The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-06
rur Vicious ILLlTERArEs."

,e Legislature of Virginia in Its last
IRIS passed bin directing that the
stion shall be submitted TO the vot-
of Virginia in May. 1897, whether
will or whether they will not have
Constitutional Convention for the state
people are therefore confronted with
question they must answer IT, and
proper that they should take II into
most serious consideration and de-
nine what il is best to do in the prem
We put aside all the talk we hear
but the necessity for "a convention TO
model our Constitution In the interest
economy. There is very little ground
Z mos; Of this talk. If there were any
hl disposition to reduce our expenses
e LEGISLATURE is as competent to do II
convention would be. But exactly
@ same influences which prevent the
legislature from reducing them will pre-
mt a convention from reducing thom.
y that. i'm the matter OF expenses. we
hou.d have One cost OF a convention sad
lied on us and not "A dollar Of expenses
Induced anywhere. The talk about re-
juction Of expenses Is little more than
blind to cover the real object, which Is
[o change our basis Of suffrage. so as TO
hisquallfy large part Of the population
| or voting.
The present cry is that we must dis
franchise the vicious illiterates. But
who shall say which iliterate man is Vi
c,ous and which is virtuous? The advo-
lAtes of a convention dare not 30 before
In people OF Virginia and say That they
kaht a Constitutional Convention TO dis
Franchise all illiterate men. so they say
|hey want it to disfranchise the vicious
buterates" Tho propose 10 ascertain the
Vicious illiterates 10y adopting for the
efate OF Virginia some similar Constitu-
lion TO that which Mississippi has adopt
Ia. This directs that the registration ON
! ,rs shall refuse TO register voter I'M
- he can either read The Constitution
n the statc or understand II when read
him. and the registration officers are
tade the sole Judges Of whether an init
kra,e applicant can understand the Con-
ktitution when read to him or whether he
rsnnot. What happens under such a sys-
hcmy The registration officers ind that
those jlilterate men can understand the
Sonstitution when read 10 them that they
,sh 10 see registered. and that those
|nterate men whom they object TO See
ng registered cannot understand Il. ana
mus the fundamental right OF the citizen
the right THAI lies at the bottom OF all
bfher rights, IL made 20 depend upon the
|xhims and humors OF a set Of irrespon-
kible registration officers. all of whom
|nay be corrupt men. According 10 TINS
|,.cheme. then, all illiterate men whom a
let Of possibly corrupt registration OH
|cerr do not wish 20 see voters are vicious
hen. and all illiterate men whom these
Sotcers want to see registered are Shtu-
~ men. pretty system Of government
xuly:
This situation is very simple one in
nHed. II Is this. The State mas "a very
|b.rxe body OF fliiterato negro voters and
harg< body also OF iliiterate white voters.
rhe white people OF Virginia will never
<onsent to see her illiteraie white sons
1lrfranchised. Their conduct IN the war
|oroved that they are as self-sacr.iicing.
u brave and az patriotic as the most cul-
trred OF her citizens. They are In every
|~ay. untitled to take citizens full part
u ~ government of the State, and the
,oopIs Of Virginia will never consent to
- th>lr right to take that part dimin'