The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-03-16
HON. @. Q. TALIAFERRu OF ORANGE
His Views on Questions to Come Before
Constitutional Convention.
Nosons Va March II. 1901.

Nasons, Va, March II, 1901.
Messrs. g. E. Waugh, Wallace Jacobs, a.
l.. Gibbs. H.S. Waugh, Towles Terrill,
and Andrew Mallory;
Gentlemen-Y OurcOmplimentary favor
of the Sth instant in the Orange Observer,
asking my views ON the prominent ques.
tions involved i'm the Constitutional
changes which the delegates to beelected
to the convention should aim TO effect.
has been noted Permit me- gentlemen,
to say that the issues involved are SO
potent aud vital to the interests and
nrosperitv and liberties of our whole
state that il il difficult 10 summarize and
classify them all in brief letter
Under our republican form of govern
ment all government aud law he III the
people themselves, aud can only he de
termined by the privilege and right OF
suflrap,,-a free mans birthright. IL
therefore behooves us to so restrict and
guard this privilege that its exercise can
work no i'll to the body polite and the
interests of our whole people and state.
We have i'm our midst an alien race VINO,
freed by the exigencies oil war and AIDED
Inv sectional prejudice and factiOnal legls-
lation of the National Government, were
clothed with the privilege and right OF
suffrage We have seen with what dire
results To the interests, well-being and lib
critics of our own people, and weare now
called upon To So restrict their rights to
the franchise that they can never again
bring in jeopardy our liberties and pros
perity.
earnestly advocate that the negro, or
nlien race. shall be- required To possess
not only educational advantages To en-
able him to exercise the right of suffrage,
but n property qualification as well, ~
in the wisdom OF the convention may
seem best and wisest for all time to come.
But would violently and earnestly OPP
nose any restrictions or denial OF the
RIGHT of franchise to any white male citi-
zen of this Commonwealth of lawful age
and sound mind entitled to this privilege.
| should advise that our public schools
he organized and conducted III such a
manner that the greatest advantages
shall ensue to the race contributing ana
paying the largest proportion oil the
taxes for school purposes that all supur-
Huous offices connected with the schools,
both i'm the State and counties, be abolish
ed that the strictest accounting he re-
uuired for all moneys paid out 10y state
and counties for educational purposes To
the nroper officers in each county or city
tbnt nil schools for cOlOred children shall
be under the charge of ana taught by
white teachers that our judicial system
be reorganized so as to insure speedy
trials i'm all cases commensurate with
law. order and economy in all the courts
of the Commonwealth thereby lessening
the criminal expenses which have proven
so heavy a burden TO our taxpayers in
tbe mast that all public officers of any
and NIL classes he elected by the people ;
that all oflice-holders be held To a strict
accounting Of the public trust eonhded
to them. and be required To perform the
maximum of labor To the minimum
of Offices commensurate with their
salaries: that due regard and protec-
ton be extended to the farming and
labor interests Of the state to protect
them from the cOrmOrant greed and eX-
tortionate charges of trusts and com
hines of any and all classes; that all taxa
tion shall be equalized, and To that end
that nil tax or land assessors shall be
elected or appointed by and responsible
10 the Board of Supervisors OF each
county. ON whom the duty oiassessments
rests for raising taxes; that the term Of
offices. both state and county, be made
as long az * conducive to the interests
of the whole people to prevent too ire
onent elections that our convicts he as
signed 20 periecting and improving our
public roads and public works, and lastly,
that purity of the ballot and adequate
punishment for the vOte-buyer and vote
seller should receive earnest attention at
the hands of the convention.
These are but very lew OF the vital
questions which the constitutional Con-
yention will have to consider, ana are
respectfully submitted for your consider
alton and those OF the voters OF our
county. And having been hOnored IN the
past. should you deem me worthy. To
represent you in the Constitutional Con
vention. lwould esteemit an honor TO be
repaid only by mtiring devotion ana
energy in the cause OF my people.
Very respectfully your obedient ser
G. e. TalaierrO.