Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-11
SUNDAY. ..........AE RlL III, 1891


The Norfolk Landmark does not admit
that there is much force in the argu-
ment OF Congressman Jones, that be-
cause we cannot keep the whole unde-
sirable element out of the electorate We
ought not TO restrict suffrage.
The Landmark says Mr.. Jones's reason
ing reminds it of the reasoning of
President Cleveland when he sent to
Congress his veto Of the bill restricting
immigration. 'Inasmuch as an educa-
tional qualification would not exclude
the educated agitator, who eXcites the
credulous and ignorant. Nir.- Cleveland
thought, 1T best TO check amy effort to-
wards admitting fewer ignorant and
credulous persons for the agitator to
excltel'
The Landmark and the Dispatch are
on opposite sides, so far as the present
constitutional convention question Is
concerned. but we must say that the
matter of Mr.. Jones's objection is largely
a matter of statistics. We do not know
where he got his figures, but he Is an
able and careful man, and we presume
that he has some foundation for his be-
lief that an educational qualification Tor
voting would keep out the old-time darky
and admit the saucy, new-lssue negro.
All that we know on the subject Is
that the census officers found in Virginia
in 1890 81 per cent. of colored persons ~
wears of age and over who were illite-
rate. and IA per cent. of whites who were
I'm the same condition. During the past
five years we should think that botn
percentages had been decreased some
what: but we have no data at all as to
the question raised by Mr.. Jones. In
she percentages here given, we have
however. positive rebuttal of the often
made assertion that an educational quail
sication would disfranchise almost as
many Virginia whites as blacks"
II is very clear that our people
are not yet ready to take up ana
pass upon the question OF restricting
suffrase I'm this State. When they are
rrepared TO debate and decide that ques-
zion We believe a proposition something
tike the following will receive liberal
support:
That only the following men be en-
Allied 70 vote: All who have done
military service for Virginia in time
M war: O. Those who have been assessed
for the payment of property taxes to the
amount OF 8; 3. Those who are able
20 read the State CONSTITUTION.
The blank in No. should be filed with
figures between 100 and 200.
Some such provisions would give US
much more reliable electorate than we
have now. The subject however, is
INT little understood. and while many OF
the original advocates of calling a con-
stitutional convention favored an amend
,nent 10 the Constitution restricting suf-
fraee, we now find some OF those who are
taking the lead in the movement prom
,s,ne that II a convention be carried there
Will be no change made in the present
suffrage article
This condition Of affairs confirms US In
our opinion that this is no time to order
a convention, and that before taking
,euch action we would better find out
,what the people will expect a convention
10 do For our part, when constitu-
sional convention is held, we hope that
81 viii tackle this suffrage question
with all OF its might and main.
We agree with Mr.. Jones that II would
not be advisable for Democrats to vote
save" on the constitutional convention
question.
And what is more. we believe the IN
Auence OF Mr. Jones will go far towards
determining the fate Of this question on
May 27th.