Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-07-03
THE CONVENTION.

The convention had another very
short session yesterday and on account
OF the heat carefully abstalned from de-
bate.
The leading question OF the day. both
in convention and committee, was the
suffrage. The committee was engaged
10 debating the numerous resolutions
for several hours, and in the convent
ion A. Carter Braxton presented the
most important aud sweeping paper 30
far prepared. The propositions before
the committee In the main related 10
the poll tax as Q means OF restricting
suffrage and to viva voce voting, escn
being strenuously urged.
]. a. Lindsay, Of Charlottesville, de-
clared that the people expected the
convention to disfrsnchise % many
negroes and as few white men ss pos
sible; that the Anglo.Ssxon race pro.
posed to rule Virginia, and the great
question for the convention to decide
was how to do it.
Ex-Congressmsn ]. B. Richmond, Of
Scott, made a bold speech, in which ne
warned the committee against the dis
franchisemsnt OF the whites. III you
do this.n said he, "you will never re-
pret it but once, and that will be on the
day OF election" He held that the
whites 10 the Southwest would resent
any attempt to deprive them OF the
right to vote 10 q manner the demo-
cfats would not forget soon.
A number OF the members spoke IN
favor of the educational and military
clause. but no determination was
| reached. The retrenchment and re-
form committee decided to reduce ex'
penses considerably In the executive
departments of the State and the work
of preparing specifications will begin OIL
once. 1t is likely that some OF the
offices will be consolidated and the
salaries of those who hold others re-
duced.
The finance committee discussed the
resolution taxing the output Of mines
and also the question OF assessing min
eral, timber and farming lands. A sub
committee was appointed and requested
| to bring In a written report.
In addition to its sixteen committees
the convention appointed one on sgri'
culture and manufacturing.
The suffrage measure presented by a
G., Braxton provides an entirely new
system OF suffrage, and his Influence II
the convention makes 1t matter O.
more than usual Importance.
1t provides that every male person
resident OF the State the required time
shall Of born since the first day OF Jan
sry, 1870, IL assessed for taxes 10 thii
State, with not less than 500 In rs
sessed value OF property counting botf
real aud personal, in his own name o.
as the beneficial owner thereof, ant
who at least six months prior to sucl
election shall whether born prior o
subsequent to the first day
January, 1S4W, have paid in full al
poll taxes and all personal prop
erty taxes, assessed against hin
by the State or by any county or mum
cipality thereof, prior to the day O
payment, and after this constitution
goes into effect, from the payment Q
which taxes he shall not have bee
therefore legally relieved, and who
prior to such election, shall have com
piled with all valid requirements OF tn
registration laws, shall be entitled t
vote for members of the General A.
sembly and for all officers elected b
1.-THE people, provided that poll tax
| So per year and no more shall be levie
by the State upon all male inhabitant
over twenty -one years OF age and o
further poll tax shall be levied. Tn
secret ballot is provided for elections q
now, but the bill specifics that all elet
tions by the General Assembly or b
persons acting in a representativ
capacity shall be yivi voce. and the vot
shall be recorded on the Journal Q
record OF the election. Itprovides tbs
only white persons entitled to vot
shall hold Office, and that no perso
having less than three.fourths whit
blood shall be regarded as white.
The concluding portion OF the bi
requires all members OF the Generf
Assembly and all others, executive an
judicial, to swear to support the Cor
stitution OF the United States.
Mr.. Pedigo. republican, offered
measure providing party emblems o
tickets for guidance Of the unlettered.
A resolution was offered by Mr.. Vir
cen. that no license shall be granted fo
the sale OF intoxicating drinks In tn
aforementioned places within tw
miles of any church or schoolhouse. Ut
less he-applicant's petition be signe
by the majority OF the white citizen
living In said district.
Mr.. Hooker offered resolution ths
the public roads of this State shall b
maintained and repaired by taxation
and that the board OF supervisors OF an
county may. for the purpose OF adm
the county in bearing the expense OF re
pairing the public roads and in openin
new roads in that county, increase tn
poll tax in said county not exceedin
fifty cents, but in no case shall tn
poll tax exceed In any one year 81 o
each poll,
1t was said last night that the retrenct
ment committee is considering the ad
visibility of abolishing the offices OF sec
rotary of the commonwealth. secon
auditor and lieutenant governor. The
also contemplate reducing the salary
the governor, who only receives S. .0O(
and will make an attack on the fee
OF constables and the pay OF juror
The program embraces sweeI
ing reforms, which will spread disma
throughout the state.
RIOTS IN MExICo.-The public
much excited In the City Of Mexic