The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-01

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Braxton, Brooke, Brown, Cameron, Sar75i
B ter, Crismond, Dunaway, Epes, James w
Gordon, Ciaggett 3. Jones. Ct. w. Jones
Kendall. McIlwaine Meredith, Moncure,s
r. Walton Moore, Orr. Pollard. Portlock.:
Rives; Robertson Stuart, Thorn; THORN
ton, Turnbull, Wescott and WISE.
In the debate on this question Alessrs:s
Kendall and Braxton ma de very earnest
speeches in opposition to the amendment
and defending the committee from CRUZ
c.sms which had been made Tor at flrst5
having voted to provide for election by;
the people and afterwards placing the
appointment in the hands of the Cover
nor. They strongly resented any init
nation of having been Improperly IN
fiuenced in making the change, and In
sisted that the most careful and unbiased.
consideration had been given the sub
Ject by the committee.
But the event Of the debate was the
rcd-hot ten minutes speech in support OF.
election by the people which was made
by Congressman H. D. Flood. It was an
OFF. hand, fe1-vid, impassioned, and elo-s
quent arraignmentE Of the convention for
taking all possible power from the*Leg-5
lSlature and the people and concentrat-
ing it in the hands of the Governor, and
when he concluded the convention hall,
rang with spontaneous applause from
the members and the large number of
assembled visitors.
The speech sounded like campaign
keynote and will yet. perhaps, become
famous
MIR. FLOODS SPEECH.
Mr.. Tlood reviewed the work of the con
vention, now fast approaching compile
ton, and charged that in not single
departmental the State government had
the convention failed to take away rights
and privileges from til o people or the
Legislature and give them to the Gov
ernor. He said in the Agricultural De-
partment. they had pretended to throw a
sop to the people by having the Com
missioner of Agriculture elected by the
people, but they had stripped him OF all
power, dignity and authority, having
transferred it to the Board of sAgricul-
ture which the people could not elect,
but must be appointed by the Governor.
The same was absolutely true Of the
Superintendent OF Public Instruction, the
chiefs Of both departments being made
less than contemplate clerks to boards
appointed by the Governor. Every public
institution-educa tional, eleemosynary,
charita bic or crinlina1-had been placed
directly in the Governors control. and
notscontent with that a centra board Of
twelve, directly 4inder the Governors
hand and eye, had to be created TO put a
still stronger grasp upon every public
institution-in the state. No slater than
yesterday an attempt. had been made to
strengthen his almost autocratic power
by placing the. Adjiltant-G General of the
military forces of5theEState in his imme.
date control. Power had been given him
to suspend every officer of the State gov
eminent that even the people had been
allowed to elect. His control over the
Eesislat ure had been advanced by giving
him additional veto power and placing
every item of appropriation almost en-
tirely in his hands.
And now, to cap the climax, said the
speaker, by giving, him the appointment
of three railroad commissioners, it was
proposed to place in his hands the power
to wiring from corporate wealth enough
money to successfully conduct any polit-
ical campaign that the mind, Of the most
ambitious could desire. Not only could
campaign fat be fried, but almost every
one Of the army of officeholders and
corporations in the State had been placed
completely at his mercy.
1'E1E PEOPLES WISHES.
''The people, Mr.. Flood passionately
exclaimed, .'sent us here to build for
them a Constitution rejecting their Will
and respecting their rights What have
You done? Not only taken away their
blood-bought rights, but have placed them
in the hands of one man, who, If he
chooses. can build UP a machine to op-
press or to crush them
The speakers ten minutes expired here.
and motion to extend his time was
made. Mr.. Flood said he would not con-
tinue the sickening list of outrages on
the rights of the Legislature and the peo-
pie.
After the defeat Of the amendment Mr..
Keezell sought to have an amendment
adopted SO that the Legisla-Ire coi,:l
have the right to provide for the election
by the people Of the successors TO 8 he Old
pointeeS Of the Governor on tbs CXpira I.
ton of their first terms
Mr.. Flood offered an amendment Civ
ing power Of election to the Genera! Az
sembly. {s
Mr.. Eggleston moved to amend, giving
the Legislature the alternative after 1905
of electing the commissioners or provid-
ing. for election by the people.
Mr. Blair wished to amend 50 that only
two of the commission could be OF the
same political party.
Short speeches and roll-calls were had
on every amendment but all We're voted
down, and at 6:15 O. clock section 5 was
adopted as amended in Committee OF the
Whole, except for a8few verbal changes
recommended by Chairman Braxton.
The section contains seventy -one lines
and prescribes the composition. of powers,
duties. terms of office, manner of crea-
lition. ETC.. of the Corporate Commission
so far as it pertains to the sunervision
of all corporations: 55
The former anti Corporation Ccmmis-
sion leaders all voted against electing by
the people or the Legislature. and stood
with Chairman Braxton In the whole af-
ternoon fight. 81
Struck the Lightning Rcd.
Lightning, struck the residence, No. 10i