The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-01-19
CAREFUL REVIEW OF
CONVENTION WORK
which their representatives have ac-


CONTINUED from Eleventh Paseo
which their representatives have ac-
oompltshed?
sub5osned Will be found an cpitorc of
III, work done up to the present time BY
she convention and its various sianoihs
committees.
The Bill CT Rights.
T-he,, are some of the alterations to
the Bill of Rights:
Citizens cannot be damaged in their
property for public uses without their
cansent or without just compensation, 10
be tudicially ascertaincd Under the ora
Constitution. no matter how mnch q Gnu
xen's properly has been damaged, ne
Dan recover nothing unless the property
be actually taken by the corporation In
ntotins The damage The purpose of this
proyis;on is TO prevent injustice 10 IN
divsdual propcrty-owners.
Contrary to the practice under the
present Constitution, the Bill OF Rights
Is altered so as to allow the Common
wealth to appeal all cases for violation
OF the law relating TO the State revenue.
Juries are dispensed with when the &C
cused pleads guilty. as they likewise are
In misdemeanor cases upon the plea of
not guilty. In the latter case this is
done in the discretion Of the court, where
the accused and the Commemorative
Attorney consent It is anticipated that
this will greatly reduce expenses In jury
trials.
The General Assembly may provide by
law for a trial by justice of the peace,
OF persons accused Of criminal offcnses
not punishable by death or inlprison-
ment in the penitentiary, but appeals
may be had and the trial by jury pre-
served.
~, ro,,-,, sc,e,,},1,, WAY r,~oy-ide nv
law for trials by a jury OF five, in Grim
iaal cases where the punishment is less
than death or confinement in the pcni-
tertiary.
The General Assembly may provide for
turfes Of seven. in trials of civil cases
WILL result IN q substantial reduction In
the criminal expenses Of the State.
IHe uorIIu.4ieaf VI >duuu. =.
The new Constitution Will provide for
one court clerk in each county, instead
OF two in most Of the counties, as at
present 1t makes the county treasurer
ineligible for rc-ciecLion after he has
served two terms. covering the period
O! eight years. 1t IS commended that one
Of the causes OF so many shortages on
Lhe part Of county treasurers is the fact
that many Of them remain SO long in
Office that q final settlement Is rarely
exacted.
The new Constitution has provided that
the Commissioner of the Revenue may
he appointed in a manner TO be pre-
sertbed by law, which, If done. will rem
der these officers much more independ-
ent In the discharge of their duties. and
consequently much more efficient It
will also greatly increase the revenues
of the State
The Board OF County Supervisors. I'M
der the new Constitution, must meet at
fixed periods. They have their duties
and responsibilities greatly enlarged.
Spring elections are abolished, in 40
cordance with the action of the people
at the recent election III adopting a,
constitutional amendment ordering this
change, thus dispensing with frequent
elections and SAVING the cost thereof
Clerks OF the court are elcted for eight
years, and all other county officers for
four years. It is provided that no per-
son shall attempt to hold more than one
county office
The General Assembly is required to
enact a law providing for the eXamina-
tinn of the books and accounts Of all
State and county officers who collect or
disbu1se public funds. This is in line
with the proposition presented at the
session of the General Assembly two
years ago. for the appointment of travel
ing auditors to do this work, which bill
was almost unanimously passed by the
Senate and defeated by the House upon
the uncertainties of county officials. It
IS conte7ded that the enactment OF such
q law will operate to prevent loss 10 the
State and municipal governments by fire.
quent defalcations.
Executive Department.
The Governor is required to be inaugu-
tated on some day later than January 1st,
In order that the General Assembly,
Declare the vote for Governor, may not be
required to assemble prior to the Christ
mas Holidays. Heretofore the General
Assembly adjourned for the holidays,
thus losing two weeks OF valuable time.
No person is eligible to the Governorship
rnder the new Constitution until he has
been resident of the State for at least
live years.
The Governor Is given the power to sus-
PEND all executive officers, except the
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and report the same
10 the General Assembly. The Governor
b also authorized to inspect the official
books nnd accounts Of all executive OH
iers and superin tendents Of State instl
ht1ons.
In order to pass bill over the Gov
srnor's veto two-thirds of the mem
teaS elected 10 the General Assembly must
tote for 1t. and not two-thirds Of those
resent, as is provided under the old
Constitution.
II the Governor approves the general
purpose of bill. but disapprovea OF any
bart thereof, he may return it to the
iousc in which It originated with recon-
hcndadons for it's amendment in its OBJ
ectionable feature Under the existing
sonstttution il the Governor approved the
,eneral purpose of q bill but objected to
/ particular feature In 1t he had no a.
ernative but must veto OF approve the
h.ire bill
Tho Governor IS also given the right
10 veto any item or items in approrria-
ION bills and approve the remaining
lerns. Under the existing Constitution
lie Inust approve all or none; thus fire.
nently compelling the Executive TO
anction what seems TO him to be ua-
tsst, uIreasona BILE and eItraYaga nt items
II appropriation.
The Governor may approve measure
" signing Ids name thereto within ten
lays after the adjournment OF the Cen
ral Assembly: under the existing Cen
sitution the General Assembly frequent
remains noiIlinally in session for ten
lays subsequent TO tho date OF adjourn