The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-12-01
Aaosber Suffrage Plan.

Editor OF The Times;
Sir.-Thc suffrage question seems now
to be the paramount issue IN inc soaisu-
xutioIal Convention. in fact this ques-
ton was the prime cause OF the State
cailtar convention to change the Con-
ssitution OF our state.
Now that our Representatives arc get
tifr down hard at work on this subject.
they VIII, no doubt soon formulate some
plan that will he adopted. and the same
20 be, a new clause In our. Constitution
! when It Is declared the Constitution OF
our STATE It seems TO me, OF all the
plans suggested and formulated by
N4ssrs. Braxton, Glass. Daniel, Thorn
and others. none Is what We want: and
should any one OF them be adopted, We
win. In some future day. be ashamed OF
J that clause.
Senator Glass plan. TO my mind. IS the
best Of any presented. and am in hopes
that. while he is enjoying his quiet resi-
ct home In Lynchburg. he will pun II 70
| pieces aud cast some Of it in the FIRE ana
1 not take any more snapshots at II. p 'l
make a good sitting and add What ne
Eets,f from that sitting to what Tei!iaihs'
put IL In GOOD gilt-edge frame ana pre-
4 sent 1t to the Constitutional Convention
next Tuesday night.
All OF them are striving 10 incorporate
too much in this clause. Talking about
derstand what they are giving us! VINO
wants the grandfather clause? Who
x-s,,,s the understanding clause? have
q plan that beats any have read or
heard Of, and 1t can be put in a nutshell,
and Is constitutional. too.
The power to vote is a. privilege &C.
corded TO every. male citizen who has at
tanned onto twe1ity-one years of age, pro-
vided the suffragamt has complied with
~ Sot,c mn CT fYI.{ a ~
Constitution when such a one is voting III
a. State election.
A citizen Of our State who does not pay
his poll-taX should not be allowed to vote,
and If he be iliterate and incapab BILE OF
voting intelligently a. ballot given him.
not being able to distinguish between
candidates for the same office. without
assistance, he should be debarred from
the right to vote. Now, the conditions
and stipula,icns of the suffrage clause
should be:
Z. The prepa yn1ent Of a poll-tax to the
State, not less than a dollar. and such
payment to be made not less than six
months previous to the election at which
he offers his ballot; when a ballot Is hand
ed him by him who has in charge the
baliot-box. he should be required to read
4 aloud. II he can do this and has paid
his poll-tax. as above described. he can
two requirements. he Should not vote.
2. Every citizens vote is of value. and
lie who pays little or much taxes receives
for such payment a statement from the
tax-collector. showing the value OF his
property on which he pays his tax.
5. Ballots should be printed with a
large J.. 2. 3. 4. at the top to represent
values. and when a citizen offers to vote
II an election and complies with the first
fprn nd IN, al 70, I,e off
GERS Of the election that he is paying
taxes on. say, 5000 worth Of property.
let him vote Ballot No. s. or as the
values may be graded fixing. though a
maximum of value. Every citizen should
be allowed 10 vote one ballot-No. 1.-if
he complies with above conditions, when
no property valuation is claimed.
You understand that he who votes No
5. as named above. that vote counts ), SC,
&c . a,-s4
The man who does not vote on account
of these restrictions should he be required
to pay taxes? Why. certainly. Does he
not live under the protection OF orr laws
and enjoys all the privileges of any other
citizens?
hope that some of our statesmen can
make something out of these thoughts
and make them III legal form and Ian
EuaEe and let US have the new Constitu-
ton. and stop their liarangUe aud the
enormous expense to which they are
bringing our State. ]. Il. HALL.
4 Sllla nd Va Nov 9th