Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1901-03-16
Candidates Cards.

To my Fellow-Citizens of Accomacb
have been asked by a number oil
my friends, il | was a candidate 70
the Constitutional Convention from
Accomack county. l therefore take
this method OF answering. would
esteem it a very high honor to repre-
sent this county in that body; and Il
the people of Accomack think thai
/ am worthy and qualified to repre-
sent them, and choose to elect me to
that position, 1 will willingly serve
| have favored a Constitutional Con
vention ever since the matter wat
FIRST agitated; and voted for 1t, when
it was defeated, some four or Ave
years ago. l have also had some ex-
perience with constitutional ques-
tions, both in legislative and judi.
cial capacity. l gather from the
papers, and from intercourse with
the people OF other sections of the
State; that the persons who aspire to
be member of the Convention, will
not, in most cases, enter into warm,
personal and political canvass for the
position; but that the people will be
left untrammelled to make their own
selection. But however anxious l
might be to make personal canvass
of this. county, 1t would be a physical
impossibility for me to do so. begin
the regular spring terms of my court
on Tuesday, March 18th, and will hold
court every week till after the cleo
ton, except the week commencing
Sunday, the 28th of April, there hap
pening to be five Tuesdays in that
month. 1t would be absurd for every
candidate for the Convention to have
his own individual platform; but l
think 1t only proper, for any man
who aspires to be member OF that
body to tell the people some of the
changes he favors. l therefore give
briefly my views as to some OF the
changes which | would favor, were l
honored with a seat in the Conven-
ton.
LIST. | favor a constitutional dis
Establishment of the colored vote;
but would allow all white men to
vote without any property or educa-
tional qualification. Excepting, OF
course, minors, convicts, &c.
2nd. favor a separation OF the
white and colored school taxes. The
taxes paid by each color, to be solely
applied to the support OF schools OF
that color.
3rd. favor fewer elections. There
should not be more than one year,
federal, State or local
4th. favor a combination Of some
OF the existing offices in the small
counties. Say with population Of
1000 and under combining, for in
stance, the offices of sheriff and
Treasurer, in such counties.
9th. l am opposed to the leasing or
selling OF the natural oyster rocks OF
the State. | favor the placing OF such
a prohibition in the Constitution.
They should be held by the State for
the benefit Of all her citizens.
9Th. / am willing that the work of
the Convention shall be referred to
the white voters for ratification. l
can not see why about 10000
colored voters should vote on
the question OF their own disfran-
chisement. In opposition to the work
of the Convention there would be
this solid vote; the vote of the ele-
ment originally opposed to the Con.
vention, or any change at all; and at
least some corporation opposition.
These elements combined would pro-
badly defeat any new Constitution
at the polls; would render null the
work OF the Convention; and entail
upon the State, the large expense at
tendant upon holding the same.
These views might, and probably
would be modified slightly, after
conference with the members. No
one man can expect to get everything
that he wishes. In conclusion, | re-
peat, that if the citizens OF Acco-
mack, knowing my views, honor me
by selecting me to represent them
in the Convention; l will willingly
serve; and to the best of my ability
try to protect their interests and
maintain the standing and dignity
of this old county.
am very respectfully,
}. w. q. Blackstone.
Accomack G. H., Va, March II, 1901.