The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-03-20
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1908.
a DANGEROUS MOVEMENT.

3 A DANGEROUS MOVEMENT.
y We are distressed to hear that move
%nent has been started TO amend the Col' Z.
Ktit,,tion SO as to make the temporary
understanding clause permanent, ana we
/ sincerely hope that the effort VIII fall
1t the outset. This question was thor-
oughly and fully discussed by members
OF the Constitutional Convention, ana 1t
was finally decided thata temporary IN
rstanding CLAUSE was all that was
needed to register the whites and TO ex-
olude the Objectionable blacks. There
was serious objection on the part Of the
majority Of the members OF the conVen-
ton ana on the part Of the people at
large even to a temporary understanding
clause. but the conclusion was finally
reached that this was the only practi-
cable remedy for the evil. and many OF
those who were opposed to 1t finally
yielded. But those who yielded are stu
opposed to making this feature OF the
Constitution permanent and II SUCH an
issue Is thrust into the politics OF VIZ
ginia 1t will cause no end OF trouble. II
lis q dangerous thing to tride with, ana
We give warning.
We cannot see what occasion there is
Tor making this charge. Under the pres
emit system the white voters of the State
can GET on the permanent roll, and If
they have not done SO, and II they ifall
to do So at tho next registration, twill
be their own fault and through their own
Neglect. AS for the negro vote, while
some negroes have been admitted to the
suffrage, the great majority of them
have been excluded, = and we believe that
the restrictions contained In section ~
Of the Constitution are sufficient to guard
The suffrage, after tho temporary under
" standing clause shall have expired by
( Limitation. III that section 1t is provided
i that after the LIST day of January. 1904,
every male citizen of tho United States
having the qualifications of age and resi-
dence required In section IS shall be en-
titled to register, provided:
.'First. That he has personally paid to
the proper officer all State poll taxes as
gessed or assessable against him, under
this or tho former Constitution, for the
three years noxt preceding that In which
= he offers to register; or, If he come OF.
age at such time that no poll tax shall
Sllave been assessable against him for the
year preceding the year In which he offers
{ to register, has paid one dollar and fifty
cents in satisfaction OF the first years
poll tax assessable against him; and,
Second That. unless physically UNI
able he make application to register in
his own handwriting, without aid, sug-
gestion or memorandum, in the presence
oftthe registration officers, stating therein
his name, age, date anu place of birth.
residence and occupation at the time and
for the two years next preceding, and
whether he has previously voted, and. II
& SO. the State county and precinct in
which he voted last; and,
b Third, That he answer on oath any
and all questions affecting his quallAca-
lions as al elcctor, submitted to him by
+ the officers of registration. which ques-
+ tons, and his answers thereto, shall be
reduced to writing, certified by the said
officers, and preserved as a part of their
official records"
III But that Is not all. There are other
I; restrictions as to voting. If the person
Offering to vote registered prior to Jan
uary !. 1904, he viii be permitted to
receive assistance III the preparation OF
his ballot, but he Is required to have paid
all State poll taxes assessed or asscssable
against him within the three years mex
preceding that In which he offers TO vote
unless he be an old soldier of the c!vi
war. But II he be a person who has BIO
come registered after January ]. 1904. theI
in addition to the prepayment of his Stat
poll taxes six months prior to the cleo
Z ton. he will be required, unless physi
cally unable. to make out and deposi
his own ballot without assistance.
we believe that under these restriction
of registration and voting Virginia wi
be abundantly protected against the oh
jactionable negro vote. and we can sc
no reason whatever Cor making a change
The understanding clause in the hands Q
the right sort OF men Is all right. but
Is dangerous power to put into tn
hands Of any set Of men. ana II It b
made permanent feature of our organi
law. abuses will undoubtedly spring u
and our last state will be worse tha
the first
We sincerely hope that the General AS
sembly Of Virginia viii not throw TIL
hrebrand into the politics Of the State. ]
1t dnes there viii be trouble Tor the Dem
ocrarIe party. It's as dangerous as dyna
mite,
go --=----=-.--=
.rkIr, T,IIDDIcE cAcp