The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-12-18
D R. M'I.LWA.IN { TONIGHT

}OoSSlPs
The Democratic Conference on the suf-
frage heard an. eloquent and able argu-
ment from Capt. R. S. Parks last night.
The plan introduced by him proposes y
cumulative poll-tax and an educat ional
qualification with heavy penalties for
bribery or fraud. Captain Parks based
his argument on the declaration that Vir-
gina was suffering more from debauchery
and corruption Of a large class of white
voters than from the simple fact of a
large body of negro voters. He thought
the poll-tax qualification would eliminate
the negro vote, and the educational quail
fcation, coupled with a rigid enforce
ment of the section against bribery and
corruption, would eliminate the purchase
able white vote, or insure an honest bal
lot
OPPOSED TO BOTH
Captain Parks very strongly opposed
the understanding clause, as, we'll as the
grandfather clause, and declared that
the Confederate soldiers did not ask for
any law that exempted them from the
obligations of citizenship that was not
imposed upon all.
He went very fully into the demoraliza-
ton which had ensued from fraudulent
election practices, and contended that
Virginia would never prosper until the
practice of purchasing votes in one sec
ton, or fraudulent administration of tho
election law in another, was broken up
root and branch.
Captain Parks was loudly applauded at
the close of his splendid address On &C
count Of the sickness Of Mr.. Moncure
who had submitted a suffrage plan. Dr.
McIiwaine will address the conference
tonight in support of that plan.
discussion
night over a resolution introduced by
Mr.. Meredith, that the chair appoint q
committee OF three to present to the con-
ference on January Sd a list Of questions
to be voted on as to what principle should
be embraced in q suffrage plan. This
was opposed by Mr.. Thorn and Ma ior An
derson, who said it simply meant q dis
charge of the Suffrage Committee, which
had been appointed by the convention for
a specific purpose; that the members of
the committee had not yet had an OPP
pOrtunfty to reply to the attacks made
upon the report by patrons of other
plans submitted to the conference. Tho
conference had no right to thus shut off
discussion and delegate to a committee
of three, appointed by the conference, the
duties that had been So laboriously per-
formed by the Suffrage Committee No
action was taken on Mr.. Merediths reso-
luton but it will come up again tonight.
The Committee on Corporations de-
| voted yesterday afternoons session to
| consideration of a section of the article
! on corporations requiring the Legislature
| to make provision for the publication Of
| the financial status of those corporations
| whose operations had reached a stage
| of development or existence which in
Dictated that it was being used to create
a monopoly or 10 suppress competition.
| After much discussion the section was
| rejected by vote Of six to three. The
committee will hold its next meeting in
the Supreme Court room Thursday after
noon at O'clock to hear argument
| from, a delegation of bankers, manu-
facturers and merchants in opposition
| to articles heretofore adopted by the
| committee in reference to the amount of
| cash capital invested in the organization
| OF a corpora ton.
| The Finance Committee heart, argu-
| ment yesterday afternoon from represen-
tativeS of the Virginia Medical Society.
who asked that 9. section be Incorporated
in the Constitution prohibiting the I'M
position Of a franchise tax on physicians.
Very able and instructive arguments
were made oy DR.. ]. Beverly DeShaZo.
of Ridgeway, chairman OF the State
Medical Society Committee on Legsla
ton; DR. Landon e. Edwards, secretary
of the State Medical Society; Drs. George
Ben Johnston, William S. Gordon aa'i !.
Allison Hodges. The resolution was re-
ferreG to tie subconlm. Ltee appointed to
draft a section relating to franchise taxa
ton.
There are two prominent members of
the convention VINO are likely to go on
the bench if the proposed new circuit
system finally prevails They are Judge
G.. Taylor Garrett, OF Mathews, and Hon.
Robert Turnbull, of Brunswick. The jul
dicial attachments of the former lave
been tested by long experience on the
bench, and the latter ranks as one of the
ablest lawyers in Southside Virginia.
They are deservedly popular in their
respective sections, and can have almost
| anything they may desire at TIE hands
of their people.
Captain R. s. Parks declared in the
| course of his suffrage speech before the
Democratic conference last night that he
| would never vote to submit the new Con-
! stitut.on to the present electorate for
ratification or rejection. lie Cid not say
| what course he would pursue further
| than this. There does not seem to be
| much prospect of the present electorate
voting upon the proposition.
| The convention Committee on Priv1-
leges and Elections met yesterday after
noon to consider q primary election law
| proposed by Judge Quarles, and to hear
| an argument from him in support OF the
! same \ quorum could not be obtained,
| and the committee will endeavor 20 meet
| this afternoon.
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