Richmond planet., 1902-03-29
DEMOCRATS Agree
On SUFFRAGE.
A PECULIAR PROPOSITION.
A Fight On The Understanding
Clause.
NO WHITE MAN TO BE DISFR ANCHlSED BIT
TER LANGUAGE BY MR. MEREDITH.


THE Democratic members of the un-
constitutional Constitutional" Con-
vention have been holding daily confer
ences for the purpose of agreeing upon
a suffrage proporsition.
The ,contending elements have at
times indulged in bitter language and
personal conflicts have narrowly been
avoided.
The point of contention has been
what is known as the understanding
clause. This provided that any person
may become registered voter, who is
able to read any section of the Constitu-
ton and give a reasonable explanation
of the same.
GOULD BEGSED ON WHITE VOTES.
While this clause was inserted in ord
er to bar out illiterate colored men, it
could be used dwith equal effect upon IL
hterate white ones, provided these
white men were not in sympathy with
the dominant wing Of the Democratic
Party.
Hon. Charles v. Meredith of Rich
mond city made one of the bitterest and
most impassioned speeches OF the entire
session ON Monday last.
He offered plan leaving ont the und-
erstanding clause, but the Daniel Glass
faction succeeded in winning a tempo
rary victory and providing for q vote on
all propositions Tuesday at IL A NJ.
MR. MEREDITH is BITTER
Mr.. Meredith argued against the
compromise plan. He declared that
some ones name should be attached TO
it so that the shame and disgrace of it
should be fixed for all time. 1t could
not be called the Glass plan or the Thom
plan, although Mr.. Thorn had succeed
ed IN getting into it what he wanted. IL
should be called the Daniel plan because
it was born soon after Senator Daniel
came back TO the convention.
Senator Daniel retorted: Nobody is
shirking responsibility or claiming
credit. / take my responsibility as do
all others here, and there is no necessity
TO go hunting for u.s."
Chairman Ayres called Mr.. Meredith to
order, but he remarked that he was not
surprised at men from the mountains
surrendering to men from the East.
SURRENDER, NOT COMPROMISE.
They had been trained to il for gem
erations, and in calling surrender,
a compromise had, az usual, given up
their rights when, by sticking out they
would have won.
They should not even listen to the
Argument on the other side. He de-
clared that the Daniel plan was muir
dering the integrity of the state, and
the blame and shame of jt should not
be placed on members from the East,
but it must be fastened on the members
! from the mountains
Hon. John Goode was thoroughly
aroused and replied with impassioned
GESTURE and forcible language.
DIDN'T INTEND TO BE Personal.
The next day Mr.. Meredith disclaim-
any intention of being personal to
enator Daniel or any one else. The
fact remains however, that he had car
ried his point, for the conference By a
majority vote of reversed itself Co the
extent of making the understanding
clause operative until January /, 1904,
and struck out the proposition giving
the legislature the power to submit
proposition to the people as to whether
or not it should be continued.
1.-THE plan as adopted is as follows:
1t provides that a citizen must pay
his poll-tax six months before the elec-
tion at which he offers to vote.
WORD ABOUT THE PoIL-TAX.
This section does not go into effect
until January /, 1904. 1t applies to
white and colored alike.
After that time the poll-tax cannot be
collected by distress warrants or other
wise until it is three years past due.
The poll-tax is not to be paid by any
person white or colored, who has served
in the army or navy of the United
States or of any state during the late
civil war This leaves out those who
served in the Spanish American War.
1t provides for general registration
of all voyers during 1902.
The following can register:
All persons or their sons who have
served in the army or navy Of the Unit
ed States or the Confederate States
This includes colored men who served
during the Spanish American War.
THE PAYMENT OF TAXES.
>ly person, white or colored who shall
paid state taxes to the amount Of
ssSr~.s x. a. Il