The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-03

tho next best measure. While he uld
not deny that fraud had been pcrpeirated
In this state. he did deny that II had
been The property OF the Democratic
parry, and II was often the case that
those who cried fraud the loudest were
most apt to pcfpetrate fraud.
Mr. Coles, OF Northumberland. said that
the Craig bin was the only election Dill
before the House which deserved the CON
sideration OF those who were In favor OF
honest and fair elections. Looking AZ TINS
matter from a political standpoint, ii ne
was Democrat he would just as loudiy
advocate the cause OF honest elecuohs'
The reason that the minority was more
largely represented in the General As
sembly was because the sentiment Tor
honest elections was growing In the
State. lie believed that the people re-
quired "A change. not only the ke9uoii-
cans, the ropulists. and the Prohbluon-
lists. but also the bone and sincw or me
Democratic party. The fear OF negro RUE
as expressed by the gentleman from Anne
la Gen. Hundioy). he thought was utterly
without foundation that the gentleman
was also mistaken IN saying that the
bill presented by the minority, as well
as the Craig b.ll. would destroy the Sc
crccy OF tho ballot.
no SYMPATHY FOR THE ILLIT-
ERATE.
Mr.. Parks. Of Page, said If he had his
choice he would 20 back to the old sys-
TEN. which the negro calls speak out
IN meeting" The Constitution, however,
forbade the viva yoce vote, yet there was
one thing he was IN favor OF, saat no one
should vote who did not ray his capita
ton tax. As TO the Walton law, IT had
worked well ia his section a. the state.
The free ballot meant that the voter
should have the right 10 cast his ballot
as he desired, and that u be 80 counted,
ana for that reason he was in favor OF
the viva voce vote. lie favored the Wal
ton law when 81 was passed, because 1t
took the voter away from outside inilu-
ences. If the manner OF budding voters
together like cattle was continued, the
time would not be far off when no poor
man could be elected 10 an office, and the
republican form Of government would
only be continued I'm name.
The speaker said he could not vote
for the Craig bill. but he vas in favor
Of some modification of the existing law.
lie was i'm favor Of supporting as far
as amendments had been offered, the
Parker substitute, whi-h he Thought
would satisfy The people best. lie did
not have much sympathy for people VINO
could not write their names. and they
should not be allowed 10 vote. No man
had any excuse for not knowing how TO
read and write.
Mr. Thomas. OF Clarke. then followed,
and in speaking Of the Parker substitute,
stated that it particularly protected the
negro in voting. and he warmly advo-
Gated its passage.
VIEWS or OTHERS.
Mr.. Keesee. Of Halifax. stated that his
people both white and colored. were
decidedly opposed TO the present law. and
he was in favor OF the Craig bill. if
that measure was passed without an
amendment the people of this State would
rejoice, but the Parker substitute actually
meant nothing else but the present Law.
The speaker asserted that the elections
in his county had not been fair; but
when questioned by General Hundley, he
had 10 admit that before the committee
that decided his contest he stated that
there had not been a fraud during his
election. lie thought the constable fea-
ture should be abolished. inasmuch as the
constable was amenable 10 dishonesty.
lie would vote for the Craig bill and
oppose any amendment to the same.
Mr. TaliaferrO, Of Orange county made
an earnest appeal 10 the members to
unite on measure that would be agree
able 10 all.
Mr.. Stovall. Of Halifax. who said he
represented all political parties in mis-
county. advocated the passage OF the
Craig law, which he thought would be
fair compromise
Mr. Parker of southampton. called the
attention of the House TO the fact that
# the Craig bill was passed by this body
there would be no legislation on this
subject for the Senate would not agree
to g. II. on the other hand. his own
substitute was adopted by the House. it
would be concurred in by the Senate with
in two hours
The amendment offered by Dr. Winston.
of Hanover, was then rejected. The chair
was then vacated until 1870 p. NJ.
FOR AN HONEST LAW.
Immediately after the chair was re-
sumcd, at $3.50 +. NJ, Mr.. Harrison. Of
Lynchburg, was recognized by Speaker
Ryan. who started out by saying that
he had not been instructed by his con-
stituents nor was he under any pledge
in regard to the election bills. lie spoke
of the animosity shown by the supporters
of the Parker bill against those who
given the House as the gospel pure and
simple. and il had been stated that that
was the only bill that could be passed. for
the Senate would not agree to any other
measure The gentleman from Amelia, in
speaking TO his bill, had put himself
on record in saying that he was i'm favor
of the Walton law which he considered
perfect, but as a concession TO his breth-
rem on the floor who differed with him
on the subject. he would be willing to
accent the Parker bill as a substitute
The right to vote, the speaker said is
q constitutional right given to every ciu-
zen. and we have no right to deny.
abridge. or curtai this right The power
of the Legislature can extend no further
than to provide the secure exercise Of the
election franchise. The Legislature
therefore. must first provide that the
law on its face is a fair one. IL the
law. fair on its face. IS abused. II Is
not the fault Of the law-making power
but of the Individual citizen. who can
be dealt with according 10 law The OBJ
lection to the Walton law IS the consta-
bic feature, just as much as II was two
years ago. The people do not object TO
1t because ii has led mp 10 fraud, but be-
cause il is not fair on its face Just at
the point where the illiterate voter casts
his ballot. all power is united 81 one
man. The law does not confer adequate
protection for the citizens 70 exercise
their constitutional right 10 vote II may
Just as well provide upon its face that
any election officer may have exclusive
power and supervision. The Walton law
i'm it's constable feature is a species Of
legislative legerdemain TO disfranchise
the illterate voter. and yet appear not
TO do that thing. There is a demand for
a change Of the law.