Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-08-28
The Virginia Situation.

The November elections in Virginia will
be the first to take place under the new
state constitution. AS the suffrage clause
of that Instrument was framed with a spe-
cific object in view. may expect that
object to be accomplished at this first trial
In fact, Senator Martin, who knows the
state and the situation thoroughly, makes
the prediction confidently that such will be
the case. He is quoted as follows in an i'll
terview:
The campaign in Virginia this year will
be a tame one. The registration under the
new constitution will practically eliminate
the negroes. and, consequently. there will be
little left of the republican voting strength.
In Judge Rhea's district in the southwest
section of the state, there are many white
republicans of influence and responsibility,
but they are not numerous enough to pre-
vent Judge Rhea receiving a good demo-
cratic majority. All over the state the cam
paign will be one-sided. Its result is al
ready foregone conclusion and while there
of the democratic candidates, the latter will
have no opposition"
With a result like this to fortify their
case, those who are preparing to test the
cOnstitutionality of the constitution in the
courts will move with the greater earnest
ness. Eminent lawyers are mentioned in
connection with the suit. John S. Wise is
one of these, and he says in reply to over
lures on the subject:
You may say to your associates that
while am not fully prepared in their case,
have examined the question sufficiently
to feel certain that in proper proceedings
the courts will hold that the new constitu-
ton of Virginia Is not, has never been, and
cannot be the lawful constitution of Vir-
gInia; that the convention, neither by the
popular or legislative authority. had power
IN 1air o,,1 hot = he l,all
nullity. and all efforts to treat it as valid
or binding upon the people of Virginia will
be held void
On the other hand, those who framed the
instrument have every confidence in their
work, and predict that it will stand any
test to which in the courts or elsewhere it
may be subjected. Senator Daniel is one
Of these. and he is lawyer of high reputa-
ton. He is quoted as follows:
There Is no reason for any anxiety about
the Virginia constitution. Its ordainment
Will stand beyond doubt. The colored peo-
pie are being miSled again and ought ere
this to have learned enough by the past ex-
perience not to be thrown in vain hostility
to the whites. The few who will profit by
rouSlng them up to controversy will be of
no permanent service to them and they will
spend their money and their labor without
any returning benefit. These people have
been kind and generous to them and will
only be themselves stirred to firm action,
exasperating assaults and misrepresenta-
tions."
There has been so much discussion of the
laws enacted in the south for the limiting
OF the suffrage. and their effect on the ma
ttonal situation in Congress and in the cleo
toral college. this purpose of asking a de-
cision of the highest court on the subject
fully presented should everywhere be well
coined The Virginia case presents some
points of interest outside of the question
of suffrage. The leading one Mr.. Wise men,
tons in his letter. No opportunity was al
lowed the people of the state to pass upon
the work of the convention which fashioned
the new charter, although promise to tina
effect stood registered against those who
had been most active in having the con-
yentiOn called. A hundred men. who had
taken no oath to perform their duties faith
fully. crammed ten months of heated dis
cussion put into the shape of a state charter
down the threats of the whole people by a
mere proclamation