Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1901-05-08
JUDGE T. w. HARRISON TALKS
The Work of the constitutional
Convention Discussed by the
Winchester Candidate


interest of his paper, sends the fol.
lowing interview from Winchester to
the News:
81 am opposed to every scheme of
Acknowledgement so far as heard
from, said Judge Thomas w. Har.
risOn, who has been nominated for
the constitutional convention from
this city.
Judge Harrison is circuit Judge
and formerly served in the Senate.
He is recognized as Que of the ablest
lawyers In the State, and his views
regarding the constitutional conven-
ton will be read with interest all over
Virginia.
1.-The Acknowledgement of the ne
gro would be blow TO the democrat.
ic party in the State" he added, "for
/ see no way of doing it without dis
franchising with him a great many
white men.
'"In this section the negroes flock
to the towns and the young ones read
lily learn to read and write. while
many Of the poorer classes of white
children remain out in spareley set.
tied districts and have no opportuni-
ties for schooling. An educational
clause would cut out many honest
men and many more intelligent than
some of those who would be permit
ted to vote. 1t would also cut out
the old-time darkey, while probably
letting in an inferior type of his race.
l believe in allowing every honest
male citizen over twenty one years of
age to vote.
81 do not believe in a property
qualification, for it would shut ont
many of our young men who have
plenty of talent and intelligence, but
whose lives have just begun in the
matter of acquiring a competency,
and who have, as matter of fact. no
real property. In times of war we
do not stop to require either an edu.
cational or property qualification.
1--WE tried the poll tax and it was
repealed. While it existed Malone
ruled the State, and though he re-
pealed it, the democrats gained by
the operation. It WAS never an APP
preciable source of revenue"
When asked regarding any propos-
ed methods OF revising the judiciary.
he said:
Il believe it would either be better
to decrease the circuit Judges from
eighteen 20 twelve and give them bet
ter and uniform pay with work
enough to fully occupy their time, or
to increase the circuit Judges and
abolish the county courts, giving
criminal jurisdiction to the circuit
courts and remanding fiscal and road
matters TO the county supervisors.
"a great saving can also be made
to counties by change in the Jury
system. Any case over $40 can now
be tried by a jury of twelve men at
cost of something like $50. 1t costs
- per day for Juror and about S.
to the officers for keeping a court
open. l would give the judges dis
erection to reduce the jury to seven in
all cases of contract.
"In criminal cases favor allowing
the Judge to fix the punishment where
the accused pleads guilty or valves
jury"
I'm regard to charters" continued
Judge Harrison, "there is a provision
IN the Constitution of West Virginia
that prevents the Legislature from
granting special charters. Any set
VI persons can get charter by filing
certificate and paying the taxes to
the Secretary of State They must
then conform to the general incorpo.
ration law Every under this
plan is on an equal footing and the
Legislature is not taxed by lobbyists
endeavoring to get special favors. I
believe in such provision and then
the Legislature could give it's time to
general Legislation.
Il also favor a provision such as
other States have which prevents gen.
eral legislation from being rushed
through without the members under.
standing its purport, and in the clos
ing hours of the session.
81 also favor a constitutional pro.
vision - he oo11 4