Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1902-04-04
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION,

A compromise suffrage plan has
been agreed upon.
1t is as certain as anything in the
future can be that the new Consti-
tuition will be proclaimed. Between
fifty and sixty of the hundred MEM
bers of the Convention have de-
clared their intent ton of voting to
proclaim the completed Instrument
the organic law of the Common
wealth without submission to the
people.
The majority of the members of
the Committee on Final Revision
and Schedule appear to be in favor
of the Convention taking a recess
when it has disposed of the suffrage
question, and TO reassemble after
about six weeks and pass upon the
work of the committee. Not only
that, but an opportunity would be
afforded the people to hold meetings
throughout the State and to take ac-
ton looking to the proclamation of
the Constitution. From all that can
be learned there is a growing senti-
ment in favor OF having the Con-
Vention proclaim its work.
THE SUFFRAGE PLAN.
The full text of the suffrage clause
of the new Constitution was printed
by the Dispatch recently. For the ben
eft Of those who have not time to
thresh out the provisions of the law
from the verbiage in which it is
clothed, the following abstract is
printed:
The qualifications of voter are:
A voter must be male, 81 years old
or over,'a resident of the State for
at least two years. of the county or
city at least one year, and of the pre-
cinct for thirty days prior to the
election in which he offers to vote.
These are general qualifications.
Operative after January /, 1904,
is poli-tax prerequisite to suffrage.
After that date the applicant for suf-
frage must have paid his poll-tax for
the year or years next preceding, not
exceeding three.
There is to be a general registra-
ton of voters in the year 1902, and
another six months later. Such a
registration as provided for above
shall be had at least once in every year.
Any person who offers to register
shall be:
First, one who has served in armv
or navy; or, second, the son of per-
son so serving in army or navy; or,
third, a person who has paid to the
State taxes for a year preceding,
amounting to not less than one dol
lar on property owned by him, or,
fourth, one who can read any section
of the Constitution submitted to him.
aud give a reasonable explanation of
same; or, if he cannot read, he must
be able to understand when read to
him such section, and, if required,
give a reasonable explanation of same.
Any person registered under any
of the provisions just enumerated
shall remain permanently enrolled
as a voter, unless disqualified by
crime or insanity, etc. Any person
denied registration under the pro-
visions enumerated shall have the
right of appeal to the Circuit or Cor
poration Court.
After January /, 1904, any person
otherwise qualified to vote as pro-
vided, and not previously registered,
must, as a condition precedent, to
registration, have paid all poll-taxes
assessed or assessable against him for
three years next preceding; or, if
newly become of age, ne must pay to
the city or county treasurer $3.50 in
lieu of first years poll-tax, and shall
make application in his own hand
writing, stating age, residence, par
ents' names, length Of residence in
State, date and place of birth, and
place of his former residence for the
two years preceding. This must be
done without aid unless he is physic-
ally disabled. He shall further be
required to answer, under oath, any
pertinent question relating to his