Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-11
Mr.. LYNCH TO Mr.. MONTGOMERY.
The Former CritlcIscs the Mississippi
Franchise Report.

John r. Lynch, of Mississippi. Fourth
Auditor Of the Treasury Department at
Washington, writes thus to the Word OF
Isaiah L. Montgomerys speech IN the Mis-
sissippi Constitutional Convention:
Isaiah L. Montgomery, the only colored
member of the Mississippi Constitutional
Convention. is a gentleman whom have
known favorably and well for a number OF
years. have always believed him TO be
man Of good sense, O sound Republican,
and loyal 10 his race. In point OF lntelll-
gehce be is above tho average, and what
ever mistakes he may make, either as q
member of the Constitutional Convention
or otherwise, he is at least emitted to
credit for honesty OF purpose and
sincerity OF motives. HIS advocacy
of the adoption OF the report SUB
mitted 20 the Franchise Committee OF the
convention was a very great surprise 20
his friends throughout the State OF Missis-
sippi. When / first read the announce
ment that he advocated the adoption OF
the report | questioned Its accuracy. ana
therefore took the liberty OF writing MN
a personal letter TO Ind out MS real posi-;
ton on the subject. In lis reply he used
the following language: You Will notice
that in the speech I have gone as far as
possible on the lines indicated and sup.
ported the committee report as choice OF
evils IL is on this point that Mr.. Mont
gomery. in my opinion, has made grave
If not a fatal mistake.
1.-THE proposition of the committee, the
adoption of which Mr.. Montgomery adyo-
Gated "a a choice of evils, is not only mis-
chieyous, but positively wicked. NO plan
that has been suggested. no proposition
that has been submitted, and no scheme
that could be devised could be more often,
siye or obnoxious than the one submitted
by the Franchise Committee in the Constl-
tutional Convention. In advocating us
adoption, even as a choice OF eVlls, MT;
Montgomery. | am sure, neither reHecteu
the wishes nor expressed the sentlmeh, OF
the colored people OF the STATE OF MIS-
sissippi II was not only denounced by
some of the strongest and ablest members
of the convention, but 10 IS largely critl.
clsed and condemned by a large portion OF
the Democratic press OF the state.
"The Brandon Miss ReDtbhcdn, one OF
the leading Republican papers OF the state,
in speaking Of the report OF the franchlse
Committee said As compromise 1nea-
sure we could stand the new franchise law
as adontcd by the convention, were II not
for the absurd, unnecessary, and DISGRACE;
ful caueo rcnuiriug voter TO understand
tbe Constitution when read 10 him. Lead
inc LAWYERS frequently disagree as TO the
meaning of a clause IN the Constitution,
and vet il is left to the judges OF election
10 decide whether or not INC NOIeI OOh-
strues IL correctly
The Natchez (AIiss.) Democrat, the
leading daily Democratic paper published
i'm the southeastern portion of the state.
said editorially: The alternative that
voter shall De able 20 understand the Con-
stitution when read TO him or give rea-
sonable Interpretation of 1t IS quite as OBJ
iectionable. in this. thatitimposes upon the
Supervisors of elections the duty and power
Of determining the understanding OF the
voter of document that a more enlght-
ened and learned committee of examiners
might determine that the supervisor HIM
self was not capable of Interpreting
These criticisms are all appropriate and
lust. Judge Chrstman. it is true, IS IN
favor of an unconditional educational and
property qualification. Objectionable as
his plan may be- IT is less mischievous and
wicked than the makeshift plan proposed
by the Franchise Committee. Under that
plan no man can vote, II matters not how
intelligent he may be or how much property
he NAV own, If the registration officers do
not want him TO vote. The entire scheme
is q fraud, a sham, and a swindle, the sole
purpose Of which Is to perpetuate the
ascendancy of the Democratic party IN the
State. That Mr. Montgomery should have
made the mistake Of advocating the adop-
ton of such scheme isa great disappoint-
ment TO his friends, although no one who
knows the man will impute to him any
other than honest motives and sincere pur-
DOsesN