The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-03

The Democratic wisdom and ingenuity of
Virginia has been at work ten months TO
devise a section for the Constitution of
that State which will disfranchise blacks
without disfrancnising whites. The length
of time devoted to the task without COM
pleting it indicates the puzzling features it
presents. The greater difficulties of the
task appear when it is added that nearly
all of the ablest Democrats in the State
are members Of the constitutional conven-
ton.
A suffrage plan has recently been an
nounced. 1t begins with IAN understand
ing clause after 1904, which means that a
white who cannot read will be permitted
to explain SOM provisions Of the Consti-
tuition to the satisfaction of the election
enrolling officers. AS these officers will be
Democrats and the man expOunding the
Constitution will be a white Democrat. one
need not be a profound person to discover
that the white who cannot read can salts
factorily expound the Constitution to the
extent of qualifying to vote. The prepay
ment of a poll tax for three years preced-
ing the election is also required. Federal
and Confederate soldiers and their sons
are exempted from all these requirements.
After 1904 the voter must make application
in his own handwriting and prepare his
own ticket. Persons who pay taxes on
$3.50 are exempted from every other qualih-
cation. After all this work it is estimated
that 10000 negroes can vote after 1904. while
many illiterate whites will be disfran-
ehised.
This plan for the regulation of suffrage
is commended to the attention Of the read
ers Of the Journal as the latest expression
Of Democratic wisdom in a State ruled by
Democrats. 1t involves three essential
features. namely, "a. the prepayment of a
poll tax for three years preceding the cleo
ton at which he would vote; (2), ne must
be able TO read and write intelligently; 90,
In lieu of poll tax and educational tests
he can prove the payment of taxes on two
hundred and fifty dollars worth of prop
erty. Such are the qualifications for all
voters except those who are the sons of
Confederate and Federal soldiers. The es-
sential feature of this latest declaration of
Democracy regarding suffrage is that it is
not a natural, but an acquired right. The
male who arrives at the age of twenty-one
years no longer comes into the right to
vote as an inherent one, but he must either
have the ability to read and write or prop
erty valued at $3.50 upon which he pays
taxes.
The Democratic statesmen of Virginia
have painfully devised this plan for con-
ferring the right of suffrage in order TO
eliminate from a participation in public af-
fairs. provided they are negroes, those who
have not sufficient intelligence to partici-
pate in making government unless they
have paid a poll tax for three years or a
tax on two hundred and fifty dollars worth
of property. The right to vote involves
the obligation to help support the govern
ment by taxation. Even reading and writ
ing does not free a mar of the obligation
to contribute to the support of the gov
eminent, as no man can qualify by reading
and writing unless he has paid three poll
taxes. When it is recalled that ex-City
Controller Johnson declared in a tax report
that about IS per cent. of the males of the
voting age i'm indianapolis did not pay any
tax one gets an idea of what the Demo-
cratic plan OF Virginia would mean if APP
piled to this city.
Just now the Democratic leaders are
beating about for an issue. Why not make
the Democratic scheme for suffrage an
issue on the broad ground that suffrage
is an acquired right implying obligation.
and that the qualification should be the
same in all States?