Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-01-21
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION


The convention yesterday again de-
clded to reconsider the vote which was
adverse to fixing an appropriation for
the Unlversity OF Virginia. The mat
ter will come up next Friday.
Mr.. Withers introduced a resolution
to recind the action OF the convention
in selecting judges of the Supreme
Court by the GsneralAssembly and pro
vide for an election by the people. Il
was referred to the committee on judi
cisry.
Besides these propositions for can
ceiling work of the body already dis
posed of there are resolutions pending
for resembling the action OF the Con-
vention 10 rejecting the hold-over SEN
ator system, and another for bringing
up again the question Of quadrennial
instead OF biennial sessions of the Gen.
ersl Assembly.
The report OF the committee on exec
utive department was called up as un-
finished business. but, owing to the alb
scence OF Chairman Cameron was pass
ed by.
The convention then went into com.
mittee OF the whole to consider the re-
port of the committee on cities and
TO wns, Mr. Withers presiding.
Chairman Brooks gave a compre-
hensiye explanation Of the various pro-
visions OF the report, and discussed the
many difficult problems which con-
fronted the committee,
The report makes some radical
changes Ia city government, especially
The composition of city councils.
Judge Robertson It tad that he
thought members representing ctles
should have further opportunity to ex'
anime into and digest the many great
questions involved in tle report. On
INC ton of Judge Robertson, the com
mittse rose and report I'd mo progress
ID the ooveL ton.
Judge Bergman Green, Chairman oil
the Committee on Bill of Rights, ex'
presses the opinion that the CONVEX ton
will conclude it3 work by February 10
de believes that the suffrage plan ID
practically settled and will soon be dis.
posed of when It comes before tle Con-
yentlon. If Judge Greene is correct 10
his his view the plan will be a poll TAX
and educs toual test as prerequisites.
The suffrage conferences will be re-
sumed tonight. The general opinion l;
, that the ultimate result will be the
adoption of very conservative suf'
frage clause.
The finance committee 10 o meeting
last night adopted twelve Of fourteen
!, sections OF the ordinance on taxation,
Under the report the general assem-
| oily may allow lower rate of taxation
to be imposed for period OF years by 8
city or town upon such land as may bt
| added to or taken into the corporate
| limits OF such city or towD. Property
or railroads, steamship and canal com
ospies are to be assessed as now, witt
| the provision that 20 tax shall be lslC
upon the net income OF such companies
| and that such real estate and tangible
personal property shall not, after thu
Both day OF June, 1908. be taxed at
| higher rate than shall be imposed b,
the authority levying the same upoI
the real estate and tangible persona
property OF individuals 10 their re
spective territorial limits.
All such railway and canal corpora
lions, including also such as are ex
empt from taxation as to their works
visible property or profits shall pay t
the State auditor an annual State fran
ohise tax, equal to per centum upoI
certain of tle gross receipts, for th'
| privilege OF exercising Is franchise II
| 1is State, which with the taxes pro
| ylded for in section three, shall be II
lieu OF all taxes or license charge
whatsoever upon the franchise of sucl
| company, the shares OF stock, tn
bonds, securities, and ether evidence
of indett sdness issued by It; provided
tlst nothing in the section shall ex
empt such corporation from assessment
for street and ether public local i'm
provemeLts in municipal tles.
Trust or security companies an(
incorporated banks are to be taxed 81
banks are now, and from the tota
assessed value of the stock shall be de
| Quoted the value its real estate. Tit
general assembly is directed to provide
| for the special ADD separate assessment
OF ell coal and others mineral lands al
their fair market value. The genera
assembly may levy tax on incomes
In excess of $500 per annum, and may
levy license tax upon any business
which cannot be reached by the I'D
valorem system. municipalities sbal
not impose taxes upon abuttiDg LAND
owners for street or other public loca
improvements, except for improving
the walkwsys upon said streets ACC
for sewers, aud the same when imposed
shall be 10 proportion to the pecuiial
advantages to such sbutting lsnC
owners 10 consequence of the improve
ment. No taxes shall be- imposed
upon AUDITING land owners In counties
for local public improvements, Pro
vision ia made for a capitalization isl
Of 81. 80. of which 81 goes TO the Stat
school fund add 80 cents to the cite
and counties for local purposes.