The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-25

Ills tnS dn lHlO eIlI1 LA 6S.',
where the molten metal runs in streams;
into our mines and forests, where the
pick and shovel, axe and saw, are heard
all the year round, and you viii find tens
Of thousands who are increasing daily
the material wealth and assessable values
of the State, yet lacking the property.
qualification or the educational capacity
{ to explain constitutional provisions about
which lawyers will differ. they are
good citizens, Industrious and laW-abld-
ing, but because they are so unfortunate,
whether from their own extravaganza,
the burden Of large families, or short
ness Of time. since attaining their ma
jority, it makes no difference, as not
to possess property assessed at r.o5. 80, or
more, and cannot explain any constltu-
tional provision which the registrar IN
the plentitude Of mis- power and the eN-
ercise Of his discretion may submit, they
are to be disbarrcd from the right OF
suffrage, branded as incligibles and rank
ed among idiots, lunattcs and 1elons.
So much, briefly, as to the wrong ana
injustice OF this report of the sub-con-
ferences of the Democratic conference
of the Constitutional convention. so
much for this act upon the part Of gen
tlcment high in favor in a party that has
always prided itself upon being the
party OF the people," that has boosted OF
being "the party CT the masses and not OF
h classes of equal rights to all, special
privileges to none.'
a party whose great strength has been
among the common people, and has
stood for the weak against the strong:
whose record is resplendent with its gal
liant battles and signal victories for the
extension Of suffrage to the masses, and
not the restriction of it to classes.
It is true an attempt is made to justify
this change OF front by alleging that
negro suffrage IS @ menace to Virginia.
A more falacious proposition could not
have been advanced. The time was when
in certain localities in the State the ne
gro vote was dangerous, but that time
has long since passed. The negro mas
virtually ceased to be a formidable po-
litica1 factor; and with q poll tax, and
making it's payment and the payment of
his personal property tax far in advance
Of an election prerequisite to tho Night
to vote, every thriftless, INDECENT and
unworthy negro would be eliminated
from the list Of voters and every COM
munity would be safely IN the hands OIL
the white voters. The cry OF negro SUI
premacy has lost its power, and it can
not be used to warrant the disfranhcise-
ment of worthy men by property and ull-
derstanding clauses. The protest of the
worthy negroes Of tho State may 1all
upon deaf cars, but the protest Of the
worthy, but poor and unlettered white
men and their friends-from Tidewater to
the nlountains-will be heard, and Woe
unto the party or men who mock at it.
Every worthy man who is DISTINGUISHED
and his kith and kin, will become the
mortal enemies of the party that took
his ballot from him. He will put forth
every effort to qualify himself, and when
he succeeds he will welcome the coming
of the day when he can wreak his vense-
>ance upon the party that wronged and
Inundated him.
Costly, indeed. to the Democratic party
will be the property and understanding
clauses. if adopted: they will sweep away
the negro vote as whilwind sweeps:
they will brew storm that will sweep
thousands of white voters-some at first
many yearly therea fter-into the Repub-
lican ranks. They will give the Demo-
cratic party a temporary advantage but
as the days of reckoning come the party
will discover it's mistake.
For years there has been demand for
fair election laws in this State. The hope
was INDUCED that tho convention would
take hold Of this matter in earnest and
make such provisions in the Constitution
as would render fraud and corruption
practically impossible. Has this hope
been realized? No. no. Has any action
been taken in that direction? Absolutely
none, but to the contrary the property
and understanding clauses, rccking with
OPPORTUNITIES for the perpetration of fraud
and the practice of corruption. have been
set forth. Instead of the ballot marker
in his secret booth and the ballot bcx
suffer behind closed doors. We are to
have the commissioners OF The revenue
TO make or unmake voters Under the
property clause, and the registrars to
make or unmake voters under the llnIe,-
standin" clause.
The commissioner can enfra''ch.,e c.
defanchise by too high or toe low assess
ments. The property OF his PARTY. fac
tional or personal .rinad can easily he
more valuable in his eye tha1 the PROP
ertv of his party. tacfinnll or personal
enemy.
1he registrar can enfranchise or dis
franchise according to his likes and dis
likes, as party or factional necessity
may demand. II an applicant for regis
tration is a party, fractional or personal
friend, the registrar can give him sec
ton that is easy; he can make sugSes-
tons to him, aid him, assist him, help
him along. and pass him. II an appli-
can't is a party, fractional or personal
enemy the registrar can give hin; knot
ty section-for instance, the corporation
section, With its many clauses and para
:,raDh:;-to cGnstruc ailt: explain. The APP
p.icant may ask for something easier. but
the registrar shakes his head. The app!i-
ca1,: undertakes lis difficult task: lie may
give & proper. explanation, but it is not
satisfactory 10 Tie registrar, who sits
Il. sole Judge. The applicant is deniei
rccistratic,l-tie registrar get. in lis
TCri. in fine stylc-.lle has served his partJ
or tactci, OF vented his personal spite. It
1.,a;- BE said. that il is intended 20 give
tic right of appeal to any applicant who
is refused registration. Suppose this is
Inc, when will his appeal be heard? The
courts will be crowded with regular bust
ness; they will have an avalanche of APP
PEGS. When can they hear them? How
;:,inv yoor men can afford to spend the
tire attending court, travelling long Gis-
tances in tho country districts to appear
Ecforc the judges:
Taking these proposed property and
understanding clauses all i'll all. it may
trrthfu1ly be stated that tho most fer
tile brain could not have devised u