Evening star., 1901-06-19

of the colored schools shall be based upon
the amount of taxes paid by the colored
population. If that were adopted 1t would
mean practically no education for the ne
gro in many communities, for the negro in
Virginia pays but a small proportion of the
taxes. Under existing law the school funds
are distributed according to the attendance
of pupils, without regard to color.
New Plan Originated by Massey.
1t is a subject of comment that the di-
vision plan should have been brought for
ward from Charlottesville, the home of the
University of Virginia and the seat of the
greatest institution of learning in the
south. Yet, the late John E. Massey made
this the issue In asking election to the
constitutional convention. and won on 1t.
The Charlottesville people say that Mr..
Massey's great personal popularity, aside
from that question, was largely account
able for his election. His successor. Jas.
II. Lindsay, is not so radical, although
not a friend of unlimited education of the
negro.
l believe that today there is a majority
in the constitutional convention opposed
to the plan of division of school funds on
such arbitrary lines. Certainly, many of
the most influential and prominent dele
gates in the convention will resist 1t. Sem
ator Daniel will fight it; the leading news
papers of the state are bitterly antagonts-
tic to it, and 1t is safe to say that the best
element of Virginias citizenship, as shown
far and wide in the expression of sentt-
ment, will be displeased if this thing is
done.
There is great uncertainty about the
question of the restriction of suffrage. In
doubtedly a dominant faction in the con-
vention desires some action in this direc-
tion. but to what extent shall the amend
ment go? That is where the delegates part
company. Property and educational quail
fications mark the limit of the cOnserva-
tives. Others would go further and con-
tinue the suffrage to the iliterate whites,
while refusing it to the illiterate negroes.
This would be done through the familiar
''Grandfather clause" One proposition
advanced goes to the extent of enfran-
chising any person who has borne arms in
the service of the United States, 'or of
any state" That. of course, Is intended
for the ex-confederate soldiers. and would
include persons who may have emigrated
into the state from other southern COM
munities since the war.
Delegates Opposed to the Oath.
The leaders in the constitutional con-
vention are still more firmly determined to
prevent, if possible. the requirement of ad-
ministering the oath to delegates. Up to
this time they have successfully resisted
all efforts in that direction. They claim to
be acting under a precedent set by the le-
publicans in 1868 The Underwood cOnsti-
tutional convention of that year was @alled
by General john NJ Schofeld, United
States army, commander of military dis
trct No. 1. When that convention as
sembled the motion to require the delegates
to be sworn was tabled. The action was
reported to General Schofield, who ap-
proved, and directed the convention o pro-
ceed without the administering of the
oath. Thus far there has been no division
In this convention upon the question The
subject has been shelved each time It was
presented without any one being put on
record. The form of the oath, as proposed
by Delegate Summers of Washington cOun-
ty, which he offered to the convention and
was referred to the committee on privileges
and elections, was as follows: 81 do solemn
ly swear that I will support and maintain
the Constitution and laws of the United
States, and the constitution and laws of
Virginia: that I recognize and accept the
civil and political equality of all men be-
fore the law, and that | will faithfully rer-
form the duty of delegate to the constitu-
tiOnal convention of Virginia to the best of
my ability. So help me Cod
That little clause, Il accept the political
and civil equality of all men before the
law is the sticker.
Answer to Alabama.
This is the answer sent today by the con-
ventiOn 20 the greeting of the Alabama
consttu ional convention yesterday: THE
commonwealth of Virginia. through her
representatives in convention assembled,
sends cordial greetings to the president
and members of the constitutional cOnVen-
tion OF Alabama now sitting at Montgom-
cry.
alabama and Virginia have long been
bound together by the strongest and closest
ties of interest and affection. The people
of the two commonwealths are animated
by the same hopes and the same aspira-
tions In acknowledging the courtesy of
your message we beg leave to express the
earnest hope that in the wise and just de-
termination of the momentous question now
under consideration We may not only eS-
tablish the peace and prosperity of our re-
spective states, but contribute to the gem
eral welfare of our common country, and
the good of mankind, thus justifying the
confidence of our constituents and the rea-
scnable hopes of our countrymen."
\. o. VI.
THE CONVENTION REASSEMBLES.