The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-05-25
HON BLAIR
|SFOR: SUBMISSION ! !. ! 81 [ !
Presents His Views at Length in
Convention.
DELEGATE BARB 0UR PR E !;
President Goode Leaves Him in Charge.
Adjournment Until Noon Nor
row, When the Debate Will Be
Resumed on Question.
DELEGATE BARBOUR PRESIDES

Tho Constitutional Convention was In
session little upwards Of two hours
yesterday, and at 1880 P. NJ. an adj.
journment was had until noon to-mor-
row.
The greater portion OF the session was
consumed by Hon. r. w. Blair (Rep) of.
Wythe, who spoke for nearly two hours
in favor Of submitting the Constitution
to the present electorate for ratification
or rejection. He was given good atten-
ton and was Auerally applauded when
he resumed his seat.
There was nothing OF striking interest
In the days session. unless it was Mr..
Blair's speech.
THE DAY IN DETAIL
In the absence Of President Goode, who
was out of the city, Hon. John S. Barbour,
Of Culpeper, called the convention to
order at 10 O'clock. and prayer was Of
fercd by Rev. DR.. E. N. Caliscn. The
roll-call discovered the presence OF
sixty-two members, and the journal or
the previous days proceedings was read
and approved.
ono DAY 3 leave Ok 1u0oAAt>C 3" 90 b eAAAs
ed President Goode and one days leave
to Senator Daniel. Several other leaves
were granted, and on motion Of Mr.
Walker, it was decided that when the
convention adjourn it be to meet at noon
tomorrow.
The morning hour having expired, Mr..
Blair (Republican). of Jvythe, took the
floor and spoke at some length in favor
of submitting the Constitution to the
present electorate.
Mr.. Blair devoted a great deal of time
to constituting the alleged Democratic
pledges on the subject, and was several
times interrupted by Democratic mem
bers He said Democratic pledges were
usually made to run on and not to stand
on. Here Mr.. Blair took up the matter
Of the election in calling the convention,
and said it had been carried through by
manipulating the negro vote In Eastern
Virginia.
MR.. FLOOD DENIES.
The speaker declared that the arrange
ment of the ticket was made to defraud
the ignorant voters, in that 1T put the
burden Of marking the ticket upon the
ignorant who desired to vote against
the calling Of the convention
Mr.. Flood interrupted Mr.. Blair and
denied the statement and the conven-
ton witnessed the spectacle Of two ad-
vocates Of submission to the present
electorate, engaged i'll a pretty running
debate on the political questions IN
volved.
Mr.. Blafr's effort was largely campaign
speech; evidently made to go out among
his constituents in the printed record
for he was disposed all along to admit
that he was speaking in q hopeless
cause. He raped some Of his Demo
cratic colleagues on the size of mass
meetings recently held, and declared
that 1t was a ''hatched-up" sentiment
in favor of proclaiming the new instru,
ment. The speaker labored consider
ably several times during the course OF
his remarks; as the subject appeared 70
be a rather dry one to most OF ms near
ers.
ARRANGEMENTS PREDICTED.
Mr.. Blair undertook after devotins
much time to- the political side OF the
question. to demonstrate the illegallty
of nroclama ton, ana he cited many
authorities which he claimed supported
his contention. lie argued that the work
of the body would fail in the courts, alld
nainted pictures Of all kinds Of entangle-
| ments that he claimed would arise
| should the new instrument be proclaimed
Mr.. Blair warmed up to an eloquent
| peroration with which he closed, and his
colleagues gave him tlattering appaluse
MI, Robertson said he would move te
adjourn unless some member favorinE
proclamation should desire to go on IL
made the motion, and the vote upon rol
call resulted. ayes %; noes, 81, and the
body refused to adjourn.
Mr.. Wise stated that he had handed
his speech on the suffrage question t
the stenographer to be printed under
leave of the Convention. Another mo
ton to adjourn was made and prevailed
by a vote of q to "a, and the body stoot
adjourned until noon tomorrow.