The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-08-23
MtsstssIprTs CONSTITUTION


MIsstssIprIs CONSTITUTIONS
c;.oo 1868 tho inhabitants of Mississippi |
have been subjected TO a constitution irameu
hv Radicals. That such a constitution was
~, ir,.rded 10 subserye the best interests
If Mississippi goes without saying. In ioi-
lowing the example Of the southern states
nv revising her constitution, Mississippi Il
nlacinc herself in line with the rest oi Tue
south. The results Of the constitutional
convention. now in session at Jackson
xill. therefore. be watched for eagerly, es-
neciallv. as behind all the many plans pro
posed is the desire 10 secure the saie'! o'
the state in white supremacy.
The propositions have been grouped as
follows:
change in the basis Of representation
Of such character as to vest the governing
power in the white counties simply, or III
the white counties and senatorial districts
Plural voting on basis TO make plurai
voters Of a sufficient number OF whites 10
secure a safe white majority.
Examination. registration. and cerilica-
ton of fitness to vote by commission.
Conferring suffrage upon females having
certain property qualifications and upon
male minors between the ages OF sixteen
and twenty-one years possessing certain
property and educational qualifications.
A disqualification for crimes of certaln
character.
A longer residence in the state and
county.
An increased compulsory poll-taN pre-
paid or a compulsory poll-taN Of the present
amount and voluntary one of a greater
amount prepaid, the latter to carry with us
payment the right 10 vote.
The Australian ballot system.
Dwcllcrs in the sections most thichly sell
, tied by the blacks have shown apatriolIc
disposition TO rolinQuish some OF their rights
70 representation in the Legislature from
their section SO as to ensure the successful
working Of the first proposition. This IN
wolves. however. the election OF the cover
nor and other state officers by the Legisla-
ture. and wise men contend that this would
be too great concentration Of power IN a
few hands.
Plural voting is the plan ably advocated
by Judge Campbell, but the objections TO IL
are that it would be cumbersome even were
if in accord with the Constitution Of ting
United states. 1t is claimed that 1t Is con-
trary TO the spirit of section second, OF aIii-
Gle fourth of the Constitution, that "the citi-
lons Of each state shall Doc entitled to all the
privileges and immunities of citizens IA the
several states. and section one OF article
fifteen that .therieht Ofcitizens Of the nitcd
States TO vote Shall not be denied or
abridged boy tl,c United states on account
of race. color or previous condition Of
seryitude.'" Under Judge Cambclrs plan
every citizen. black or white. is given the
power to vote. and it is claimed that IT Is
perfectly within constitutional limits for
the men who have more at stake IN the
preservation of the state to have greater
power i'm voting than those who have moth
Ing to gain or lose
The protection OF a poll tax requisite 10
suffrage can easily be overcome by the use
of the corruption fund supplied by RepuDll-
can hackers as has been done in Virginia.
OF the remaining feasible plans. there
fore. the Australian ballot system appears
most practicable. Against this in its en-
tirety is advanced the clause of the
state Constitution Of 1865 that mo
property or educational qualification
snail ever be required for any per-
son TO become an elector.' Whether
or not the state has the power to
amend its constitution in this particular
the test Of a man being able to write bic
own name-has been left to the judiciary
committee of the convention to decide. TINS
difficulty could be easily overcome, IL II
thought. were the clause but the result Of
voluntary action by the people Of TIC
state. But as it was expressly prescribed
by CONGRESS rs one Of the terms
Of Mississipprs readmssl0n 10 the Union
il is contended that it L. binding
forever unless revoked by Congress. ~
the party now controlling Congress thrives
upon ignorance it cannot be expected ia
, remove one of its strongest props in the
south. 1t remains to be settled, therefore
whether or not the Australian ballot sys
TEN cannot be adopted in such a form as tC
be entirely constitutional and at the same
time stand as a bar to negro supremacy II
Mississippi.
II is fierce struggle in which Mississippi
is so soberly and thoushtiully engaged, anC
the whole south is watching it with sym
pathv for the state and in hope that it may
work out its political freedom secure Tor
ever.
NORTH CAROLINA DEMOCRACY