Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-11
HEADS COMMISSION
| ON CONSTITUTION
Judge Prentis win Conduct
Virginia Deliberations Over
II Proposed Changes.
Special Dispatch to me star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
RICHMOND, Va, July 10.-Judge
Robert r. Prentis Of the Supreme
Court OF Appeals has been made
chairman of the commission Of seven
which will study the needs of the con-
stitution of the State and make rec
concentrations thereon to Gov. Byrd.
The commission was named by Gov.
Byrd in accord with the act OF the
Legislature, due to the ever-increas-
Ing demand for amendments to the
existing basic law at each recurring
session OF the Legislature Tne
amendments are made after long
time, usually about four years. ana
they have covered a wide variety Of
subjects. The constitution has been
effective just 25 years, and In that
time the conditions are so changed
that the instrument promulgated y
almost obsolete and has been attereo
In MANY of it's original provisions. so
that it's trainers would scarcely recog-
nize the work of the body which SAT
for year.
The fact is that complete new
constitution is wanted, Is badly need
ed. but the cost of the same in these
DAYS is prohihitive, based on the for
mer convention. That instrument
cost for attendance. printing the pro-
ceedings and revision of the code con-
stderahly in excess of 100000. Today
n that work were undertaken, with
convention sitting only SIX months,
the cost would be at least three times
as great.
Called Only Code Of Laws.
There is and long has been COM
ulaint that the constitution is really
a code of laws instead OF basic prin-
ciples. There is no question that the
constitution placed so many restric-
tions on the work of the General
Assembly that the powers of the law
making hody are unlimited in many
WAYS. The Legislature has several
times considered the matter or having
a convention tn frame new consul
tuition and ii Is strongly favored IN
many parts of the State.
During the campaign Governor
Byrd announced that he was opposed
to calling convention. but that In or :
der to meet the conditions that mad
developed he favored, the naming OF
A commission of seven representative
men, to make study and report
changes needed. the same to be en-
bodied in message TO the Legislature
nv the governor. The people OF the
state approved that position, and the
governor. following the adoption OF
his recommendations. named the foi-
lowing members;
Judge Prentis, for some time pres
ident OF the Supreme Court OF sur
folk: r. Gray Williams OF Win
chester: William NJ. Lille. dean OF the
law school of the University OF Viz
rinia. Robert NJ. Hughes of Norfolk.
Joseph III. Chitwood Of Roanoke. VIII.
nam M. Fletcher OF Sperryyiile and
former Gov. Henry Carter Stuart OF
Russell. Gov. Stuart served in the
constitutional convention. Robert M.
Hughes is a Republican. Each Is an
outstanding parsonage. All save Gov.
stuart. are lawyers The first meet
ing selected Judge Prentis az chair
man and Mr. williams as secretary.
and after short informal general
discussion It was agreed to meet
October Il.
Troops Moving e Camp.
Reports from all parts OF the State
are that the various commands OF
the Virginia National Guard today
and tonight moved to Virginia Beach
for the annual Summer encampment
Of two weeks at the State rine range.
some of the units are 300 miles
from the scene Of the camp. and the
jbrders are that they are to be on
hand tomorrow, have tents pitched.
bedding placed. uniforms cleaned and
shoes polished and to be ready for
active work In the field, on the hike
and at the rifle range early Monday
morning. Company cooks and de-
tails In charge OF the mess halls Will
be the first to get into service, 1t being
necessary that the men have food
after travelling all night and In condi.
will n
be done tomorrow in making camp
ready.
The Individual county almshouse In
Virginia Is believed to have seen Its
last days Allegheny. Albemarle,
Augusta, Bath and Rockingham have
united in a movement to have their
/ establishments consolidated into a
single institution. effecting a saving
Of more than $150.000 for a fund to
provide ADEQUATE and comfortable
buildings, with close supervision and
provide medical and nursing atten.
ton The representa- tives of these
counties have met and delegated the
work OF providing a plan to com.
Hittee of three. which has been here
and had a consultation with the di.
rector of public welfare.
a survey made of the group Of
botinties comprising a dozen in the
VNHey SectlOn SHOWS lnaI mere are
1000 acres of land devoted to the
purposes of the poorhouse farms,
with property worth 100000 and an
outlay Of more than $37S per capita
for the 125 inmates of the counties
embraced In the survey.
~0thar sections of the State are. de-
hating this movement, and 1t is be.
sieved that within Ave years the old
and dilapidated county poorhouse
will be thing of the past, and that
s'district homes" will be provided for
the best general results and at a
Ereat saving of public money.
Drnrrp