The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-11-12
WEDNESDAY. november Il 1909

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER II. 1900
lETUS HAVE NO TmlxERiNG.
1t has lcen suggested that the General
Assembly which ASSEMBLIES to-day take
steps TO amend the Constitution SO as
to make the understanding clause perma-
nent-
We hope that no such foolish thing VIII
be attempted. First OF all 1t would be act
Ing In bad faith. and would never DO
countenanced by the people; secondly.
there Is no occasion for it.
The understanding clause has done Its
work well II has opened the doors to
tho whites. and all who have not avail
ed themselves OF the opportunity 70 get
On the permanent rolls will have another
opportunity next year. If they do not
avail themselves of II, the fault will be
theirs. The Objectionable negro vote has
ty this simple device been eliminated,
es 1t should have been. and when the
understanding clause shall have served
Its purpose, it should be retired, as the
Constitution provides.
But some say that after 1903 many me-
eroes will be able to register. and we
shall soon have as many on the lists as
before, and have all the work to do over
again Those who take that view can
not have read the law carefully. After
january i. 1904. as AIR. Braxton puts It
b his digest, entirely new provisions.
both as to registration and voting. come
into effect and remain Indefinitely as the
permanent law OF tho State on the sub
Ject. and all persons who shall not have
awaited themselves Of registration prior to
that date will have to register under the
new and permanent provisions. which Will
be that, in addition to the general re-
puirements of age and residence the per-
son applying for registration shall have
paid oil State poll taxes assessed or as
seesable against him in the three years
next preceding that in which he registers.
and he must. unless physically unable,
make out his own written application for
registration without assistance
This must be done in the presence of
the registration officers without aid. sug.
gestions or memorandum. stating therein
his name, ge date and place of birth.
residence and occupation at the time. and
for the two years next preceding and
whether he has previously voted, and.
&c SO, the State, county and precinct IN
which he voted last. and he is further re-
autred to answer on oath any and all
questions affecting his qualifications as
an elector.
SO much for the registration. After hav-
ing registered. again quoting from Mr.
Braxton. no person shall be permitted to
vote at any election held after January L
1901, unless he complies with the following
requirements: First, if he be person
who had registered prior TO January l,
1904. then he shall be permitted to receive
assistance in the prepare ton of his ballot,
but he is required to have paid. at least
six months prior to the election. all State
poll taxes assessed or bic against
him within the three years next preced-
ing that In which he offers to vote.
unless he be an old soldier of the civil
war, in which event he shall not be re-.
qnired to prepay any poll taxes: second.
il he be person who has become regis
tered after January l, 1904, then. in add
ton to the prepayment of his State poll
taxes six months prior to the election. as
last above stated. he will be required Gun
less physically unable) to make out and
deposit his own ballot. without assistance.
These safeguards are ample, and there
is no occasion whatever for perpetuating
or even extending the understanding
clause.