The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-26
POI the Edltor Of Ia Tlmes:

10 the Editor Of The Times:
Sir,-The circumstances that have en-
compassed the people Of Virginia for
more than twenty years, relative TO the
right Of suffrage, have been peculiar
and In the black belt almost intolerable.
The serious problem OF negro supremacy
threatened the white race for a long
| period of time. Unprincpled politicians
used the votes Of these ignorant peO-
! PIE as platform from which tney
ieaped into power; they pandered 10 their
most debased passions and prciudiccs
! ana IN many instances the very scuri
OF the earth held the offices OF the coun-
| Try. This naturally excited the most vio-
! lent opposition Of intelligent white peo-
pie, and. at least cOndOned II il did
not Justify the, perhaps, revolutionary
measures which were taken 10 maintain
race supremacy. BY dint Of superior in
telligence, and a more commanding res0-
luton the Anglo-Saxon race succeeded IN
maintaining their supremacy After
mat was settled it became an anxious
and important problem with all good
men as TO how the election laws might
be 50 changed as 10 prevent fraud and
give to the people al the polls "a just and
proper expression of their opinion. The
writer had always favored the Austria
Han ballot system. which has met the
opposition OF intelligent people all over
the world. and voted for the Walton
bill, which was hurried through the
Legislature OF 1924. and did not receive
the care which il deserved. though the
main features are good, and ! earnestly
FAVOR the system upon which il is based.
il would not have passed I'm its present
shape If more time could have been
given to it's consideration.
II is Of the greatest importance. i'm
deed. Il is of the most imperious ana
commanding necessity that it should Doe
altered and amended.
The special-cOnstable feature should be
abolished. and each political party should
have It's own device on the official ticket
and the names OF the candidates should
not be alternated. and a person who is
physically disqualified should have the
right 10 call upon one of the Judges OF
the election 10 aid him I'm the prepare
ton OF his ballot. If he so desires. N Us
not generally known. but 70 is neverthc-
less true that the present Constitution
OF Virginia requires an educational quail
ncation for voters. Section p article 3.
states. All elections shall Doe by ballot"
II Is true that section 1, article 3. states
that every male citizen who shall have
been an inhabiant OF the United States. |
who is twenty-one years old. shall have |
the right 10 vote, but n Is qualified by |
the second section, which states, specin- /
cally, the manner I'm which voting shall |
he done. IL must be done i'm a certain /
way How? Answer by ballot. NOW, |
what 81 voting by ballot? IL is voting a |
ticket either written or printed. can l
any man properly or lawfully vote a
ticket written or printed. unless he can /
read il? When the Constitution express
~ states that voting shall be by ballot
is there any escape from its meaning I
Surely IL cannot be cOntended that
man should De allowed 10 vote a ballot
which he could not read. 10 Is there
fore. In my opinion, proper construction
of the Constitution that a man must Doe
able 10 read writing or printing 10 en-
able him 20 vote. No other cOnstruc-
ion Is either reasonable or proper. This
construction, and ~ seems 10 me 20 Doe
plain. enables us to cOnsttutiOnally ana
properly dispense with the special con-
stable. That feature has worked badly
and tremendous democratic opposition
s justly arrayed against f. 10 is boldly
stated that under the present opera
lion OF The Walton law" i'm many boz
tances the special constable gives a
signal 10 the bribe-paying cashier who
stands on guard. who after the vote is
counted. pays the bride, takes his money.
This, If true. is a very complete transac-
ion. and utterly destroys the fairness OF
Elections. The alteration of the names
s also wrong IN principle and too much
,ower is given the Electoral Boards 10
eems TO me that the bill OF Senator
ames Hay is right, and that 10 would
ompletely cure the present evils Of The
ystem.
A powerful feeling Of opposition ~
he less and most intelligent Demo ~
] Virginia against the Walton laWW s.
is now operated. exists. and is growing
n strength. IL is an opposition which
8nnOt be whistled down. 10 cannot be
overlooked without serious loss TO the
democratic party II would be danger
as TO the success Of the Democratic
arty I'm the highest degree % let the
resent Legislature adjourn without pass
lg the bill Of Senator James Hay or
ONE similar measure.
CAAIM PATTESON.
Richmond. Va, January q. 1896