Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1902-02-01
Constitutional Convention

The Constitutional CONVENTION lor
the second time has refused to grant
an annual appropriation of $50 900 to
the University of Virginia. The
vote was 80 to 33. The announce
ment of the result was received with
suppressed applause. This presume
bly, ends one of the most interesting
fights OF the convention. The friends
Of the University made powerful
fight and were supported by the
most influential men in the State,
both in and out of the convention.
There were two sentiments when
compassed the defeat of the PROPOSE
tion. One was against making any
appropriation in the ConstitutloD
and the other a jealousy of other
State institutions and the friends OF
the public school system.
Mr.. Stuart, of Russell, the chair
nan of the committee on agriculture,
unlimited it's report. Radica
changes in the Department OF Agri-
.ulture are proposed. The report
-ecommends that the board shall be
composed of member from eacS
Congressional district and the presi-
lent and director of the Virgins
'olvtechnic Institute at Rlacksbure
hall be ex-officiO members. The
members of the board the report pro
vides. are to hold office for term OF
four years and be appointed by the
Governor, are to have the selection
of the Commissioner of Agriculture
and all of his subordinates. The
commissioner is now appointed by
the Governor and he appoints all OF
hisassistants with the approval OF
theboard.
The Constitutional Convention
Monday completed the report of the
committee on education and sent IL
committee on fiual revision. A sec
rion of this report contested for some
time provided that the State should
continue to pay to the educational
institutions holding its bonds the
full rate Of interest premiums upon
their face when issued After spirit
ed fight Mr.. Withers secured the
adoption of an amendment leaving 1t
with the Legislature whether these
bonds may be paid before their ma
turity.
In the Constitutional Convention
Tuesday, Mr.. Stuart, of Russell, sub
mitted new suffrage plan. lfs
most significant feature is that 1t
n4rmits the Legislature. TO adopt a
lifTerent suffrage law for the counN
ties and cities east of the Blue Ridge
mountains from that for all other
parts of the State.
The report on corporations mas
neen submitted embracing the plan
for supervising the operations of cor
norations in this State. The report
is signed in whole or in part by all OF
the members of the committee ex-
cept Messrs. Hunton and Brook.
The plan provides for the appoint
ment by the Governor, with the APP
prevail of the Legislature, OF a COM
mission of three. The powers of this
commission are very broad and are
believed to be sufficient to bring all
Of the public corporations within
their supervision. The most promin-
ent CORPORATION men in and out OF
he convention are strongly disposed
to admit that the report will be
adopted.
The Convention Wednesday made
the best record for work OF any day
since it assembled
The report of the Committee on
City Government was taken up aud
completed. An amendment was re-
jected TO allow Treasures of cities
TO serve more than two terms.
An amendment was adopted en-
towering cities 10 sell all franchises
other than those for trunk line raj
ways.
mir Braxton offered an amendment
providing for fixing the boundaries
of cities on the basis of population
for representation in Councils, and
it was passed by for the present.
Mr.. HattOn offered and the CCnven-
tidn adopted an amendment requir-
ing vote of majority of all men,
beers of both branches of the Coun-
ellis to make appropriations, and
two-thirds to pass over the veto OF
the Mayor.
The report of the Committee On
Agriculture was considered.
The Convention devoted Thurs day
to consideration of the report of the
Committee on Agriculture. An
amendment to allow municipalities
TO levy a tax on truckers selling pro
duce in the market space was reject
ed, and a motion is pending to strike
the section out.