SiXty-nine members pres
elrt!-T
Chairman Green, of the Committee on
Bill of Rights. presented the report OF
the committee.
gG,hairman Fairfax of the Committee
onz Finance, submitted the report OF that
committee.
This is the last report coming from
any regular standing committee. and it
was presented at 1925 o'clock.
The. usual order TO print was made.
On motion Of Chairman Stuart the
collyention went into committee OF tile
Whole. to consider the report OF the
Com tee on Agriculture.
'Iily.a was aLmotion pending, offered
w Mr. Keezcll, to strike out the clause
OF. section 1. providing that the rector
81 The Board of Visitors and the presi-
dte.iit OF the Virginia Polytechnic Insti-
tittte should he members. ex-officio of The
! Board OF Agriculture.
!4Anather amendment had been offered
| tT Mr.. Parks, providing that the ex-oticio
members should have no vote in the
1 election Of officers.
ME-. BROWNS OPPOSITION.
Mr.. Brown of the Committee made a
{ very able and earnest address.He strongly
/ opposed both amendments and showed
| how important to the agricultural in
/ 1ercsts OF tbs State the recommendations
| of tbs Co1umitte was lie insisted that
[ The. only way to produce harmony and