The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1890-04-12
TbE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
[SunflOwer Tocsin.l

The situation should be looked upon
as q problem to be solved by patience,
forbearance and determination, and
not as Gordian knot TO be severed
with a stroke of the pen.
The convention should be careful to
leave untouched the present organic
law in parts where change can effect
no good, useful. or practical results
keeping in mind that they are not
called for the purpose of preparing a
new Constitution PER Sc, but for the
purpose of correcting the evils of the
present one.
In considering the question of suf-
frage we are necessarily confined to
very narrow limits-we are hedged by
a commanding necessity on one side,
and by the Federal Constitution GU the
other. To STEER clear of the Constltu-
tional distractions, and obtain tbs re-
lief we desire is problem which has
baffled the master minds Of our State.
but | am of the opinion that in the idea
of the Greenville TINES, which was
amplified by ono of its correspondents
over the signature of sDelta,n in its
issue of March 18th, Is to be found the
key TO this puzzllng question. Let
there be an annual poll tax of say not
less than $500, or more than S4.0O, to
be liked by the Legislature. Let this
tax be paid at the option of the voter
and collectable on or before the 1st
day Of January of each year; when
paid by the time mentioned, the party
paying it, If otherwise qualified, to
have the right Of casting vote at the
next ensuing election; his proper
registration and receipt for this tax,
taken together, to be his passport and
only passport to the polls. In connec-
tisn with this the Legislature could be
empowered to exempt certain persons
from the operation of this law, as for
instance, persons over a certain age,
the deaf, dumb, blind manned, and
perhaps the Legislature could be given
hllor powers of exemption than the
one aboye mentioned, and which
would aid in giving such a law a
greater and more satisfactory effect.
This as a law presents many advan-
tages. 1t is not in conflict with the
Federal Constitution. 1t Is simple and
practical. If the negroes avail them
selves of Its privileges at all 1t will only
be the better class of them who own
property, are well to do, and are
identified with the welfare of the
country, and whose vote Ia not as
Objectionable as that of the race taken
as whole. Il would have the effect
of preventing tho voting of a large
class of transient blacks and whites
who have no interest whatever in thu
question upon which they vote, bu
whose voice very often decides oul
elections. A fixed aud bona fide resi-
: dence in the State and county for a
least one year, before becoming quail
ifled voter, would be desirable
change in our present law, but woul,
only afford temporary relief to tn
Delta counties.
Added to the above should be tn
: further safeguard of an electiye lay
gotten up on the plan Of the Austria
lian method. This seems to haye give
: general satisfaction in those State
!. which have adopted it, and 1t secur
: tho best results In localities where ther
J. Is preponderance of ignorant voterl
J. And as an additional security, powe
g should be lodged with the Legislator
: to prescribe and fix property an
y educational qualification or both, an
# 1t should have the power to prescrih
It those qualifications, either for the Stat
L as whole or for such parts or se
! tions of it as it may deem proper.
Il Our present school laws are ais
70 being generally discussed, and n
II doubt will be modified to some extel
.. by the convention.
% There arc many other changes in OF
1t Constitution proposed, but II wou'
rs be impossible in this article TO discu
'r them ALL feel that if those | ha'
:; ~ referred to satisfactorily and success
" fully made, the convention will n
" have met in vain.
20 Very respectfully,
Ii H., .r.,e II ,y,,,,