The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-03
Camm Pattcson's Plan.

Editor of The Times:
Sir,-Thc solution of every difficult
problem is always aided by intelligent
discussion. 1t is with modesty that l
venture to propose the following clause
under the new Constitutions:
Every male citizen of Virginia, who
is OF sound mind and twenty-onc years
OF age, who has not been convicted on q,
charge of felony or petty larceny. and
who has resided in the State for twelve
months preceding the time, and i'll his
county or city six months before he
offers to vote, shall have the right to
vote: provided, first. he must be able to
read and write the English language: or
second, he must cwn and list for taxation
two hundred dollars worth of property,
real. personal. or mixed; but these two
provisions shall not apply to soldiers or
sailors who served in the Confederate
army or navy nor to the lineal male des-
cendantS of such Confederate soldiers
and sailors nor to the ineal male des-
cendants. without regard to race, color,
or previous condition of Servitude, of any
soldiers or sailors who served either in
the war of the United States of America
with Mexico. nor the Civil War between
the States of this Union. either as Con-
federate soldiers or sailors or as soldiers
or sailors of the Union army. nor the
soldiers and sailors and their lineal male
descendants who served in the recent
war with Spain. 1t is further provided
that the capitation tax of all male citi-
Zcns without distinction must be paid
a. least ten days and not later before
any election. to enable them to vote.
This clause seems 70 me to obviate
some of the difficulties which surround
the situation. 1t one MS the door to the
same thing practically the grand
father clause to which I do not object
upon principle, but I fear that it is I'M
constitutional. 1t is undeniaby true
that it lets in a very Objectionable class
which, however, is small, but I have
been unable, after careful reflection, to
find any other means to avoid making
the clause unconstitutional. The clause
which l present makes no distinction OF
races or classes, and l feel absolute
confidence that it will secure white SUI
premacy which is the object Of Il vast
majority of the white citizens of Nir-
ginia. So far as I know there We're few.
or no negroes in the Mexican war, and
not many from Virginia in the war be-.
tween the States of this Union, and but
few in the war with Spain. 1t will he
noted that the clause also eXempts and
relieves a very large class, mainly white
people, from either an educational or a
property qualification, leaving upon them
only the just and proper burden Of a
prepayment of the capitation tax. l
suggest, MIR. Editor, that you open your.
columns for suggestions on the subject:
of the franchise. It's seems to me that
this would be of great aid in reaching a
satisfactory solution of this difficult
problem which is of such supreme and
commanding Importance. The grand
father clause, standing alone. I think,
is unconstitutional. and I think the
clause which / present avoids this diff
Guilty because it makes no race nor class
distinction.
CANINI PATERSON.
Sunnyside Flace, buckingham county,
Va, February ., 1901.