The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-10-03
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
Doings Of and Sayings IN and About the
Great Virginia Body.

The convention did not hold a session
Monday, due to the lack of n quorum.
The Commits 20 on Public Institutions
decided to recommend the authorization
of the legislature To empower the state
To borrow as much IA $3.50, 900 for the
enlargement Of the penitentiary.
Judge Roger Gregory, the sitting mem
Der from Hanover and King William IN
the convention, is confident that he will
be retained in his seat against the con
tcstant, Marshal Morgan Treat
The subcommittee appointed To ar
range the districts think twenty-five
circuits and that number of Judges, eN
elusive of the coi porntion judges, will be
sufficient. II was ON this point that the
discussion tut ned
Mr.. Eugene Withcrs introduced reso-
luton directing the Committee ON Ne
counts and Expenditures to report as
early ~ possible resolution 10 reduce
the number of pages and committee
clerks. the plca being that there IL no
need for the services of the present force.
The report ON the Legislative Depart
ment was considered Subsection - Oi
Section - was the pending question. re-
parding the assessment and collection OF
taxes md the amendment by Captain
Parks. OF Page, providing Tor the pro
''ctiOn of sheep from dogs. The amend'
ment was adopted 10y an Overwhelming
vote.
Ex-senator John NJ. Thurston, OF Nc
hraska. Ex-Judge l.. l.. Lewis. of the
Com. of Appeals Of Virginia; James ii.
HAYES. of Richmond; J. {. Carter, OF
Houston: K. L. Armis,ead. OF ~ nchburg'
&. W. Kilgore. of Dauville; K. K. llorner,
of Warrenton, and J. l.. Parker. OF Po-
cahontas. the last six of whom are col
ored. is the array of counsel engaged to
It the constitutiOnality OF any sui
sraye law the Constitutional Convention
NAV adopt The counsel was engaged
br order of the Negro Industrial and
Educational Association. The basis OF
the test is that the convention was vold
of authority 10y reason OF its reiusa to
take the test" oath prior to beginning
its labors. and it j. held that the two
plans now pending-the Thorn plan, rec
commended by the majority, and the
Daniel plan. reported by the minority
are both unconstitutional and in direct
copAict with the Fifteenth Amendment
To the Federal Constitution.
The decision Of the negroes To test the
suffrage clause OF the new Constitution
creates no surprise, aud as the clauses
contemplated are almostexact duplicates
Of the Mississippi plan, which has been
tested in the supreme Court OF Appeals
md declared constitutional, there is little
apprehension that the enactment OF the
convention will be in any way affected.
THE DANIEL srFFRAGE PLANTS MAIN
FEATrRyS.
II reouires residence in the State two
years.
Poll-tax must be paid six months in
advance of the elections after January ],
1908.
The voter shall be able to read any
section of the Constitution, or ne shall
be able to understand its provisions
when read to him, if registered before
January /. 1904, or he shall have paid
81 in State taxes for the preceding year
After Js1uary /, 1904. the elector
must be able to prepare his own ballot
without assistance.
No distinguishing marks or symbols
to he printed upon the ballot.
List of those who have paid capitation
tax To be posted.
Boards of registration provided for
Persons who have served in time oi
war in United States or Confederate
armies exempt from understanding.
educational and poll-tax qualifications.