Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-04-01
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

The Constitutional Convection yes.
terday decided that the suffrage met
ter should net be considered 10 COM
mttee OF the whole, but taken up i'm
mediately 10 the convention.
The convention then began the con-
slderation OF the Glass suffrage report
This was submitted by Senator Daniel.
The republicans asked that their side
should he afforded q reasonable time in
which 10 discuss this subject. The
democrats, they contended, had this
matter under consideration for the
greater part Of 10 months. and
they thought it only just that
their opponents should be &C.
corded time 10 which 10 present
their views 10 the world. BY vote Of
81 10 20 the convention decided to go
toto the immediate consideration OF the
suffrage question. Senator Daniel open
d the debate for the democrats, but
bad not concluded his argument when
the body adjourned for the day.
Mr.. Pedigo and Colonel Summers,
the most active of the II republican
members, will make some bitter at
tscks upon the plan which the conVeD'
ton is to adept.
Mr.. Ayers offered resolution pro-
yding that the convention take recess
tIn Nav IA beginning April 3, 10 that
the committee on 6ual revision might
90 ahead with its work In the mean
time, but subsequently, withdrew IT,.
The sentiment expressed in the debate
Oh the proposition was that the conven-
ton will dispose of ell the subjects which
sre now pending for resembling before
the recess is taken. When these are
disposed of then the idea Is that the
mem bers can go to their constituents,
tell them what Is 10 the constitution,
which they will be asked to give their
approval by proclaimiug.
During his speech Senator Daniel ex'
planned that section L required the prepay
ment OF poll tax before voting for not ex-
ceeding three years to the time of voting, all
soldiers being exempted from the requisite Of
prepayment Of poll tax.
Section 2, he said, provided for general
registration Of all voters In which no person
should be registered unless he had been
soldier or son Of 8 soldier, or had paid taxes
amounting to "a much as 81 in property
owned or assessed against him the year pre-
ceding the year In which he offers to vote, or
he be able to read any section OF the Consti-
tuition, which may be submitted TO him by Of
deers Of registration and give reasonable ex-
PLANTATION of the same, or IL he could not
read, could understand and give . reasonable
exclamation thereof When read TO him be
explained that persons registered would be
placed on a permanent roll and would ever
after be entitled TO vote, provided BIO did not
become disqualified by crime or other cause.
He sa d the understanding clause was his
toric. having been adopted and used in other
States. and its administration would be had
in the open light Of day and not in corner,
and that it was based upon fundamental
principle of an iRtelligen, electorate.
senstor Daniel, in few further remarks,
explained that the understanding clause
would cease to operate after 19O3, ana 10 us
place would b test Of reading and writing,
and prepayment of poll tax for all new sp'
plicants Tor registration. Abiding to the
fact that no suffrage law had ever been de-
yised which entirely eliminated the posi-
bility of fraud, he said the suffrage provision
offered had as few opportunities for fraudu-
lent practices as in his opinion 1t was possible
for human ingenuity to construct