Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-14
A NEW ELECTI0NLAW
Senators Agree on a Compromise Ell
Which Will Doubtless Pass.
THE HOUSE COMMITTED TO IT.
The Constable Feature 20 De Abol-
ishcd and the EIector May select
Judge 10 Mark HIS naiiot-0ther
Proxisions.

The people Of Virginia are almost cer-
tain to have a new election law.
This was practically decided last night
by the Democratic senators, who. after
two conferences. harmonized their views.
and decided to report a bili to be known
as the election law of 1886" which Is
to be a perfection Of thR Walton law,
under which Virginia voters have been
exercising their franchises for the past
two years.
The bill, which will be presented in
the Senate to-day. amenls the Walton
law I'm the following particulars:
There are to be no constables. but the
elector who Is physically or mentally dis
qualified from marking his ballot may,
the judges TO perform that duty for him.
and the Judge is bound TO secrecy under
the penalty Of twelve months in jail.
The type on all ballots is to be uniform;
and the names appearing thereon are
to be printed in regular order.
A Difference OF VIEW.
When the conference adjouyned wednes-
day night the Senators, as stated in yes.
terdays Dispatch, were widely apart in
their views, and there was little prospect
Of an agreement. A committee was ap-
pointed to draft a bill for submission TO
an adjourned meeting last night. and they
did so, Incorporating in the bill the pro-
visions given above. but requiring that
the judges should alternate In marking
the tickets Of illlterate voters. This bill.
they thought, would meet all views, and
when the senators reassembled last Night
1t was with determination TO get toy
gether
The senators from the South Side (or
black belt) favored the abolition OF the
constable feature of the Walton law. but
wanted the judges 70 alternate In mark
ing the ballots Those who represented
constituencies elsewhere In the State were
opposed to alienation among the judges.
and as a compromise measure, advocated
the return to the old Anderson-McCorm
law. They made a strong fight for the
old law, and It looked at one time as
though they would succeed In effecting q
return.
A CHANGE FOR HARMONY.
Mr.. Flood, who had been with the South
side people in the fight for the alienation
of the judges In marking the ballots,
realized the futility Of their fight and,
being strenuously opposed to return to
the Anderson Mccormick law. offered ss
an amendment to the committees bill,
with a view to harmonizing matters, that
the elector be permitted TO select any ono
Of the judges he might desire to mark his
ballot for him.
Inis proved TO be a pivotal motion. and
brought harmony out OF dIscord. Some
little discussion ensued, as a matter OF
course but a vote was soon taken, ana
at IL 30 o'clock II was determined by
large majority to adopt the bill prepared
by the committee with the amendment
offered by Mr.. Flood.
The bill as amended was promptly
drawn. and II will be submitted 10 the
Senate to-day by Mr.. Little, chairman
Of the Committee on Privileges and Elec-
tions. There Is no question Of its passing
the Senate, and IL will in all probability
do 20 without any discussion II is gene-
rally understood that the Democratic
members OF the House are committed 70
IL. and thus II will more than likely be-
come a law