The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-08-31
FRIDAY. AUGUST 81. 1900.
THE BEST REMEDY.

In discussing the question of limited sui
frage, The Times has endearored to make
these two things apparent: First, that the
Supreme Court of the United States viii
declare any State Constitution void which
is so framed as to be antagonistic to the
Fifteenth Amendment; and second. that
however the Constitution of State be
framed, If the election provision be en-
forced by the officers of the State in such
a way as to discriminate against the ne
gro because he is a negro, the court VIII
equally declare such constitutional pro-
vision to be void.
It is perfectly clear thatAthe Fifteenth
Amendment was framed with the purpose
In view of preventing any State from dis
eliminating against any voter because of
his race, color or previous condition OF
serritude. The language is plain and the
intent of the law was clearly set forth in
the report of the Committee on Recon-
sstruction which recommended it. It IS
equally clear that The constitutional pro-
visions adopted in mississippi. Louisiana,
South Carolina and North Carolina were
adopted for the purpose Of disfranchising
the negro because he is negro. No secret
is made of this and it is well understood
in all parts of the country. Now, when
ever an issue involving these two indis-
pu;abie facts is brought before the United
States Supreme Court there can be no
question as to the decision of the court.
We cannot but believe that sooner or later
case will be made up from some one of
the States which have disfranchised the
negro and carried to the Supreme Court
on its merits, and when that is done the
cour. Will surely decide that all such laws
are in conflict with the Fifteenth Amend
ment Of the Constitution of the United
States. and consequently void.
We think, therefore. it would be risky,
of the negro vote by any such device as
this. If our Constitutional Convention
should adopt the Mississippi LAW, or the
Louisiana law, or the South Carolina law,
or the North Carolina law, the
chances are that it would not be long
before the Supreme Court Of the United
States should say that the law was void
and the work would have TO be done over
again In the meantime there is no know
ing what embarrassing complications might
arise.
Some time ago we expressed the opinion
that the requirement of the payment Of
I taxes, including State and county capita
tion taxes, for a considerable period be-
fore an election would Of itself be a suf11-
Client qualification to eliminate the great
majority of ignorant and vicious voters.
we are confirmed in that opinion by a
conversation had yesterday with Mr.. ].
e. Williams, prominent citizen OF the
State OF Arkansas, who was for some time
a member of the State Senate, and who
has for years been officially associated
with the politics of that State. Mt. VIII
liams saws that they have an election law
In Arkansas similar TO the Virginia law
That Is TO say, they have the Austraiian
halo; system, and the voting machinery is
ouite tho same as ours. But there IS tnss
important difference: In Arkansas II Is
required that each eiector presenting nm
SELF at The polls must, before voting, eA-
hsbii receipt showing that his poii iaA
has been paid. In order to prevent ANY
fraud these tax accounts are issued by the
auditor to the sheriff. and Ihe.sher.n is
required 10 make returns TO the treasurer.
Each selector. in presenting himself at the
oo,ls. passes over his poll tax receipts TO
the judge. and the judge stamps the re-
.,e.p. and returns 1t TO the elector. 10 be
rod us occasion may arise at other cleo
ions held within the year. Mr.. Williams
sass fha, the great defect in the Arkan-
sas election system Is that there IS no
registration. Again. the poll tax must be
Maid only about three months before the
election. and he thinks that 1t would be
much better Il the period were made long
e.. say as much as twelve months. But.
n s;,:te Of these defects. he says the Law
8, s been most successful in getting rio Of
me negro vote. and that he = quite sure
thas 0A1ssas ~ nesroes foeussax Syotsa