Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-07
Restricted Suffrage in Virginia.

We recently mentioned the fact that the
Blackstone Courier had come out in favor Of the
Australian ballot system, or, as an alternative,
for q convention 10 revise the State Constitution.
We made no comments. But the Courier calls
for comments. /, says:
The people OF Virginia would like TO know
what the DISPATCH thinks about this important
matter. Let US have the views OF the iargest
and leading Democratic newspaper ID the
State
There is no doubt that something ought to be
done 10 better the condition Of the counties in
the black belt. A civilization which no Nirginian
can boast OF is manifested in that section on
every election-day, and we might say much
oftener Unfortunately for the people Of the
black belt, there is large section Of the State
whose white inhabitants are so much more nu-
merous than its colored inhabitants that the
white ones do not feel as they ought TO feel for
their fellow. citizens In those portions Of the
State oyerrun by negroes
The remedy for this condition Of things Is not
easily 10 be found. Virginia made an attempt
in 1870 to strengthen the hands Of the whites 10y
adding 10 her Constitution an amendment
making the payment OF a capitation tax pre-
requisite or qualification Of the right 10 vote.
But the capitaton tax was only 81 a year; and
we learned from experience that it operated to
the injury rather than TO the benefit OF the white
people. One reason was that whilst the negro
voters had no objection whatever 10 having
their taxes paid for them the white
voters preferred not 10 vote at all rather
than TO have their taxes paid for
them. The whites did not feel free TO vote as
they pleased, but felt as il they had come under
an obligation TO vote with the men who had paid
the capitation tax for them. Another reason
was that the Republicans Of the North were
more able and more willing 10 contribute money
! TO enable the Virginia negroes TO vote the Ro-
publican ticket than the Democrats OF the North
were TO contribute money 70 enable the white
mon of Virginia 10 vote the Democratic ticket.
| The result was that the Constitution was 80
amended as to strike out the amendment OF
| 1876. being that feature OF the Constitution
which made the payment Of a capitatlon tax a
| prerequisite to voting.
The people viii hardly consent 20 try that ex-
! pertinent again, M 1t would be necessary 10 fix
the capitation tax nj a much higher figure than
/ 81.
property qualification would be likely to be
| offensive TO the poorer class OF whites, who
| would therefore vote against ratltying Consti-
tuition containing sucn feature, and thus find
/ themselves voting with the negroes. They would,
with the negroes, constitute a majority Of the
/ voters, and by uniting with the negroes might
/ defeat the Democratic party in all the State
/ elections.
/ so also "a to the proposition 70 make the sbil'-
| ~ to read and write qualification of voters.
/ 1t would offend large class of voters
| Bat, az Virginia has had two forms of govern
ment which were never ratified by the people,
the convention that made the new constitution
/ might put it into operation. However, this is
Just what the Virginia whites will never consent
/ TO 90.
| The system OF voting may, some think, have in
II remedy for the present condition Of things In
| Virginia. The people, however, have not tried
| that, and may consider II loo much like some OF
the proposed qualifications Of voters TO be
adopted by them.
1 We have contented ourselves with stating
some Of the objections which viii be raised
against the various propositions 80 to amend the
state Constitution as to improve the condition
OF things in the negro counties. way nust be
found or made. We must, to use the words OF
the Courier, establish some permanent safe
guard against the mass of ignorance and
venality which annually menaces the peace
OF our institutions" What Is the Courier 3
remedy We are inclined TO the opinion that q
convention 10 mako new constitution Is the
best remedy. "In ths multitude OF COUNSEL
lors" says the Bible, "there lie safety" Safety
is what we desire TO secure for our race and our
FREQ institutions. Mississippi solved the same
problem We have before US by a resort to con-
stitutonal convention. Nirginians ought TO be
/ equal 70 the demands which the circumstances
OF the case make upon them.
4 The Legislature has no time 20 revise the Con-
a
sitting only 80 or I20 days that body hardly has
ZINE 70 perform Its duties as a Legislature A
new constitution must be the work OF conven,
I ton.