Evening star., 1944-12-16
Virginians 10 Vote
On Calling Convention
On Soldier Ballot
Legislature Provides
For Referendum on
Issue in 90 Days
By the Associated Press.


RICHMOND, Va, Dec. 16.-Vir-
glnia voters will decide in a special
election, provided for by the General
Assembly in its extraordinary Ses-
sion yesterday, whether a constitu-
tlonal convention will be called to
enfranchise the service personnel.
The people will vote in the refer
endum, to be called by the Governor
within the next 80 days, for holding
no convention or for holding a con-
vention limited to abolition of reg
lStration and payment of poll taxes
for members of the armed forces.
Administration forces defeated
efforts in both houses of the Assem-
bly, to have the bill amended to
provide for popular vote on an
unrestricted convention, but their
victory, in the words of at least one
legislator, was no guarantee that a
convention if called would be re-
stricted.
Says Delegates Wont Be Bound.
Delegate Preston Collins, Marion,
who said during the debate in the
House that he was for the bill, ex-
pressed the view that no power less
than the Constitution of the United
States, laws passed hereunder and
treaties of the Nation could restrict
a convention.
Il don't think" he said, that the
people should be deluded in be-
lieving that when they cast their
vote for a restricted convention
they have in any sense tied the
hands of the delegates to the con-
vention"
In response to question, he said
he believed the delegates to the
convention would want to know if
the people wanted them restricted,
but a delegate will either go there
believing he is bound or he will go
there believing he could do as he
pleases."
The General Assembly, after an
all-time record for brevity of meet
ing, adjourned its active session
late yesterday, but provided for a
continuation of the session for 80
days. During this time the Gov
ernor may call the legislators into
session to consider any pressing |
matters with no additional expense
save that of the usual mileage costs.
Should the people vote during this |
period for the calling of a conven-
ton, the Assembly would recon-
vene, promptly adjourn and then
convene a new, or next" session at |
which arrangements would be made
for the election of delegates to the |
convention.
Stormy Debate Set OFF.
The question of providing vote
to the people on the question of
restricted or unrestricted convention |
touched off a storm of debate in |
both houses.
The Senate defeated, 81 to IA, an
offered by Senator w.
N Nef, Abingdon, to provide for a
vote on both the question
of convention and on the question
such convention if called
should be restricted or not re-
stricted. 81,
The House rejected, Sc to "a,
offered by Delegates
J. Hoge Tyler, Norfolk City, and
Robert Whitehead, Nelson, which
would have provided for a vote by
,he people on whether to hold an
constitutional conven-
ton.
1t was argued by proponents of
the amendments that bill provid-
ing for a vote on restricted con-
vention ran the risk of being uncon-
that the people should
be allowed to decide the question,
and that bill designating merely
convention was the simple, direct
of approach.
Opponents contended the single
purpose of the special session was to
provide the service personnel with
the voting privilege in time for next
years elections, that an open con-
vention might lead to prolonged de-
bate over numerous constitutional
changes which would delay final ac-
ton beyond the time limit for an
effective war voters act, and that
the present was no time for chang
ing the Constitution beyond the i'm
mediate need of removing barriers
to a new and effective war voters
law.
Refer Norfolk Probe to Committee.
The Assembly referred the report
Of the Special House Committee on
Law Enforcement Conditions in
Norfolk County to the Courts of