Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-09-28
THE CONVENTION.

mittee to the Constitutional Conven-
ton. 1t wss signed by Messrs. John
W. Daniel, H. G. Stuart, VIM. A.
Anderson, Wood Bouldin, Francis l..
Smith and Thomas w. Harrison. Ac
compsnying the plan designed to regu-
late the suffrage Of the Safe was an
exceedingly lengthy paper. giving the
reasons of the minority for the action
taken.
Senator Daniel expressed exceeding
resret that il had been thought best to
make minority reports. he said he did
not presume that either plan would
receive the unqualified support OF the
convention, but earnestly hoped that
harmonious conclusion could be reached
after due consideration of the material
Doiots of both 10 maoy respects the
two plans we're similar, and the efforts
of ali members had been directed to-
ward framing a suffrage clause tina;
would rebound to the best interests OF
the State now and hereafter.
The minority report says: "The
fifteenth amendment TO the Constitution
OF the United States provided that the
right of suffrage shall bot he denied or
abridged on account Of race, color or
previous condition Of servitude. Any
pIan which we recommend must be
within the limitations of this constitu-
tionsl mandate. At the same time, we
possess a varied population located
with diverse surroundings, and thus
oonfined by constitutional limitations to
a restricted sphere OF action. We have
prepared the article which we believe
will deal constitutionally and justly with
the suti sct OF suffrage, AID place the con-
troll of affairs in the State in the hands
of those who have abiding attachment
to, and community OF Interest with, the
whole commonwealth, and who have
The intelligence and character to guard
it's interests IN safety.
The majority and minority plan
concur in many particulars. The article
which the minority recommends pro-
yides the following qualifications for
the voter: That he be- q male citizen,
81 years OF age. resident 10 the State two
years, 10 the county or city one year,
and In the voting precinct 80 days. Pay
meut by him at least six months prior
to the election OF the poll-tsx of one
dollar and half for the year
preceding the first election In 1903, to
which it is to be applied; and after that
time requires that all poll-taxes for
every preceding year which shall have
become due and payable under and by
virtue OF this constitution shall have
been paid.
That he shall be registered as may
be provided by law. Fifth-Thst II
registered after the adoption ofthls con-
sttution and prior TO January l, 1904,
be shall have heretofore served in time
of war in the military or naval forces OF
the United States or of the Confederate
States, or Que OF the States OF the
Uoited States, or to be able TO read any
section OF the constitution OF this State
submitted TO him by the repatriation
officers, or to understand the same when
read to him, or 10 give reasonable ex-
PLANTATION thereof, or he shall have paid
TO the State taxes for the year proceed
ing that In which he offers to vote as
much as 81 on property owned by and
assessed against him.
All citizsns registered under the fore
going qualifications continue to be cleo
tors g long as they maintain the quail.
fications required under this article, and
are free from its disqualificstions, and
they are not required to make spplica'
ton in writing to be registered, and
may be aided in preparing and deposit
ing their ballots when these pro-
visions come in force hereafter. After
January /, 1904, the reading or under
standing or explaining any section OF
the Constitution of the State are
dropped, and every person not pre-
viously registered under the foregoing
provision must, in addition to the
qualifications OF age, residence and pre-
payment OF poll-tax, make application
for registration in their own hand
writing, and must prepare and deposit
their own ballots without aid from an.
other, unless they have served in time
of war or are blind or physically dis
qualified.
The sections in which Daniels plan
differs from the majority report follow:
II registered after the adoption OF the
Constitution and prior to January /.
1904, he shall be:
ID A person who has heretofore
served in time OF war in the military or
naval forces of the United States or OF
the Confederate States or OF one OF the
States OF the u nited States; or,
(2) He shall be able to read any sec
ton of the Constitution of this State
submitted TO him by the registration
officers, or ne shall be able to under
stand the same when read to him, or
to give a reasonable explanation there
Of; or,
(3) de shall have paid to the State
tax 8 for the year preceding that in
which he offers to vote as much as 81
on property owned by and assessed
against him.
Sec. 2. All citizens registered under
tbs foregoing provisions Of this con-
stitution prior to January l, 1904, shall
continue to be electors so long as they
possess the qualifications prescribed
thereby, unless they shall come under
some one it's disqualifying provisions,
and may be aided IN preparing aud de-
posting their ballot by q person of
their own selection 10 the presence OF
the judges Of election; provided, that
not more than five such voters shall re-
ceive such aid from the same person at
any election.
Sec. 3. After January /. 1904. every
male citizen not previously registered
under the foregoing provisions OF this
constitution except as herein provided
shall, in addition to the qualifications
as to age, residence and poll tax, make
application for registration in his own
Handwriting. as NAV be nrnYiied BY