The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1890-03-29
COSsfIrUrIOSAL CONVENTION.
Bolivar Review

changes which ought to Oe made in
the constitution are concerned, am
free to say that they are decided, both
as to what ought and ought not to be
done; but could not discuss them all,
or give my reasons for them in this
letter without making it too long. |
shall, therefore, only as briefly as can,
advert to the two questions which
seem uppermost in the pubic mind
and have been most discussed.
allude to the Suffrage and Judi
eisry questions, though | think it
would be easy to show, ifneither of
these, matters important as they are,
were to undergo any change, still the
convention will have in its power,
and believe viii confer lasting good
upon the people of the State, and
many times over repay them in costs.
As to the right to vote upon mature
reflection | am opposed, both to an ed
ucatlonal and property qualification.
The first seems right IN theory but
when fairly and dispassionately consid-
cred in its relation to our peculiar con-
dition, there are to my mind insupera-
BILE objections 10 it, and | am sure in
very few years il would be found that
1t is not the remedy for the evils now
complained of as resulting from negro
suffrage.
BY the 18th amendment to the con-
stitution Of the United States, the ne
gro was made a citizen, and the 18th
amendment, any discrimination against
him as a voter was prohibited; and
only the widest dreamer can ever ex-
pect to see these provisions abolished,
nor can they be evaded. The one fol-
lows the other as naturally as day fol-
lows night
Ii is true an educational qualiilca-
tion would not be repugnant to the
18th amendment. But how many
years will 1t be before the negro boys
now growing up with those who have
in the last ten or fifteon years grown
up, will receive a smattering so-called
education, and in the black counties
out-number white voters.
At this term of the court saw ne
gro man, who is considerable prop
erty holder and is a good and worthy
citizen, refused on the jury because he
could not read, while a negro boy
scarcely Of age, not worth dollar,
and who, in every respect, was his in
ferior was sworn In because he could
read-or said he could. The county
has now in it hundreds of such boys,
and before many years may have
thousands, most of them worthless
drones, who are here to-day and to-
morrow gone, who have not and never
will have either pride or money to ac-
quire a single moral or other qualif-
cation to entitle them to vote unless a
so-called educational qualification is
adopted and that such as it is they will
have got before they were fourteen
years old. A property qualification is
contrary to the spirit and genius OF
our institution, and viii hardly receive
any consideration in the convention.
| l favor the plan suggested by many
of residence qualification, and with
that payment OF poll tax, as a pre-
requisite to registration and voting.
No objection can be made to the
new constitution imposing poll tax
and providing for its enforcement
upon all who desire to vote. This tax
in my opinion, ought to be devoted to
the use of the common schools in the
counties, where it is paid, in addition
to any pro ratio distribution to the
common school fund from any Other
source. And II would perhaps be
well to provide that the tax paid by
colored voters should be exclusively
devoted to the colored schools. Al
, least ! am in favor of this, and thiub
it probable that the residence and pol
tax qualification will be adopted.
The length of time required for res
idence in the State, County and Dis
trict, aud the amount of poll tax will
no doubt receive careful consideration
in the Convention and be fixed upon
basis just aud fair to all citizens.
: The effect of these provisions will
be to inspire in all negroes who ar
worthy of citizenship aud who reall
0 desire the advancement of their race,
J, pride In the government of the coun
try, In their homes and iu many way
to their good and the common we
fare, while 1t will eliminate from th
:. mass of voters the ignorant vicious an
Q wandering class, who can never b
found except at election time
}, As to the second matter to which
J. propose to allude, the election or al
!. pointment Of Judges, | am opposed t
u the election of Judges by the peopl,
u but favor their appointment, as now
= with provision, however, requiring
{. nomination and confirmation or n
. lection by the Senate to be made |
II open session. In fact hope the Coz
L vention will prohibit all secret session
T. of either house, no matter upon wht
g pretence desired. 1t seems to me
" this were done, with only one teri
g for the Governor which | also favo
and the Governor was also required {
u lay before the Senate when require
!. by any SenatoE any recommendation
Z or objections which were made to hil
y as to any appointment; that there ca
! be no real good to be accomplished b
y election ofjudges or objection to the
I appointment. All appointments mad
:, In vacation ought to be made only
70 the next session ofthe Senate, wheth,
N convened In extra session or otherwis
~ Personally | favor some changes in oil
y Judiciary system, which experien,
III and observation have taught n
would be beneficial; but this letter
y growing to long.
y Respectfully,
40 L. A. MoNTGoMER
~
Sc The Ex-Treasurer Arrested and Bale