The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1890-03-01
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

A curious feature about the situation |
in Mississippi is the absence of any |
well defined views as to what the con-
venti0n can and ought to do when it |
assemblies.
Tue GreenvIlle TINES, which is one
OF the leaders of political thought in
Mississippi, points out few subjects
which the convention ought to consid-
er. The first and most important,.as a
matter of course, is TO relieve the
strain upon State politics involved in
the present evil of unrestricted negro
suffrage.
The TINES treats this subject in
moderate and conservative manner,
suggesting as remedy, first longer
residence in State and county to quail
ify voter; second, the payment of a
poll tax as a prerequisite to voting,
and third, the appointment of Presi-
dental electors by the Legislature.
Another matter which the TIMES
deems important, is that the men who
fill the offices of Justices of the Peace
shall be of higher grade than many
of them are at present.
"rreated with indifference, as an of
flee of no account says the TIMES, ait
has in truth the strongest bearing
upon and the most intimate connec-
tion with, the social life Of the CON-
munity, on which the ultimate and
lasting good to the citizens depends.
But measured as it is, except in few
cases, such office has been left to mean
and corrupt men,
This utterance OF the TIMES has a
good deal of truth in it, and the neces-
sity for reform in the.respect mention
ed is beyond question. The further
subjects suggested are the modifica-
tion of the school laws without i'm
pairing the negroes present advan-
tages, but reducing the educable
period from sixteen years, which cer-
tainly seems excessive, to half that
time; and relieving the Legislature
from much petty work by having GER
tain minor officials now electiye by
that body, voted for by the people at
large.
We have reviewed at some length
the expressions of the Greenville
TIMES as above set forth, as being the
only crystalizcd thoughts on the sub
ject treated which have come to our
notice, and they appear to be sound
and timely as touching the race ques-
ton now about to be brought to an Is
sue in Mississippi.
The Avalanche thought 1t would
have been wise for the present Lcgis-
lature to have adopted some form OF
the'Australian law, which has met with
general favor whenever tried, both in
the North and South, as preliminary
adjunct to the convention measure
aud still thinks that the embarass-
ments which are apprehended In that
connection would be greatly lessened
or entirely dissipated, by such law
Avalanche.
) The carpet bag constitution o
Mississippi does not admit of an Aus
tralian ballot I'M ES.O--
Here are seven SUGGESTION r'vf aor
cd by the Greenville TIMES "00p
ton by the convention: ,ro,
First. In addition to an increase of
the length of residence necessary to
qualify voter in county or State. or
municipal elections, the payment of
poll tax as prerequisite to the ex-
ercise of the suffrage.
second. To confer upon the Lepis.
la'ure the right Of appointing Presi.
dental electors.
Third. To provide SEARCHING
form OF examination of all persons
who may become justice of the peacc
,rourth. To provide for an increase
Oh the school fund by empowering
communities, either white or black 70
vote Tor a local tax and reduce the
scnooi age one-half, making 8 instead
of 16 years. '"'
f1ith. To provide for local lepisla-
tien by county and city boards, bed~.
cd by proper restrictions.
Sixth. To provide for the election
oy The people of the State, librarian
the railroad commissions. the state
printer, and superintendent of the non.
itentiary. '-' pun
Seven. To provide for the applIca.
tlon Of retail licenses in the Delta to
the levee fund.
Supported each by copent reaso,-
ing, embodying and editorial a col. |
uhn and half in length. VIC submit |
.nese suggestions as worthy of copsId-
Grafton, and only regret that our limi.
Yea space will not permit us to renro.
uuce the entire article.-Benoit IIust.
Ter. '' iius'-
Inc Greenyille, Miss, TIMES, reply.
ing 10 q cotemporary which advanced
'ne opinion that no changes should be
made III the Constitution of NIississins
Di, gives the following specification of
reforms which might well be mado IN
me organic law ofthe State m Res-
denee and poll tax qualifications for
,o.ers ~ the fixing OF higher stan.
lard OF qualification for Justicea Of fho
,eace ;(9 comforting upon the lepislat.
'ro power to appoint Presidential Flee
'ors; q modification of the school !
avs, whereby there would be some l
AK upon the personal efforts of school ]
a.rons, and the reduction of the edu. =
aoie age one-half; (5), the relief of !
ne Legislature from much of The '
ureiy local legislation now reouired :. \
p .he election of Librarian, Railroad G
commissioners, State Printer and p
uperlntendent of the Peniteptiary bv n
ie people instead of the Legislature G
! appropriating tho proceeds of re-, II
I'll Incense in the Delta to the levee o
mas, which In Washington County
one would amount to $4,000 a y
ear: All these suggestions made by Il
y LINES are very important and b
or'hy oil careful consideration by the g
einoers of the Constitutional Con. b
'htlon. There are strong reasons I'll
T the adoption of every one of them fr
Memphis Appeal. s' th
81
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