The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-06
JOHN GOODE.
The Old War=Horse States Plainly His POI
sitiOn,
Especial Dispatch to Tho Tlmes.)


Especial Dispatch to Tho TImes)
BEDFORD CITY, VA, March 5.-Hon.
John Goode this week formally an
nounced himself q candidate from Bed
ford county to a seat in the Constitu-
tional Convention. This is i'll the form Of
a letter to his friend, DR.. John S. Mitchell
a prominent Democrat of the old school,
in which he sets forth his views on lead
ing issues. The letter, column and
half long, was printed in the local papers
for the week.
Mr. Goode calls attention to the in
crease of interest rate on the State debt
the need of better provision for disabled
soldiers, and urges the abolition of UNI
necessary offices and reform in the judi
ciary system in cutting down expenses,
but as Yet has no plan to offer. Mr..
Goode regards the trust evil as bodins
serious consequences to the nation and
thinks Virginia should act promptly to
! control corporations. Ar. Goode, however,
does not state how this may be done.
Mr.. Goode says: LAS to the question, OF
suffrage l am opposed to the disfran-
cllisement of any white man and III navor
| of the elimination of iliterate negro suf-
frase as far as it can be done without
violating the Fourteenth and Fifteenth
Amendments Of the Federal Constitution.
After a careful examination OF AL the
decisions of the Supreme Court which
bear upon this subject, am entirely sat
isfed that by prescribing an educational
or property qualification for suffrage With
out any discrimination on account OF
race, color or previous condition of servi-
tude' with an exception in favor of those
who have rendered military service to the
State or country in time of war. we wall
accomplish the desired result without any
violation whatever of the supreme law
| of the land. If this suggestion should be
adopted, every man, white or colored,
! who can read or write would be entitled
! TO vote If he cannot read and write, but
owns property Of small value, say $3.50,
| he would be entitled to vote. If he cannot
read and write and owns nc property,
| but has rendered military service III time
| of war, or is descended from an ancestor
who has rendered such service, he would
| be entitled to vote. think the property
qualification should be adopted as an al
! tentative proposition. You and | both
| know some good, honest old colored men
respected by all in the community where
they live. They. are unable to read and
write. but by industry. frugality and
thrift have accumulated little prop
erty. submit that they are more en-
! titled to exercise the elective FRANCHISE
| than the smart young alecks or the col
ored race who have a little smatterlng
Of learning and are vain enough to be-
lieye that all wisdom will die with them.
! believing that the perpetuity OF our
free institutions depends upon the purity
! of the ballot and the fairness OF cleo
lions, I favor the incertion of clause
in the new Constitution providing that
any person convicted of offering OF ac-
| cepting a bribe at any election shall be
punished by fine and Imprisonment ana
forever disqualified from voting and
holding any Office Of honor, trust or
ernolument in this Commonwealth.
..When the convention shall assemble,
it will represent the sovereign people OF.
Virginia and subject to the limitations
of the Federal Constitution, its power
! will be supreme. It may submit its
work for ratification or rejection or 1t
may decline to submit it. 1 am in favor
of submitting the new Constitution to
those qualified to vote under its pro-
Visions
Mr.. Goode was a member of the Secs
sion Convention of 1861, and from his per-
sonal experience at that gathering and
HE long period of distinguished service
since that tine, he is considered by many
friends the proper man to represent
Bedford worthily.
The selection of Mr.. Martin P. Burks,
now professor of law at Washington and
Lee University, is urged in a communica-
tion from the county appearing IN Inc
Democrat.
Mr. Burlls is a man of such purity OF
ifa and such distinguished legal attain-
,nent that his opinions would have great
weight in the convention. As prominent
Republican leader puts 1T: In sending AR.
Burks to the convention, Bedford would
40 herself proud and render the State q
-reat service.
There are many other prominent citi-
.ens and politicians being urged by their
friends. Among these are: Hon. Graham
Clayton Commonwealths attorney and
state Senator: ex-senator II. c. Lowry,
Hon ]. Thompson Brown. Dr. c. a.
Board. Hon. II. S. West. Hon. S. N. Boil
ing, Mr.. j. Lawrence Campbell and Prof.
W. r.. Abbot. of BELLEVUE Il the agricul-#
tIral element should claim one OF the
representatives. it is probable that Hen.
W.P. Burks or Hon George r.. M:--reIis
v;H So seiected