The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-05-30
PEOPLE OF VA,
HAVE new LAW
Continued from First Page.)

CONTINUED from First Page.)
ing Thomases, and it was these to whom
he proposed to address his remarks.
Mr.. Wysor said the question should
have been decided last summer, and he
admitted that delay had weakened his
forces He raped the proclaimers and
said one OF their chief arguments was
that I'VE want to proclaim the Constr
tuition and we be dufned If We don't
do it,. II the Constitution was such a
good one, the speaker said, there should
be no fear as to the result should it be
submitted. and all the proclaimers con-
tended that 1t was q good instrument.
He created great merriment by saying
that Judge Green's argument for procla-
nation wac that he had been a good and
conservative man in his youth and that
he desired to do something wild and
startling in his latter days The speaker
ridiculed meetings held to release tho
delegates and then he came TO aieseo
party pledges.
He wanted to know what had become
of the abridged electorate idea. For his
own part. he was sure the convention at
Norfolk meant to commit the party to
general submission, and this view was
borne out by a Capitol policeman who
was present at Norfolk, and 1t must be
50.
WANTED IT BURIED.
Coming again to the abridged electo-
rate. he asked where was 1t. and sug-
sested that Messrs Glass ana Goode
be appointed q committee of two to take
the idea back to the city Of Lynchbtirs
and let 1t repose In the soil OF its birth.
The speaker spared none of his oppo-
nents, but took Up their arguments and
ridiculed them one BY one, and threw
his great audience, which was, growing
steadily ali the while; time and again
into spasms Of applause. He said the
army of proclaimers was being led by
two preachers. and they had all their
followers blowing rams horns, but he
begged to say that these feverhed gen.
tlemen knew more about theology than
they did about constitutional law.
The speaker said certain newspaper,
in Richmond had once led the fight for
submission, but now it had the biggest
proclamation horn in the whole process
sion and being q new convert, the pro-
chalmers often had it to blow solos. He
lived and ate with Dr. Barnes and DR..
Lawson and his nightly prayer for them
was that the Lord would make them
throw away their rams horns.
Here the speaker took up the language
of the present Constitution and contend
ed that the words revise and amend
could not be properly SO construed as
to permit of proclamation.
MEANT SUBMISSION.
On the other hand. he contended that
thew clearly meant submit, and he I'M
deftook to bring behind this view a
great number Of authorities. He de-
clared amid great laughter that only
Judge Green was for proclamation and
J. Thompson (Album) Brown for the
he finr1
first met. Mr. Brown is quite an album
hend and the speakers colleagues were
quick to catch the hit
Mr.. Wysor sIHent a great deal Of time
in dealing with the alleged Norfolk
pledge, and his argument on this point
was ingenious and attractive, and was
surinkled with characteristic witicisms
which kept his audience IN close touch
with him all the While: :,
T .eeisIatailre, calling the convention into
beinr and argued that it clearly con-
temnlated the submission of the i1lstru-
Inan+ tn the whole people, and he ridi-
ruled the abridged electorate idea and
declared that no Virginia Constitution
had ever been so submitted.
Mr.. Wysor said the convention vas
ono Of the finest bodies that ever as
ssr,hlad on the globe, and that it had
a
served to be and would pc aoopted II
submitted to the people
Mr.. Wysors peroration was a beauti-
FIJI structure of rhetoric, and at its close
a whirlwind of applause swept over the
splendid audience. and colleagues of the
great orator crowded about his desk to
shake his hand. It was the greatest
speech yet delivered for submission and
was received with wild applause through
out.
Mr. Lindsay moved that the time fer
taking the vote on the main question be
postponed from 1:s0 P. NJ. until $50
o'clock P. M.
The motion was adopted-Ayes, So;
nays 80.
4 STRONG REPLY.
AS soon as the vote was announced
Mr.. Meredith was recognized to speak
for proclamation. It was exactly IL
o'clock and the able member from Rich
mond plunged into his subject without
ind,lging in any flowery introduction.
He said he would not undertake to fol-
low the line of argument pursued by Mr..
Wysor. He had no talent for anecdote
telling. and he had no disposition to in
dulge in them, for the matter under con-
sidera ton was too serious for this. Mr..
Meredith contended that the people of
virginia were dSSeTNDleu mere III the
Capitol through their Representatives.
and If the people desired their new or
| ganic law proclaimed. they in the con-
| vention had the right to proclaim. He
! contended that the convention came
here clothed with the power of the peo-
pie. and that power coulu not be re-
stricted by the Legislature, which was
subordinate to the people and to the con-
vention.
One Of the strong points brought OH
By Mr.. Meredith ilthe outset was thu
| the convention had the clearest right Il
proclaim. and that this was admitted BY
| the Legislature and the Norfolk conven
| ton when they had declared for sub
mission rather than proclamation An;
| yet, lie said those who referred to tn,
actioti Of these bodies, which had called
upon the convention not to do a Trims
| which was admittedly legal, were her.
contetding that the body had not tht
Fight to proclaim. $50,
ONLY ONE CITED.
Mr. Meredith contended that only on