Evening star., 1901-09-26
THREE SUFFRAGE PLANS
PRESENTED TO THE VIRGINIA con-
sTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
Democrats Will Hold n Caucus Next
Week to Try and Reach
Agreement.
Special Djspatch to The Evening Star.

Special Dispatch to The Evening star
RICHMOND. Va. September 2j. - The
long-expected and much-discussed suffrage
plan was presented to the convention to-
day The Thorn plan represented the ma
iority. The present suffrage clause will
be presented by the republicans. while Del
egate J. c. wysor of Pulaski offered his
individual report. The essential features
of the various reports are:
The Thorn plan-Divding the votes into
three classes as follows: Old soldiers, who
are exempted from poll tax; payment of
80 taxes to the state, and employment
for three months, and an understanding of
the duties of the offices for whom suf-
fragists desire to vote. Either of the three
qualifications will permit the right of suf-
frage. County and city boards of regis
tration are provided for After 1901 voters
are to prepare In writing applications for
registration. and to prepare and de-
posft ballots without assistance. The poll
tax of $50, however, is to be paid by all
except old soldiers at least thirty days
prior to election. These conditions are to
be perma This was signed by twelve
members.
The Daniel plan provides for poll tax of
S1-50: all voters offering to register shall
be able to read the constitution or under
stand or give a reasonable explanation of
any section when read to them. No prop
erty qualification is required. The under
StandlnS clause Is TO OBTAIN Only IOT enc
year after the adoption of the constitution.
In other respects the plan is similar to
that offered by Mr.. Them. Senator Daniel
said he would present his report tomor-
row.
Delegate Wysor of Pulaski dissented from
all the plans. presenting the fourth report.
He provides for poll tax of 80 on the
present voters to be paid six months prior
to the election. The future voter must
pay the poll tax and be able to read in
English the present constitution and write
his name. Negroes are not eligible to any
office. Voters are to choose any man to
mark ballots for them. The legislature is
empowered to enact additional require
ments for voters in city and county cleo
tions. The plans were read. ordered printed
and will be considered in democratic
conference to be held next week.
Mr.. Meredith presented a resolution pro-
viding for the custody of children during
the pendency of divorce suits.
On motion of MIR. Moore of Fairfax the
convention resolved itself into committee
of the whole. Consideration of section
of the report of the legislative committee,
providing for quadrennial elections of
members of the general assembly, the
pending question being the amendment of
Mr.. Harrison of Frederick, providing for BIZ
ennial elections.
Delegate Parks of Page, member of the
legislature, defended the legislature, though
he saw no necessity for biennial sessions Of
the general assembly.
Delegate Wise of Richmond followed He
favored the holding of biennial sessions.
DR.. McIlwaine closed the debate. He sad
there had been too much talking already.
Members were as well prepared now at
any time. Debate from now till Christmas
would not change a single person.
On motion of Senator Daniel and by
unanimous consent, the question of sessions
and elections was divided. the first vote be-
ing on quadrennial elections. The vote was
Il ayes, A noes, the substitute to provide
for biennial being lost.
The next was taken on the DrODoSi-
tion to hold quadrennial sessions of the
legislature, the amendment to provide for
biennial sessions being rejected.
Section 3, requiring the election of all
members of the senate at the same time as
members of the house. was adopted. drop
ping all hold-over senator's.
Mr.. Blair of Wythe moved to have the
election of state officers and members of
the general assembly held at the time of
presidential elections. This amendment
was defeated. , ,...-
Section 4. dealing with apportionment,
was not considered by the committee
Section 5. prohibiting any county city
or state officer from serving in the gen
eral assembly. was adopted. Capt. Parks
of Page moved to strike out commonwealth
attorneys, making them eligible for men,
bership. The amendment was defeated
The committee rose at 40 o'clock after
adopting nine sections of the report as sub
mitted- Mr.. Glass of Lynchburg offered a
resolution directing the committee on elect,
i've franchise and qualification for office to
report an ordinance empowering women to
qualify and discharge the duties of notary
public. ~
The committee education has ordered
favorable report the proposition cut
ting off all state appropriations for insit-
tutions of learning not wholly under the
control of the state. An exception was
made as to William and Mary College, Will
lfamsburg. by leaving the matter in the
hands of the Legislature.
The committee adopted recommendation
Of Delegate Pollard of Richmond taking
the state library from the control of the
secretary of state and placing the library
under the board of education and to allow
state schools to have access to the books
and documents, the library to be kept open
day and night.
The sum of $4,000 is now available for
new books. and it is understood that this
sum will be expended for modern publica-