The Washington times., 1902-07-16
The Virginia Legislature
Meets in Extraordinary
Session.
GOVERNORS MESSAGE READ
Beginning of New Era-Republican
Members Oppose Taking of Oath
Senator Rivercomb Wants Constitu-
tion Referred to the People.

RICHMOND. Va. July 15.-Thirty-
seven senator's and ninety members Of
the house of deputies were in attend
ance when the extraordinary session OK
the Legislature convened today.
The governors message convening the
Legislature as read in the house was ~
follows:
Your session at this time marks the
end of one era and the beginning Of an
other in the history of Virginia.
New Organic Law.
"The people have for years patiently
awaited a new organic law. made by
themselves and for themselves. tha.
they might the better work out the
problem of free government in accord
ance with the genius and heritage Of
their race. Such consummation has
come to pass. and the work is in your
hands.
THAT the new constitution has cost
time. labor and money none viii deny,
but that the task has been performed
with energy. wisdom and patriotism all
must admit. Sharply defined differences
of opinion have existed. and ought 20
have existed. but upon the whole he
work seems to fulfill the aspiration AMI
command the approval of the people
and to make luminous the pathway
wherein our Commonwealth may move
forward to a higher destiny
The New Constitution.
But the new constitution will be little
more than an/academic plan of govern
ment unless supported and made opera
tive by wise and sufficient legislation.
The people will perhaps test and meas
ure the instrument more by the char
acter of legislation made in conformity
thereto than by the instrument itself.
Hence your great responsibility, which
you will doubtless discharge with a uni
ted purpose, for differences of opinion
respecting the merits of the new eonstf-
tuition or its establishment should now
no longer exist. The time for such Diff
ferences has passed. and the needs alj
the hopes of the people can be met.
and met only. by such legislation as will
put into complete operation the whole
instrument. l entertain the most coz
fident hope that you will meet the du-
ties of the occasion, and assure you Of
my ready and full cooperation.
May Make Further Suggestions.
Intending this communication more
as cordial greeting than a formal mos
sage, l reserve for the future such sug-
gestions as may. in the discharge of my
duty, seem proper to be made
After the reading of the proclamatior
in the house. the oath was administered
TO Speaker Ryan and Clerk Williams.
In an hours speech. Delegate James r
Cation, of Alexandria, denied the right OF
the convention to proclaim the consti.
tuition, and protested against the admin
istration of the oath. Mr.. Heermons
Republican. OF Montgomery, also opposed
taking the oath
Mr.. McIlwain. in the senate. offered 4
resolution providing for taking the oath
and for proclaiming and recognizing the
new constitution. A substitute was offer.
ed by Mr.. Rivercomb. a Republican sar.
ator. requiring that the constitution bS
submitted to the people.
Joint Resolution Adopted.
A Joint resolution was adopted by tho
senate providing for taking the oath
The body then took recess Until s1ci
time as the house would act on tie reg
olution.
The capital is ;hrdnged with capdi.
dates for judgeships and their friends. II
is one OF the hottest contests ever wit.
messed. No decision has been reached az
to when the matter will be taken up Oh
what work will be undertaken at this
session. The consensus of opinion is thai
nothing shall be undertaken but tn4
tudgeShips and the naming of a commits.
sion to revise the statutes.
RICHMOND, Va. July 15.-after a hot
fight all members of the Legislature ex-
cept one Republican took the cath 10
support the new constitution. Sixteen
of the Republicans only did SO after filing
written protest
test in the courts will be made of the
case of e. p. Mclean, who refused "a
swear. By The terms of the constitution
h. fz.. =