The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-09-02
for acceptable ideas.
State II patented.
THE PATENT RECORD,
Baltimore. hid.

ensure and render stable rights of prop
erty.
Every citizen is equally interested in Sc
curing the first object. The life, liberty and
happiness Of the poor. the illiterate, or the
black man IS just as precious to him. be-
fore the law and in the sight of God. as
is that of the rich and educated white
man. In this respect. each is entitled to
an equal voice. 1t is not wholly true
that the black mans interests will be full
ly protected always by the white mans
suffrage
But with respect to property-interests
the above principle does not apply. Not
only is it true that the man without prop
erty IS moro or less Indifferent with re-
spect to business and property legislation
and that he does not take the same pains
to inform himself as to the policies which
will best facilitate and improve business.
but sometimes the jealousIes and envy, to
which our fraiI human nature is too prone,
will lead those of US who are without
property to support measures injurious to
those who have ii. without stopping TO APP
ply the golden rule. 1t Is certainly not
unfair then to allow property as well as
personal interests to be represented by the
ballot.
The plan desire to propose is based upon
The above principle Can sSg-e be any
reasonable objection to Constitutional
| provision to the effect that every citizen
| of the State not under disabilities. wheth-
| er white or black, educated or illterate.
shall be entitled to at least one vote: and
| Furthermore that all voters possessed OF
more than a certain designated amount of
| property upon which they have paid taxes.
| shall he entitled to two or more votes (as
| is deemed besN? The grading OF the voting
| power in soma sort of proportion to the
| taxable property owned is not essential.
| though such a provision might greatly as
! ~ = n r.
| Ing the honest payment Of taxes, The
| essence of the plan proposed is to give
| those who possess more than the amount
J OF property designated more than one vote
| Gndeed sufficient to overcome all danger
| OF negro cOntroN.
| The following benefits would result from
| the adoption OF this plan:
! ~ The right to vote in any election IS
denied to nobody. nor is 1t in anv degree
| abridged and therefore the provisions of
! the fourteenth amendment do not apply and
/ the States representation in Congress and
| the Electoral College cannot be reduced.
t f2l This plan cannot be pronounced I'M
! constitutional so that there Is no danger
/ Of the expense and confusion incident to
| such q declaration.
| c2l Upon 4 proper adjustment of the
! suffrage. the state and every county and
| city IN ii will be secured from negro dom
/ nation without giving either the negro or
/ the white man the SLIGHTEST cause to com
| Main Of Injustice All excuse for frauds
/ in the election returns will be removed.
/ % Every voter white or black. rich or
| noor. educated or iIiiterate. will be af-
/ forded an equal opportunity 70 cast one
/ ha1I0t 10 protect himself and his against
| threatened violations OF the right to life,
/ liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
| m Property rights will be given adj
| 5i+foraI protection AMI n desirable ele-
| ment of conservatism will be introduced
/ into oar n".it:cs. 1t would tend TO en-
( courage the immigration OF persons OF
( propectr.
I Fl II would tend to lessen bribery and
+ corr1nt practices in elections by making
/ the pucehasable vote less valuable 1t
! would also tend to lessen the power and
/ Influence Of the political machine. which
( rests largely upon the illiterate vote. and
i 10 attract into political life better and
{ btrra, class of men than many OF those
+ now engaged IN it.
I n, The tnSid,ous and dauraro:Is "edu-
( c,tforal qualifications would be elimi-
q, pa.sons will he induced to pay taxes
/ IN their proparty who do not row do so
/ et,o,,r1 there be n grading of the voting
| -orya- IN some, sort OF ratio to the prop
| e-ty- taxed. this result would be much
| nora naTked.
ON q, the other hand the disadvantages OF
~. -, corr tn he few arT inF-ra t,'ial
! consisting mainly in an election system
| 1f.tra more cumbersome perhaps than the
nresert. and even this might probably De
No one is dlsfranchised under this plan
Ar5 " in anv case freedom from the fear
- negro domination should so strengthen
Tho Republican party IN the State as 70
carsa II to win an election the large in
sf,~ of the respectable white vote neces-
earv TO produce that result and the desire
80 tha leaders to remain in power would
certainly suffice OF itself TO prevent any
;;,as-o rule IN other words. the orepond-
e-ance OF the white vote would be too
,,-eat to admit OF the Republicans depend
i,s ,rnon the negro vote TO win They
would have TO play for the respectable
white vote.
TFfs communication IS already too long.
b,t in conclusion cannot refrain from
lvnrassine- the hope that sufficient time
asta~ fha election OF delegates TO the
convention will he allowed before the body
assemblies to admit Of their making
caraful study of all the conditions as well
as the theories that will confront them.
Three months interval would hv NJ, means
be roo 'eng. X q M. .>s