Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-03-15
FRIDAY EVENING. MARCH 10. 1901

the constitution CT Inc stats Oh miesie
sppi may be summed up as follows:
A convention was called there, elected
by popular vote, and assembled during |
the summer OF 1900. On the 1st OF Nc
vember, 1900, the new constitution was |
adopted and promulgated. On the sub
iect OF the election franchise there were
two important provisions: First,
to be a qualified elector one must
have paid all taxes which have been
legally required of him for the two pre-
vlous years, and the payment must
have been made on or before the lst
day of February OF the year In which
he offers to vote. II he owns no prop
erty, he must pay poll tax of at least
two dollars if he desires to vote. Inc
poll tax is not lien on property ex'
empt from taxation, and as very few
negroes own more property than is ex-
empt, as to them, its payment 10 purely
optional. These provisions are legally
applicable to both races, but experience
has shown that the effect is to curtail
very considerably the negro vote. Yet
they are clearly fair and just provisions
and they tend to confue the suffrage to
the industrious and thrifty citizen,
though he may be comparatively poor,
and they shut out the idle and worth
less class who pay no tax whatever to
the State.
The second provision limiting the
suffrage is that the elector must be able
to read section OF the constitution oil
the State, or, if he cannot read, he
must understand 1t when read to him
or be able to give a reasonable interpre'
tation oft. This provision was framed
by the late Senator George, who was a
member OF the State convention and
who contributed very largely to shape
the new constitution. A great hubbub
was made over the new constitution in
the republican press OF the North, and
when the Congress met, the constitution
was assailed by number of the repub-
lcau lawyers OF that body. Mr.. George
made a full and elaborate reply to these
orators, demonstrating completely that
the constitution was fully sustained by
the State constitutions of New Eosland
and other Northern States and was
also in entire conformity to the federal
constitution. He completely silenced
the opponents and critics OF the new
constitution. None of them has since
even attempted a reply. The clause
principally assailed was what Is known
as the understanding" clause, but To-
vestigation has shown that more blacks
than whites have registered under it.
Ia the case of Williams We. Mississippi,
decided by the U. 8. Supreme
Couri, the court by a unanimous
vote sustained the validity OF the
Mississippi constitution In respect OF
suffrage and decided that 1t did not con-
Alct with the federal constitution.
The poll tax of s2-imposed on every
voter is appropriated by the constitu-
ton to the common schools exclusively,
and the negro gets his full share OF the
fund and more. 1t is almost his only
contribution to this fund or to the ex-
penses OF the State government.
At the time the new constitution was
framed, in 1890, the white population OF
Mississippi was 5S7. 127, and the blacks,
744,749-s black preponderapce of 2O7,-
622. The excess, or majority, of black
votes, according to the customary
ratio, must have been over 10000. This
was truly formidable problem. But
the result has been complete removal
OF the dangers and mischiefs OF negro
domination, an establishment OF white
rule, and an era Of peace, order and
progress, not known in Mississippi
since the close of the war between the
States. Law and order are now the
features of the new life in Mississippi.
With such an example OF perfect sue
cess in dealing with this grave ques-
ton, it would seem to be wise in the
members OF our approaching State con-
vention to study carefully the example
of the State of Mississippi. II they
should follow Its example they would
be reasonably secure against having
their work snnulled by partisan gu
prsms Court, which we know on all po-
itical issues is but too apt to be iufu-
enced by the republican politicians.
The new State constitution contains
many admirable provisions on other
subjects, which probably puts it ahead
of any other instrument OF the kind In
this country. Hardly any man of the
South has since the war rendered such
great service to his people ss the
modest. learned aud upright jurist,
James u. George, whose hand is visible
In this grand work. He has passed to
his final rest, cut the good he did lives
alter him to bless bis people.
BOTH branches of the Maryland leg
islature have passed the bill to restr ct
the suffrage of the ignorant. vicious