Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-01
ursTpIcTIoy OF SUFFRAGE.

RESTRICTION OE ''t''''''
The thousands Of Yirginians who would
IKE to see our state Constitution so
amended as 10 place restriction upon
suffrage may learn something from the
fate Of the Hardwick bill in the Georgia
Legislature.
The bin in question was not endorsed
either by the Democratic State Conven-
ton or by the legislative caucus OF the
party. II was introduced by Mr. Hard
wick. n young member, on his own re-
sponslblity. and was reported from the
committee 10 which II was referred with
an unfavorable recommendation
The opponents Of the measure were
divided into two classes-first. those VINO
maintained that no action OF any sort
vas necessary; second. those who favor
ed some restriction. but held that the
Uardwick plan was too radical. This
class. we judge. was in the majority
The result was that when the bill was
put upon it's third reading in the House
Il received only votes, while lS7 were
recorded against It.
The bill proposed an amendment by
which an educational qualification and
one OF intelligence as well was required
OF all persons and the descendants of all
persons who were not entitled TO vote in
the state Of their residence on January
]. 1861. and prior thereto. The qualifica-
ton of reading and reasonably interpret
ing any section of the Constitution Of
the state did not apply to those persons
or their descendants who were entitled
TO vote on January /. 1867.
We quote from the Atlanta Constitu-
ton:
in the course Of the debate Mr. Har-
risOn, OF Quitman county, declared that
the proposed measure was harsher IN
every respect than any reform bill ever
enacted into law in any Of the Southern
States. He said:
"In Mississippi some educational quail
fcation is imposed by recent enactment,
but the qualification is. nothing com
pared TO the harshness Of this measure.
"The objection | raise TO the bill here
and the objection with which l fought
the measure in the committee-room IS
that it is legislating purposely, positive
T.
purposely. positively, and cOnclusiVely
in favor of another race.
rs il iudcious TO work this change in
the law? | speak from an experience OF
fifty years as a citizen, in which time /
have had occasion to observe the pre-
vailing conditions in my state, and tell
you that the provisions of this bill are
first of all unnecessary
Mr. Howard of ChattahOochee. OPP
posed the passage of the bill on the
ground that he did not consider educa-
ton. particularly that of the kind OBJ
tanned by negroes in rural districts Of
the State a proper qualification of citi-
zcnship. He said:
In my section Of the State the negro
who has never spent one day in school
IS the best citizen Of his class and the
most intelligent voter of his race. 1t
has been my observation that education
IS not a test Of citizenship.
I'VE are hedged in by the Federal Con-
stituuon, which prohibits us from bar
ring any man from citizenship by reason
of race, color, or previous condition Of
service, and I cannot see how the bill
before the House can be considered in
any light but as a violation of the pro-
vision of that Constitution.
IF we are TO Gimit the franchise it Is
limit that should work alike in both
races. If this measure were amended so
that It would eliminate the worst class OF
both races, | would favor II"
Mr.. Overstreet Of Screven, began with
the statement that he would feel that
he was doing the people of his section
and state an injustice and falling Tar
short Of his duty TO his constituents or
he did not raise his voice in opposition
to the pending measure. He said:
From the time when the fifteenth
amendment TO the Constitution was enact
cd up 10 the present day. the best part
of the negro race in Georgia has voted
with and stood by the party 10 which
I have the honor to belong.
Il would take pleasure in going on rec
ord as favorins the elimination of the
ignorant and purchasable voter of all
Classes of this State but I am not in
favor Of the discrimination which is pro-
posed in this bill"
Mr. Blalock, Of Fayette. spoke for a
few moments in opposition TO the passage
of the bill on the ground principally that
ii was unnecessary.
Quite likely the result of this IMPROVE
dent and fl-judged attempt to restrict
suffrage in Georgia will be to delay ac-
ton by that State yet we see no reason
to alter the opinion we have heretofore
expressed that I'm time each Southern
State will find a way TO accomplish that
object. In North Carolina recent stirring
events there seem TO have crystallized
public opinion on this subject. Our
friend down there have had a great oh
ject lesson, and seem inclined 10 profit
by it, In other States public sentiment
may be slower in forming, but when
formed, We believe it will harden till all
representatives of the people become ODE
dent TO it.
In Virginia we know that there is an
Objectionable class of voters. but as yet
we do not know how TO so about framing
an amendment to get rid OF them That
information can only be obtained by pub
lie discussion-by debates in the Legisla-
ture. and in party conventions. and
through the columns of the newspaper
press. And when, at last, we find out
what measure win meet the demands Of
the situation, we have only to make it a
party measure and issue a challenge 10
all corners to fight us on the line we
have chosen.
Whatever else may be said or thought