The Washington times., 1901-07-13
TO Save THE NEGRO Vote.
A Far-Reaching Resolution Intro
duced at Richmond.
Delegate PedigO's Plan to Prevent
Disfranchisement in Virginia-The
Trend Toward Economy ArOusing
the Old Dominion Politicians.

RICHMOND Va, July 12.-The Const-
tutionaI Convention got to work at noon
and ninety-two members answered to
their names President Goode presided.
prayer being offered by Delegate (tsev.
Dr.) Dunnaway, of Lancaster County.
Delegate Pedigo, Of Henry, a Repubi-
can, offered a proposition looking to
prevention of the DISTINGUISHING OF ne
groes, by providing for a reduction of
representation in the General Assembly.
The resolution. which was referred to the
legislative department instead of the Suf-
frage Committee, is as follows:
Resolved, That representation in the
General Assembly shall be apportioned
among the several counties of the State
according to their respective numbers,
counting the whole number of inhabitants.
But when the right to vote is denied to
any Of the male citizens twenty-one years
old and not convicted of crime, the basis
of representation shall be reduced in the
proportion that such male citizens bear
to the whole number Of male citizens in
the several counties"
Mr. Mundy CRepublican). of BotetOurt,
offered 4 proposition making it a misde-
meanor for any person to pay the poll
tax Of a voter, imposing u fine of $500
period of five years.
BY Mr.. Parks-Empowering telegraph
companies to construct and operate lines
along the public highways and to provide
for a single proceeding to construct line
along a railway line.
BY Mr.. Fairfax-To create n State tax
mmission-consisting of the Governor
Auditor, and Treasurer and three other
persons to be elected from the State at
Iarge-whose duty it shall be TO annually
adjust and equalize assessment of taxes
for all species Of property.
Secretary Button laid before the con-
vention reports from the various courts Of
the State as to the number of cases be
gun and ending for the past year. The re-
port was ordered to be printed for the
use of the convention.
I'm my opinion the province of a con-
stitution is to frame a form of govern
ment and to prescribe the duties of each
department 1t should be restrictive in
it's nature and not assume legislative
powers"
With this introduction Attorney Robert
/. Parrish today appeared before the
Finance Committee in opposition to the
Braxton resolution, providing for the
placing OF tonnage tax on all ores and
mineral products.
Mr. Parrish is the first attorney that
has appeared before any of the commit
tees in the interest of a particular client
Today he represented the Low Moor iron
COMPANY, who have furnaces in Ale
ghany County.
He said that not a single iron furnace
has been established in Virginia since
the boom DAYS. when palatial hotels
and electric plants were built in the
woods and now stand as silent monuments
to the folly of their promoters"
Mr.. Parrish said that the iron interests
Of Virginia already pay a tax on their
mining property and that to impose 4
tonnage tax on the output would be I'M
posing a double duty.
The Judiciary Committee today, a1teF
the adjournment of the convention, took
mn the question of the jurisdiction OF the
Sunreme Court of Appeals The com
mittee at first reported that the present
regulation should be changed. Ioday'
however. by a majority vote, the propo-
sition submitted by Delegate Smith, which
conforms to the provisions OF the present
constitution. was taken up for consldera-
lion From present indications II looks
&c II there will be but little change in
tba Jurisdiction of the highest court in
the state. although Messrs. Mereulth'
Rraxton and Gordon have several propo-
sitions to submit.
Threats OF political retirement are be
ine, made against members of the Constl-
Hfional Convention by the office hold
ing rings" in many counties OF the state
They are being warned Ehat II the pIoP-
os'ition to cut down the number of State
| offices succeeds. it viii mean the political
| suicide of all those supporting such a
measure So desperate have many OF lle
offlce-holders become that they nave IN
several instances resorted to intimidation
and threats.
A member Of the convention today re
| ceived "A letter from a county scho0I SUI
| nerinteudent in which the following lang
| uage is ssed. Il understand that ycu are