The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-05-29
-FOUR BIC Guns
TO FIR TO-DAY
Wysor. Glass, Meredith { and
Thorn May Speak.
10 POSTPONE VOTING OF INC. HOUR Q
Question WIN Probably Not Be Settled
Until the Afternoon session-Mr.
Robertson. Strong speGh
for Submission.
TO POSTPONE VOTING HOUR.

SyOt.00OSSuoSsSste
The session OF the convention yester-
day was very short one. having lasted
tnlx, an hour and q. quarter. Beyond the
delivery By Mr.. Robertson. OF Roanoke.
a = brief blu. very able speech in favor
: 81 subnaitting the Constitution to the
s,reGert electorate for ratification or re-
sectiou. no business of Importance was
disposed OF There were several iuiis. N
which The members chatted with eacn
other, and several motions 70 ADJOURN GU
nos have the effect OF pressing any other
seekers 70 tho front It is believed that
Mcsas. Thorn, Wysor, Meredith and
Ciess viii speak to-day and that the
: hour for taking the vote on the main
question viii be postponed until 8 o'clock
CHS evening II Is likely that there Wl1i
;be no objection to this as there are many
] who desire TO hear the dig guns Heii-
1ionea above.
Even should no others speak, these -FOUR
uen constitute perfect arsenal WITHIN
themselves, and the battle will hkeiy
rage fiercely all day. Mr.. Wysor VIII
doubtless lead on. as he Indicated his
purpose to do so before adjournment yes
xefday. "
Tho convention was called to order at
10 o'clock by President Goode and prayer
was offered by DR.. Richard Mc1lwaine. Z
Seventy members answered to their
names and the journal OF tho previous
days proceedings was read and approved.
Messrs. Flood and Glass. who were alb.
sent on Tuesday, awere in their seats.
NuYaerous petitions in relation to the.
terms OF court clerks were presented and
referred.
It seemed that no one. desired to speak
mn the main question, and Mr.. O'Flaherty
moved to adjourn. but the motion was
rejected. Mr. Robertson. OF Roanoke,
finally took the floor to state his rea-
sons for the vote he said he would cast
for submission to the present electorate.s
EIe cared not he said. to discuss eilner
.l1e legal or moral phase of the question.
hut he proposed to state frankly to his
constituents and tie people OF the State
why he thought the instrument shouid
ne submitted. 1Mr. Robertson paid tri-.
.,1;fe to his colleagues IN the convention
and was sure the differences OF opinion
On the subject under consideratio ton were
honest differences. and ne enao no Qu i
with his opponents.
DOUBTS LEGAL RIGHT.
The speaker had some doubt In his mind
hs fo the legal right of the convention
To proclaim the Constitution and he
Thought there was sufficient douDt 70
make the convention pause and consider
whether they were nor ABOUT 10 lHo"
away all their splendid work
1--WE ought to do the SAFE lhlns any. anu
Ernst the people, said the speaker. and
Ihen there will be no doubt that we Will
have q new organic law.
STRONGER REASON.
But Mr.. Robertson said there was an
sven a stronger reason for submission.
md it was the pledge made In the NOR
Folk convention to submit
hat Yf1a
Is honest as Individuals. and said Tor
his own part he proposed to carry out
that pledge by his vote. The speaker
rock IN the question of releasing mem
bers from the alleged pledge and denied
The right OF local meetings to accomplish
This purpose.
movement in the State. and argued ably
thar it had been well understood at
livery stage OF the proceedings. that
whatever instrument might be finally
framed should be submitted to the pres
Int electorate
He commended that the pledge was
nnade to the whole people and not to the
Democrats alone. He had made the
6aedge to his people personally. and In
Flew OF that and the binding force OF
S HE Norfolk pledge, no one and no meet
ing could release him. He had heard 1t
said that the people were Incapable to
Understand the new instrument. He de-
S hied this, and said the whole people OF
HE State had more sense than the Con-
i,endon. He SAID he had not the courage
10 thrust Constitution on his people
without giving them an opportunity to
Improve 1t. even though he might en-
horse every hne IN it himself
The speech was an exceptionally strong
6 pne. and was loudly cheered by the Con.
Rention.
Mr.. Anderson, of Allegheny, moved
that the Chair be vacated until o'clocl
s r. NJ. but the motion was lost ant
there was another long wait
Mr. r. Walton Moore offered reso
hutton Directing the secretary of the con.
l.ention to deliver to the law library OF
The University Of Virginia a set O.
s. New York Associated Constitutions, which
s Fad been purchased for the use OF the
fonvention. The resolution was adopted
Snd there were several motions to adjourn
made and rejected.
mr. Gordon. of Richmond city, moved
That the names OF those who proposed
10 speak be put in hat and shaken up
ina that lots be drawn. The motion wa
hot put. and another motion to ad5our'
Gas made by Mr.. Gordon, of Richmond
Ind adopted amid applause.
The adjournment was until 10 o'clccl
mis- morning. when Mr.. Wysor Will prob
Ably lead off for submission to the pres
mt electorate.