The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-19
Probable Candidacy of Judge Keith
and Mr.. ElIyson.
RICHMOND TO HAVE A PRIMARY.
Some Opposition Is Manifested to
This Course, but 1t Will Likely
Be Adoptcd-City Chairman
Gordon Is Candi-
date for tho Com
ycntion.

Since the adjournment Of the General
Assembly, giving the newspaper man
time to stop and think. he realizes one
very striking fact. 1t is, that there Is
very strong sentiment against a provision
in the Constitution which shall operate
to disfranchise all negroes who vote at
present.
Another fact, scarcely less apparent,
is, the politicians do not like GO be quoted
as occupying this position.
Senator George W. Morris, of Char
lottesville in a speech in the Senate last
week, declared, with utmost emphasis,
that he did not want every negro dis
franchised simply because he was a
negro He said he was much more
anxious to see the electoral franchise
taken from the purchasable class of the
white voters than from the better class
OF negroes.
His speech was not commented upon in
the public debates. but it created much
comment and is still being discussed out
side OF legislative circles. One of the
best known men in Richmond said yes
ierday he was greatly impressed by the
printed report of the speech. He de-
clared the sentiments expressed therein
were his, and further averred that they
were held by the majority OF his ac-
quaintances among the rank and file of
the Democracy. Tho suggestion that the
new Constitution contain educational
qualification, with the alternative of a
property qualification. is popular in some
quarters. Senator Glass, in Il strong
speech in the Senate, declared that prop
erty as we'll as people should have
voice il framing new organic law.
Probably all the foregoing tends TO
show that the white men of Virginia are
the true friends OF the negroes.
The probable personnel of the Cohstitu
tional Convention is now interesting the
people of the State. The disposition so
generally shown to send up the best men
To be found is still everywhere manifest.
Unless all appearances are deceptive, it
VIII he a convention worthy of Virginia,
ana a worthy link in the chain of con-
vcntions which have periodically amended
the organic law of the Commonwealth.
There is quite a general desire to have
Judge James Keith, president of the Su-
preme Court of Appeals, in the conven-
ton The provision in the Constitution
against a member of the Supreme Court
holding another office of public trust may
disqualify Judge Keith. It depends upon
whether a seat in The convention is IAN
office of public trust within the view of
the constitutional provision. ] is thought
that there is not in the entire Common
wealth a man better equipped for the
duties devnlving upon u delegate than
Judge Keith. 1t is perfectly true that the
convention will be clothed with ample
power to make Judge Keith eligible to a
scat.
The probable candidacy of Hon. ]. Tay-
lor 1Illyson for a seat in the convention
from Richmond also eXcies interest. He
sad to a Times writer yesterday that he
had not decided whether he would run.
He has been urged to do so. 1t is be-
licyed he will consent to be Il candidate.
Mir. lllyson has very closely studied many
of the questions which Will arise in the
convention. and would make a most val
uable member
The candidacy of Hon. Il. Carter Scott,
of this city. attracts interest for several
reasons. In addition to being eXcellently
equipped for the duties OF such a place,
there are other reasons. Mr.. Scott's
Ercat-grandfathcr was a member of the
celebrated Constitutional Convention OF
lS29-'2o His grandfather was d member
of the convention which framed the Con-
stitution CT 1850, and also of the convention
which adopted theSorlinance of secession
in 1861. His father was n member of the
convention which framed the present
Constitution. 1t is but natural that the
fourth of this race of Constitution build
crs should desire TO follow in the foot
steps Of his fathers.