The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-01-19

True. tho matter has not baea brought
into the convention itself; but 1t has
been considered aud discussed from every
point Of view as It relates TO every Soc
ton Of the State. In the Suffrage COM
mittee and in the nightly conferences OF
the Democratic members. Nonooy VINO
has not attended tho meetings OF this
committee or of the conference can have
any adequate conception OF the dthcul-:
ties In the way OF a satisfactory solution
of this perple1ing problem. Confronted
in the beginning by the prohloltlons OF
tho Federal Constitution and by the vast
ly differing conditions in the various seq
tons of the State, it has been hercu-
lean task to fabricate plan OF suffrage
which will certainly solve the question.
With twenty-five counties having q. negro
ma jority ranging from 800 to $500; with
g large number Of other counties having
q. considerable negro population; and with
other counties not materially troubleo
with the presence OF the negro as
factor in their politics: 1t has been an
almost impossible task to construct
plan upon which there can pc ooealneo
g. satisfactory unaninity OF agreement.
Without an inspection of the statistics
without a thorough examination into the
facts. without knowing the experience
Of other Southern States. without full or
even fair Information upon the muEd-
tude of points involved In the problems
it is easy enough to prod and to cr1tl-
else; but no citizen who loves his state,
no man who is disposed to be just, no
body who can exercise patience IN ~
ing ordeal would. condemn the Constlt'l-
toinal Convention for delay on TINS ire
mendously important question. IL ne could
understand the situation as II really eN-
lists To practically exclude a hume
Gully strong and vicious element from the
30, uler electorate, against the spirit OF
the Federal Constitution, without Vlolat-$
Ing the letter of the law; and at the
same time to include in the electorate
another class of a different race whose
disa billties, under 8 uniform system
would also cause their exclusion; and
with ali this to emancirate Virginia by
providing perfectly fair and honest
system OF elections, Is task that has
engaged the very best efforts and the
most earnest active and persistent con-
sideration of the Democratic members or
the COW enton.
They have nearly completed the con-
sideration Of this question and Whether
t,t1 have done well or i'll in a few weeks
their work viii have been finished. w nat
ever may be the plan of suffrage. Of 1t
there can be one thing surely said; and
that is, that 1t cannot be worse than
the plan devised by the enemies OF Vlr-
ginia and put upon the people OF the
Commonwealth by the Underwood CON
vention at the point of Federal oayonets
On the contrary. it bids fair to be q,
plan which, if all virginians cannot en-
dorse as the very best plan winch may
he devised, certainly ali intelligent and
patriotic Virginiahs may approve as
plan infinitely better than that under
which we have operated for th1rty-three
wears and under which political otrences
grew so insufferable as to prompt the
people Of lnis State to call Constitution
a, Convention In order to get relief.
eduction of Taxation.
Finally, it may be predicted with rea-
sonable, if not absolute confidence, that
the Constitutional Convention, when II
shall nave concluded its work. will have
so reduce expenses OF government, ana
at the same time increased the puollc
revenues. that the General Assembly VIII
ba ah,a to cut down the rate of State
taxes from 40 to so cents on the hundred
dollars.