Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-01-23
Soma VIfgllla Legislators Want 10
Tinker with lhe Document.
Sixteen AMENDMENTS OFFERED
Though Some Of Them May paoo This
Legislature They sill Have Hard
soaa 10 Travel Before solns FUZZY
incorporated in the Document.

RICHMOND. VA, Jan. 22,-Not
~ithEtandlng the encouragement that
has uniformly attended every efror,
TO amend constitutions. state or fed
ernl. and the provisions for delay and
ehoughtful consideration. Incorporated
in those documents to forestall hast,
alterations in tho basic laws OF any
commonwealth, hardly Legislature
ensembles that does not record well
intentioned attempts to make patch
work OF the constitution. and the
present general assembly of Virginia
10 not going to be the exception to
provo the rule. Though but ten days
met, some sixteen amendments, NJ
fecting seven separate sections OF the
fundamental law, have ben proposed
In the two houses.
That number OF the resolutions
offered aeek relief from the same re
strictiye provision. notably OF the
claune prohibiting commissioners oil
Z ths revenue. whom elected by the
neople, to aucceed themselves; and
Inc fact that this relief Is sought by
+ representatives from widely separated
sections of the state. and by members
nt both political parties, tends to show
mat at least. as TO the abolition OF
tnat restriction. there Ia very favor
aeie sentiment throughout the state
whether the sentiment will survive
the TWO years and more delay which
would Intervene before the PROPOSE
uon could be submitted to tho voters
LOT adoption, is u matter to he ascer
tained only by actual test. Previous
attempts at amendments do not jus
uiy q prediction that majority OF
slecsors can be secured to approve.
Here are the amendments so fal
pfoposod Mt this session:
10 amend section no so m to per
nit county treasurers to succeed
( themselves more than two terms. and
removing the restriction against suc
cession by county commissioners
when elected by the people Pro
poaed In the Senate by Senators Hal
t;sg md Y fslas;'ss In the House b.
: DeieEatS i. J. -.
TO amend section 100 to permit cit,
treaEurers to succeed themselves In
definitely Proposed In the Senate b,
Senator Haley and In the House b,
s Delegates Cation and Rev.
To amend section 119 to remove Tho
restriction against succession of cit,
commissioners OF revenue when elect
ed by the people. Proposed In the
Senate by Mr.. Halsey and Mr. Chase
and IN tho House by Delegates Cation
md Rev.
10 amend action 90 to make Circuit,
Judges elective by the people. Pro
posed by Senator Chase.
To amend section 4G to permit mem.
bers OF the General Assembly to draw
salary for ninety days, when the leg,
7islative term shall for any cause be
80 extended. Proposed by Delegate
featherston.
TO amend section IS. extending the
time of payment OF poll taxes to six:,.
days before election. Proposed by
Delegate Curlett.
To amend section 60. extending tho
term OF Governor to six years. Pro
B posed by Delegate Glenn.
Should any OF these amendments
I. pass the scrutiny OF committee. and
secure the constitutional majority or
roll call of the Assembly, the voters
of the state may get an opportunity
! TO pasa upon them sometime during
the year 1910, provided the legisla.
\ ture that convenes In that year Ia of
I the opinion that such amendments
are still to Ee advised.