The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-17

because of color, race, etc. the same
Constitution. III the second clause of
Art. XIV, plainly indicates that its franz
el's recognized the right of the States
TO abrdse, or even TO deny. the right TO
vote for causes not referlble to race or
color. etc, or to participation in rebel
lion or other crime. and that they con-
templated that this right would be eN-
erciSed, for that clause says: But when
the right to vote at any election. etc. is
desired TO any OF the male inhabitants
of such State, being twenty-one years OF
age and citizens OF the United States. or
in any way abridged. except for partici-
patton in rebellion other crime. the
basis of representation therein shall be
reduced etc. 1t will be observed that
the language is When the right TO vote
is denied or in any way abridged
etc. This language would be inapposite,
could not be predicated save of an eX-
listing right on the part Of the States TO
deny or abridGe without limitation the
right to vote, SO that the inhibition, with
regard TO race, etc, be not encountered.
Now Their is a CRYING demand among ali
right-muded men that, i'll the exercise
Of this unquestionahle power. the con-
Neution should 50 restrict the right OF
suffrage as 10 eliminate the purchasabIe
vote and 10 put an end TO the shameful
practice of barterins in the pishest inn
munities of frecmcn-mmuuftic so sac
redly guarded in the days that are past.
but which, according 10 modern methods.
arc bought and sold with as much sang
froid as Il huckSter would hawk a hen III
the market-rlace.
\. a candidate for Office meets s. a
voter, and for 4 consideration secures the
promise Of his Vote. Z SAYS: Il viii worl:
for you. but | cannot afford TO lose my
time fer nothing. You must give me
something for that; and they drive a
bargain. In q day or two Is meets G,
who is q candidate for the same Office.
and makes with him u similar arrange
ment Now ''honors are even and L: does
not knew where to put his. vote or in
Iluencc. | say that such men ought not
to be allowed 10 put them anywhere. But
It is said that this is politics. / have
never been able to understand how false
hood and treacIery are any more allow
able in politics than in ones personal
transactions.
From corruption in politics the way is
not long 10 corruption liz ones private
transactions. .lfaclis descensus ayerni"
If these tendencies are not arrested
they will naturally and inevitably result
not only in debauched politics, but III
debauched morals. until our whole politi-
cal. social ana business autonomy must
BECOME transformed and degraded and
depraved.
la the appointments of Christianity and
civilization no State can rise upon the
corruption Of its people. How them Shall
I'VE get rid of the Objectionable element
referred to? / think q large part OF it
would go, upon requirement for the pre-
payment of a prescribed capitation tax
several months in advance OF an election.
and
penalties either directly or indirectly by
any candidate to be voted for at such
election or by reasonable property
qualification, or perhaps an educational
one. such as that the voter should be
required to write intellisibly his own bal
lot with suitable exceptions in favor OF
those who had rendered military service