Evening star., 1901-06-28
Virginia Convention Working on the
New Constitution.
PROPOSITION OF 4 W0MAI
Cnticises Whites and Blacks and
Wants Suffrage.
. T II E r B q S n E S S


RICHMOND. Va, June 2S-The consti-
tutionaI convention met promptly at noon.
President Goode presiding. Prayer was Of
fered by the Rev. DIR. w B. Beauchamp
of Broad Street Methodist Church. Sena-
tor Daniel offered resolution. which was
adopted, directing the secretary of the con-
vention to purchase such books and pamph-
lets containing the franchise clauses of
other states. and those on which decisions
had been made by the Supreme Court OF
the United States for the use of the COM
mittee on elective franchise Other resolu-
tions were offered as follows:
BY Mr.. KendaH-Placing the care, control
and expense of the public schools In the
various counties and cities of the state un-
der the patrons of the schools. The white
schools to the whites and the black
schools to the negroes
BY Mr. Misunderstanding for the cleo
ton of all judges by the people and for
holding office during good behavior
BY Mr.. Notwithstanding that the
members of the convention are not ohcers-
BY Mr.. O'Flaherty-Guarantee the
right of religious liberty to all persons.
BY Mr. Blair-Making it obligatory upon
property holders to return correct lsts VI
property for taxation
BY Mr. Summers-Reciting that for many
years board appointees for the government
of the state institutions had been or a po-
litical complexion. placing lile coltiol VI
such institutions under the control "t poll
ticians and providing that such appo1ntees
shall be divided among the two dominant
political parties of the state
womnn's Views.
Mr. Summers also presented a resolution,
saving il had been prepared by lady,
though he did not agree with Its express
sions 1t recited that I'VE regret the folly
of the United States government in confer
ring the right of suffrage on the ignorant
ex-slave and forcing him upon the helpless
former master political equal, and at
ter a third of a Centurys experience hnd
him untitled TO execute the trust imposed
on him. and further that We the white wo-
men of Virginia, must in truth and humil-
ity admit that the white man has been
more recreant to duty than the eE-SlaVe;
that after exercising the right of suffrage
for a hundred years, We find him de-
based, STOPPING to the lowest methodS IN
elections to accomplish his ill-timed ends
by fraudulent legislation and most cor
rupting uses. or frequently holding up
stolen goods to the public in triumph as
trophy of his prowess, until Virginia cleo
torate IS looked upon by the world as an
electorate of ignorance and ballot-box
thieves. and whereas the women OF Viz
ginia pay one-tenth of the taxes of the
state and frequently support their hus-
bands and sons while the latter are drink
Ing such fluids that would kill the higher
order of animals, chewing what the goat
terminate vermin. and keeping such hours
that produces pigmies instead of men, and
whereas there Is not enough moral courage
in either white colored electorate to pass
moral. religious wholesome laws, and
whereas there is a problem more serious
and dangerous that man can't solve and
women can, and now in Virginia 1t is the
white womans burden, therefore:
Resolved, That every white female citizen
of the United States twenty-one years old
who shall have been resident of this
city or town In which she shall offer to
vote three months next preceding any cleo
tiOn shall be entitled to vote and hold Of
fee"
BY Mr.. Summers-AbOlishing the Office Of
lieutenant governor and imposing the duties
of presiding officer upon the senior mem
bers of the senate.
BY Mr.. ggleston-PrOviding for a state
superintendent of public institutions who
shall exercise general supervision over
all hospitals. asylumS and prisons and man
age the financial affairs of such institu-
tiOns
By Mr. Epps-Providing for a property
qualification OF $3.50 as a prerequisite to
voting, and cor voting viva voce
Mr. Ayers offered. and the convention
adopted. resolution providing for keeping
the state library open daily from to 6
o'clock.
Mr. Glass. from the committee on print
ing and reporting reported q resolution d.
rectins that the secretary of the conven-
tlon purchase one dozen sets of the com,
IHdtlon of the constitutions of the several
states made for the New York convention
1or the use of th" several committees TO-
Rethcr with copies OF the constitutions Of
South Carolina and louisiana