The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-02-06
Mr.. HUNTON
MAKES REPLY
Be AssaiIs the Report Of the
corprations Committee.
INGRAM IN ITS DEFENSE
The Manchester Leader Viii Coueluds His
Remarks Te-Day-Ju.ge 0rr's New
Suffrage Plaza -uny's Pro.
eeedings.

eeedings.
The whole session of the conventiel
yesterday was devoted to argument on
the Corporation Commission. For more
than three hours Hon. Eppa Hunton. Jr,
deait argumentative sledge-hammer blows
at the report of the majority, and de-
Tended with rare skill and ability his MI
nori,y report which had been assated tho
day before by Mr.. Braxton.
Mr. Hunton fully sustained his reputa-
ton as a great debater and lawyer. Nee
essarily the ground covered by him was
larseIy on the same lines which
had been presented by himself be-
fore the committee and by the able
represent atives of transportation COM
panies during their three public hearings
b fore the ad ption CT the majority recon-
mendations. Despite this fact, MI Hun
ton so presented his views that Their
t,itcness were obscured by the attractive
and original Euise in which he clothed
them Always earnest, he impressed
every one who heard him yesterday WITH
the dignity and sincerity of his position.
He is not a namby-pamby speaker He
did not palliate. excuse or avoid. out
boldly and with strong show of feeling
called things by their right names. and
VI
what he conceived to be enemies to the
prosperity and progress Of the State.
There was not weak point in his armor
OF defense or capped edge to his sword
eff attack He stood four-sduare to every
wind that blowcd. and possibly made only
one tactical mistake-that of speaking
rather derisive of Messrs. Braxton and
withers. The ovation that greeted the
speaker when he concluded was slgnifl-
cant Of the strong hold he has upon the
members of the convention. and indicates
the fact that they are not capable OF
preiudices sufficient to prevent the calm.
fair. 1ispassionate consideration of every
question.
Judge Ingram began most interesting
and spicy rejoinder. and at the time OF
adjournment was giving evidence OF hav-
ing .sblood in the eye'' for Mr.. Hunton's
argument and minority report. He had
5ust fairly got his gloves off when the
hour of Q arrived. and is expected to
warm things up this morning.
THE DAY IN DETAIL
The convention was opened with prayer
by Dr. Robert Strange, Of st. Pauls Epis-
copal Church. Si1ty-four members were
present
Judge Orr introduced new suffrage
plan, which was ordered to be printed
and referred to the Committee on Elec-
tive franchise.
On motion. of Chairman Braxton the
convention went into Committee OF the
Whole to consider the report of the Com
,nittee on Corporations. Nlr. Keezell pre-
siding.
Mr. Hunton proceeded to present the
views of the minority Of the committee.
He explained that he and Judge Brou
had Only presented a minority bill to
such portion Of the committees recon-
mendationS as deal with transmission ana
transportation companies. Those sec
lions relating to general corporations ano
the employers liability bill. the u
best to leave for amendment on the floor
of the convention If 1t was decided to put
this purely legislative function in the
Constitution.
MIR. Hunton first reminded tho conven-
tion that there was nothing on earth so
tinid as capital, and never In the his
tory OF Virginia was capital more needed
to develop and continue in the develop
pent of great industries already begun
He pointed out wherein the adoption
hce to capitalists in indicating to the
world that Virginia proposed to en-
body in her fundamental ;am princip
inimieal to capital and which might
amount to con1iscation OF vested rlgnLs
and invested capital. He said he recog-
nized the power to supervise and regulate
but he questioned the wisdom of it Moth
ing but the strongest and most fragrant
abuse Of privilege on the part of trans
portation companies would justify placing
such a dangerous experiment in the
fundamental law. He asked If one soil
sary instance of such abuse by the COM
panIes had been given.
ARE NOT GUILTY.
He declared that In no sense and In no
~, i1-Na dc han
of any act which justified the adoption
Of such drastic and radical measure as
the ono proposed. The railroads Of Viz
s.fnja were dealing as fairly and literally
with the people as in any state having
rigid or radical railroad commission The
yates in Virginia to-day are lower than
shey were ten years ago; they are lower
Khan in the boosted States OF Georgia
md North Carolina. with their modef
railroad commissions He challenged
iyen Mr. withers. although he had lost
his statistics to controvert them. Mr.
}Iunton read list of rates prepared by
Mr.. Stevens, president Of the Chesapeake
and Ohio Railroad. and who was. SAID
the speaker, we'll known to be man
of high and unblemished character. The
table presented showed the rates for the
mast ter, years in North Carolina. Georgia
and Virginia and showed that they were
lower in Virginia than in the other
States
Mr.. withers: Then why do you fear
d commission"
Mr.. Hunton: IT viii answer that in
NV own time and in my own way when
come to II"
The speaker asked that the table De
,.,tssehed as a part ne his remarks.
Mr.. Hunton contended that the rail-
roads were competed to develop the brsi-
ness of each community through which
they passed, and this fact Of itself regu-
WASN'T CURED.