Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-08-19
The Mississippi Convention.

The min object Of the Mississippi Con-
stitutional Convention is TO form plan by
means of which the State can MAINTAIN
white supremacy and render as harmless
rs possible its large and increasing negro
vote. Many propositions have been made
to this end and those most available have
been thoroughly discussed in the conven-
ton.
The leading plans are summarized thus
by the New Orleans papers;
1. A change in the basis of representa-
ton of such character as to vest the gov
erning power in the white counties simply,
or in the white counties and senatorial
districts.
9. Plural voting Scaled according to the
amount of property possessed) on a basis
10 make plural voters of a sufficient num-
Der of whites to secure safe white ma
lority.
8. Examination. registration, and certih-
cation Of fitness to vote by commission.
A. Comforting suffrage upon females
having property qualifications and upon
male minors between the ages OF sixteen
and twenty-one years possessing certain
property and educational qualifications.
4. A disqualification for crimes Of u GER
tain character.
G. A longer residence in the State and
county.
7. An increased compulsory poll-tax pre-
paid or q compulsory poll-tax of the pres
ent amount and voluntary one of great
or amount prepaid, the latter to carry with
its payment the right 10 vote.
:. The Australian ballot system.
The Vicksburg Commercial Herald is for q
long term of residence and strict regis
trstion law.
Chancellor CowAN, according to the New
Orleans Times. D,mocrdf, is in favor of al
lowing all female property-owners TO vote,
and as nearly all Of them are white an in
crease Of 600 white votes would be the
result.
Judge CALuoox. president of the conven-
lion, would fix the term of residence 10 en-
title one TO vote ut any precinct at twelve
months; the adoption of the Australian
ballot system and disfranchisement for
felonies and petit larceny.
Ex-Congressman BARKsDALE fayors poll
tax and two years residence i'll the State
and county.
Judge CAmIBK1I's plan of plural voting,
allowing one vote to each citizen and
additional votes for property, is pro-
nounced unconstitutional by Senator
GYoRGE. and has not been very earnestly
pressed before the convention.
Senator GEORGE himself has proposed to
meet the question by completely changing
the basis of representation in such a
way as 10 give the white counties a
majority in the Legislature, by which body,
instead OF by the popular vote, the Gov
srnor and other State officers shall be
elected.
The flaws in not few Of these plans are
evident at once. As TO Major BABKsDALK's
proposition the Times Democrat we'll says
that "a poll-tax Is no protection, as Vir-
gina has proved. for no matter how high
the tax is made the Republican leaders
will be tempted to apply to the rich party
millionares in the North TO pay the polls
OF negro voters, as they did for MALONE
In Virginia"
The outcome Of the deliberations will be
awaited with interest and the Mississippi
ans have the sympathy of the whole south
ern people in their efforts to solve pro-
blem which is perhaps greater IN their State
than in any Of that States southern sisters.
IL has been announced that action on the
suffrage question might be expected to-day.