The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-12-06
IRON CAROLINE.

Editor Times: Now that the smoke OF
the battle OF ballots Of the 9th of Novem-
Der has cleared away. and the people OF
all parties are more capable of passing
dispassioned and intelligent judgment
upon the Walton election law, WISH 10
briefly discuss its merits and dement's
through the columns Of The Times. rms
law has some virtues and many vices
If IL was the intent OF the law 10 prescribe
an educational qualification for voters,
and the constable feature of the law was
entirely stricken out then the law would
be most estimable one, provided IL was
not repugnant TO the Constitution. DO
not propose to discuss It's cOnsttutondlty
in this article. but assuming that as at
present enacted tt IS, then il presents very
crude and vicious Observation-Disclosures the
results of elections very largely in the
hands Of the cOnStableS. however honest
they may be, and receiving as many dlt-
ferent constructions as the many CON
stables, each for himself, may choose 10
put upon IT. This law, by its terms only
requires the special constables to aid a
voter physically or educduondlIy uh-
able to vote, upon his request 10 the eX-
tent OF reading over to him the names
and Offices on the ticket and pointing out
to him the name or names he may wish
to strike out. / say the above Is all which
the law In terms makes mandatory on the
constable. 1t is true il says he shall 9TH
erwise aid him in preparing his ballot,
but what is he otherwise TO do for him?
Practically al least anything else the con
stable chooses and nothing else If he so
chooses. If the General Assembly Of Nir-
gnia intended that every man entitled to
vote by the Constitution should vote no
matter how illiterate he was, why did ii
not define at large and specifically all
that the constable should do to enable
him to vote, and make this all large and
comprehensive enough TO secure to every
voter the exercise of the elective fran
chise? The purpose OF this law was man
ifestly TO prescribe, not directly, but in
directly a61pa tlnnal qualification for
the yOter-not directly, because the legis-
lators were afraid to risk the cOnSttu-
tionality of the law If they did so. hence
the indirect attempt. | do not say that
the present law IL constitutional, nor that
IL is not, but If constitutional ii IS liable
to grave abuse and is destructive of the
exercise of the elective franchise. / am
not averse to an educational qualification
as a prerequisite to the right to vote.
but when II is required II should be by
direction and not indrection. and should
be gradual in its application. We in Nir
ginia will never nave peace under the
present law. There will come up from all
over the State after every election the cry
OF fraud and suppression OF the vote and
cheating the electors. Our election laws
should be so fair as TO create the least
possible friction, and the continuance In
force of tne present law will work the
destruction of the Democratic party. Ii
will solidify against II every Republican
and Populist whose columns Of attack
Der Of Democrats who are bitterly OPP
posed to the present law; men Of virtue,
Of honesty and sobriety. who in the past
decades have grown up unlettered men.
gentlemen who in the last election went
10 the polls and refused TO vote and went
home rather than display their ignorance.
and these combined forces will crush the
Democratic party the first chance they
have. which may not be quite one year
hence when the next Legislature Is 10 be
elected and a short ticket Is to be voted
AS Democrats then entrusted, and right
ly entrusted, with the Government OF Viz
ginia, we should at the very first OPP
portunity absolutely repeal this law or
perfect II. II perfected. as IL can easily
be, so as TO secure TO each voter the
casting of his ballot az he may express or
desire TO have il cast untrammeled or
coerced by any man. then IL will be a
vast Improvement over the old law-will
eliminate all fraud and money from cleo
tons and viii give us a pure ballot and
peace between parties
virginia, | think. could we'll afford 10
have an extra session OF the Legislature
10 repeal or perfect this law and TO put
into force the recent amendment to the
constitution as TO the jurisdiction OF JUS
tees. A Il. CHANDLER