Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1901-10-24
THE PROPOSED lNI0UlIY.

THE PROPOSED INI0UlTY.
If the Constitutional Convention is doing
no wrong and has indicated no purpose
to do wrong, why do the Democratic
speakers, candidates and newspapers feel
constantly called upon to defend the con-
vention? The newspaper reporters have
cent out the news that Mr.. Montague, the
Democratic nominee for Governor, few
days ago in his speech at Fincastle devo
ted one hour to defending the Consitu-
tional Convention. We find Major An
derson, who is the candidate for Attorney
General on Mr.. Montague's ticket, also
devoting large part of his speeches to
defence of the convention.
The Lynchburg News, in its leading ed
itorial of the 18th inst. says: whatever
criticism may await the work of the Con
stitutional Convention, no man will be
able to say that, after assembling, it was
managed in the interest of the Democratic
party" We agree with the Newe in the
result of the work of the convention, but
not in the motive or spirit which has intiu-
enced the Democratic members of that
body. The declaration of the News lie
made to show its conviction that the con-
vention has been a non partisan body.
This conclusion is toU absurd to be accept
ed as true by even the most ignorant
Democrat, much less by the intelligent
editor of the News.
Everybody, who is capable Of thinking,
knc VS. that the convention was called into
existence for the sole purpose of giving
the Democratic party power in Virginia.
Before the question of having conven.
ton was submitted to the people it was
carefully considered and debated in Legis'
lative caucuses, in the Democratic press
and at all gatherings of party men. The
primal question was, how will it affect the
interests of the Democratic party? 1t was
settled that the party welfare would be
promoted by a convention. The conven'
ton was ordered and the party machinery
was used to make the question carry with
the people.
Since it assembled every step taken by
the Democratic members has indicated
their determination to make it a partisan
gathering. The officers were chosen in a
Democratic conference, though nine-tenths
of the members were Democrats and a
caucus was, therefore, unnecessary. All
important measures that have been intro
duced have been likewise submitted to
Democratic conferences. The Democratic
members of the Suffrage Committee pro-
ceeded to frame the proposed suffrage
laws without the assistance of the Repub-
lican members Of the committee, aud the
latter never saw the reports until they had
been agreed upon by the Democratic
members who signed them. The majority
report of the committee on elective fran
chise recommends suffrage law that is
the moot iniquitcus ever suggested in any
State. 1t proposes to place every possible
obstacle in the way of the poor and litter
ate man to exclude him from the polls.
We know that the Democrats assert that
it is not their purpose 10 disfranchise any
worthy white man. But careful reading
of this proposed suffrage plan will disclose
the fact that there is no discrimination in
favor of the white man in its workings.
The Instructions it places between the
voter and the polls are:
lst. A poll-tsx qualification Of $3.50
End. A property tax qualification of
$1.OO. .
3rd. An understanding clause, which,
if honestly enforced, will dIsfranchise one
half of the white voters in Virginia.
We all know what poll.tax quali6ca'
ton is. There was once such thing in
Virginia; and it is well remembered what
a hardship it was upon the poor man. 1t
DISTINGUISHED thousands of white men