Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-15
NEW ERA IN VIRGINIA
Meeting Of Legislature in
Extraordinary Session.
ACT ON CONSTITUTION
SOME OF THE MEMBERS OPPOSED
TO 1T.
Want It Referred Direct to the People
The Governors Mes
sage.
ACT ON CONSTITUTION
SOME OF THE MEMBERS OPPOSED
tn TIT
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.

| Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
| RICHMOND, Va, July 15-The legisla-
| ture. convened at noon today. Thirty sew en-
senators and ninety members of the house
were present In the senate Mr. McIlwain
| ofered resolution providing for taking
the oath and giving recognition to the new
constitution. Senator Rivercomb (republi-
cam offered a substitute that it was the
| sense of the general assembly that meas
ures should be taken to submit the consti-
tuition to the people.
The governors proclamation converting
the legislature was read in the house and
the oath was administered to Speaker Ryan
and Clerk Williams. The speaker directed
the clerk to administer the oath, when
Delegate James r. Cation of Alexandria
arose and made a speech of an hour, de-
nying the right of the convention to pro-
claim the constitution and protesting
against taking the oath.
The senate adopted joint resolution pro-
viding for taking the oath and took a recess
until the house acted on the joint reSolu
ton. Mr.. Heernons (republican) of Mont
gomery opposed taking oath in speech
before the house.
The Governors Message.
The governors message to the legislature
was as follows:
'Your session at this time marks the end
of one era and the beginning of another in
the history of Virginia.
THE people have for years patiently
awaited a new organic law. made by them
Selves and for themselves, that they might
the better work out the problem of free
government in accordance with the genius
and heritage of their race. Such consum
nation has come to pass. and the work is
in your hands.
THAT the new constitution has cost time.
| la Dor and money, none will deny, but that
the task has been performed with energy,
wisdom and patriotism, all must admit.
Sharply defined differences of opinion have
existed, and ought to have existed, but
upon the whole the work seems to fulfill
the aspiration and command the approval
of the people and to make luminous the
pathway wherein our commonwealth may
move forward to higher destiny.
Legislation Needed.
But the new constitution will be little
| more than an academic plan of government
unless supported and made operative by
wise and sufficient legislation. The people
will perhaps test and measure the instru-
ment more by the character of legislation
| made in conformity thereto than by the
instrument itself Hence your great re-
sponsibility. which you will doubtless dis
charge with a united purpose, for differ
ences of opinion respecting the merits of
the constitution or its establishment should
| now no longer exist. The time for such
differences has passed, and the needs and
| the hopes of the people can be met. and
met only, by such legislation will put
into complete operation the whole inStru-
ment. l entertain the most confident hope
that you will meet the duties of the occa
sion, and assure you of my ready and full
corporation.
Intending this communication more as
a cordial greeting than formal message,
1 reserve for the future such suggestions
as may. in the discharge of my duty, seem
proper to be made.
The capital is thronged today with can
didates for judgeships and their friends.
1t is of the hottest contests ever seen.
No decision has been reached as to when
the matter will be taken up what work
will be undertaken at this session 1t is
excessively warm. The consensus of opin-
ion is that nothing shall be undert aiken but
the judgeships and the naming of a COM
mission to revise the statutes.