The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-06-01
GOVERNOR HASNOW
THE VETO POWER.
So Say Eminent Lawyers as to
Reapportlonment.
ACTION in CONTEMPT CASES
Brief but interesting Session OF the
Convention-Some Breezy Debates
on Important Ma.ters-Work
is Nearly Over.
ACTION IN. CONTEMPT CASES

on Important kldfteTS-WOrk
is Nearly Over.
The Constitutional Convention held on
ly one session yesterday, and at LOS
o'clock P. NJ. adjourned to meet at noon
tomorrow.
Good progress, however, was made with
the work of finally going over the instr,;-
ment, and there were some striking fea-
lures in the session. One of them was
speech by Mr.. Green. Of Danville, in
which he took occasion to say that the
Governors right to veto or approve a re-
apportionment BIZ. was clear and unnis-
taxable. and that the recent case in Fir-
ginia, In his judgment. would never be
taken into the courts. The speech was in
opposition to an amendment offered by
Mr. Ayers, which sought to make the
language clearer as to the Cow
errors duty by inserting the words by
law in the section of the legislative re-
port on the subject of congressional re-
apportionment. Mr.. Green's contention
was that the Legislature could not pro-
coed any other way than by law under
the provision as adopted.
IMPORTANT AMENDMENT.
Another feature was the adoption OF an
amendment offered by Mr.. Braxton. con-
ferring on the Legislature the power to
regulate the rights of courts In contempt
cases. u
This is taken to mean that the law
making power of the State may place
restrictions and regulations upon the
courts as to the latter's rights in con-
tempt cases and may mark out course
to be followed in these important matters
1t is not unlikely that cases now pend
ing in the State may have moved the
convention to take action which would
clearly define the rights of the judicial
branch of the government with regard
to persons alleged to be in contempt
It is highly interesting in connec-
ton with the pending contest be-
tween the Rev. c. H. Crawford. of this
city. superintendent of the Anti-Saloon
League and the County Court of Am
herst. It is held by those making the
fight against the Amherst .uoge that
he has no right to take action for con-
tempt when as Fl the case of Mr.. Craw-
ford the alleged contemnor committed
the act, held in contempt. after the con-
cIusion of the case to which it referred
Still another feature was the deba tie
over the proposition as to how the regis
tration boards shall be chosen. but that
! matter went over and will come up and
cause a big fight later on. The conven
| ton will probably conclude its labors and
adjourn by the end of the coming week.
DAYS PROCEEDINGS,
The convention was called to order at
| was offered by Rev. w. T. Derieux. of
| the Baptist Church Is
There were tifty-fve members present
| and the attendance of visitors was very
| slim.
| Mr. Anderson. OF Rockbridge. offered
| a resolution providing for the appoint
! ment by the chair of a committee. COM
| posed of eleven members, whose duty 1t
should be to receive the recommends tons
| from members of names for the proposed
! new registration boards in the various
| counties and cities of the State. and to
report the same to the convention
| Considerable discussion followed and
| the resolution was opposed by Mr. Flood.
who thought the matter properly be-
longed to the Suffrage Committee
Mr. Daniel took rather the same view.
but mainly on the ground that the COM
mttee proposed by Mr. Anderson was
| too small.
Finally after other brief speeches on
f! the subject the matter was allowed to
| go over until tomorrow. when. II the
| attendance of members is large. 1t Will
| be called up again. If not. 1T will go over
until Tuesday in all probability. 1t Will
| undoubtedly cause l.SIll "Leli II hiia'S
| comes up for action.
GOVERNORS RIGHT TO VETO.
The convention then proceeded to the
| consideration of the Constitution. and
| section 81 of the article on the Legisla-
| tive Department was read by the secre-
! tary and approved by the convention
| The section caused a breezy debate, II
\ having come up over n amendment Of
| fered by Mr.. Ayers to insert the words
I - 01a vi
| the duty of the Legislature in the matter
| of reapportfonine the State into congress
| sional districts The language used IN
! the Constitution is that the General AS
! sembly shall rea pportion. etc., and mere
| tofore it has been done by joint resoiu-
| ton, leaving sufficient doubt in the minds
| of some for them to contend tnat the
! Governor had no right to sign or ap-
/ prove the Joint resolution Inc amend
ment; was advocated by Messrs. ayers
/ and Meredith and opposed by Messrs
! Flood and Green. and rejected by vote
WAS GIVEN GREAT WEIGHT.
| Rr+ tho striking part of the debate was
| the speech of Mr.. Green. of Danvtile,
/ which contained the declaration that the
/ amendment was unnecessary inasmuch as
| the Legislature could not act save by
Il 5I,wS. and that a Joint resolution on
tha s,,hiect had clearly the effect of law.
i He took occasion to say of the recent
i c.sa IN Virginia that the Governors
| rirbt RI veto was clear to his mind. and
tbst ha did not believe those who held to
i the opposite view had any case. or would
1 ever take the matter into the courts.
4 This optnion was given great weight ana
,roh,hIv defeated the amendment. as the
sneaker was recently one OF the most
i eminent circuit judges in the State
AS TO CONTEMPT GASES.
1 Mr. Braxton succeeded in securing an
amendment to section 63, providing that
! the I,eeisIature should regulate the right
/ of courts to punish for contempt
| The amendment is considered ma
i terial and important one.
The article on the Executive Depart
4 ment was disposed of without material
4 amendment, and that on the judiciary