The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-24
SUNDAY. FEBRUARY "A. 1901.
soMEcoNsrITUTIoNAL history

Those who contend that the new Con-
stitution. soon TO be framed, should be
submitted for ratification to such per-
sons as under the new Constitution Will
be qualified to vote employ as an arsu-
ment that every Constitution framed in
Virginia from the beginning has been
thus submitted.
That statement and that argument re-
ariire some calculation Under the Con-
stitution of 1776 the suffrage was most
restrictive, being practically a freebooter
suffrage. 1t was provided that every
male citizen of adult age tother thar
free negroes, nulattoes or such as re-
fused assurance of fidelity to the Com
anonwealthD possessed of twenty-five
acres of land with a house twelve feet
square on it, or of fifty acres of land
unimprored, or a town lot with a like
house on it, and having in the land
an estate of freehold at least was quail
flied to vote and none other.
In 1929 another convention to revise the
Constitution was held and a Constitution
framed. which contained the following
suffrage clause:
Every white male citizen of the Com
monwealth, resident therein, aged TWEEN
ty-one years and upwards. being qualified
TO exercise the right of suffrage accord
ing to the former Constitution and laws:
and every such citizen. being possessed,
or whose tenant for years, at will or at
suffrage. is possessed. of an estate Of
freehold in land Of the value of TWEEN
ty-fre dollars, and SO assessed to be If
any assessment thereof be required by
law; and every such citizen. being pos
sessed. as tenant in common, joint tenant
or parcener, of an interest in or share of
land. and having an estate Of freehold
therein. such interest or share being of
the value OF twenty-five dollars, and SO
assessed to be il any assessment thereof
be required by law; and every such cit
izea being entitled TO q reNerSlon or vest
ed remainder in fee, eNpectant on an es-
tate for life or lives. in land of the value
of fifty dollars, and SO assessed 10 be II
any assessment thereof be required by
law; each and every such citizen. unless
his title shall have come TO lin by
descent, devise, marriage or marriage
settlement, having been SO possessed or
entitled for six montts); and every such
citizen, who shall own ana be himself
in actual occupation OF a leasehol6 estate,
with the evidence Of title recorded two
months before he shall offer to vote, of
"a term originally not less than five years
of the annual value or rent of twents
dollars: and every such citizen, who fol
twelve months next preceding has been d
heusekeeper or head of a family within
the county. city, town. borough or cleo
ton district where he may offer to vote
and shall have been assessed with u par.
of The revenue of the Commonwealth
within the preceding year. and actual.
paid the same; and no other persons shall
be qualified to vote for members of tn,
General Assembly in the county, city
town or borough, respectively, whereii
such land shall lie, or such housekeepe.
and head of u family shall live And j.
case of two or more tenants in common.
joint tenants or i,arceners. in possession
rercrsion or remainder, having interes
in land, the value whereof shall be insult
ncient to entiiie them all 10 vote. the
shall together have as many votes as til
value OF the land shall entitIe them to
and the Legislature shall by law proyid
the mode in which their vote or VOTE
shall be in such case be given: Provide,
nevertheless that the right of suffraE
shall not be exercised by any person
unsound mind. or who shall be pau
er. or non-conmissioned officer, 50
der. seaman or marine. IN the servi'
OF the United States. or by any pers
convicted OF any infamous offence.
Here WAS an enlargement of the rig
Of suffrage. set when it was proposed
submit the Constitution to the vote
thereby qualified to vote, John Randolp
Of Roanoke. bitterly opposed it. He poin
ed ont that. although delegates from
parts OF the State were sent to the con