Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1903-09-24

us in this position. What were the
methods devised by the constitutional
convention? A corrupt and corrupting
suffrage law and the proclamation of the
new constitutional latter an act of
u-urpation and party perfdy.
When the understanding clause" was
being debated in the convention, here is
What the News Leader said about it;
1--WE record an earnest and urgent pro-
test against provision which means one
Of two things;
Fraud and violation of oath by Com
nlssioners of registration with the con-
niYance of judges,
1.-The Acknowledgement of thousands Of
poor and illiterate white men,"
Two of these fruits have already been
gathered from the understanding clause, d"
fraud and the Acknowledgement of thous-
ands of poor and illiterate white men.
On the Sth of November, 1901, the News
Leader discussed the understanding
clause" at some length. Some of Its re-
marks were as follows:
There is no limit to the power of ;he
board, no responsibility on its members,
no way of Furnishing them for oppression
or unfaithfulness, however fragrant. y
Such a provision would make fraud safe
and easy and would be constant incite-
ment to it. 1t would put certain classes
of citizens of both colors at the mercy OF
the board"
The theory is that these boards
would use their powers to put on the vot-
log lists the names of all white men who
might apply and to exclude all negroes,
regardless of the correctness OF incorrect
ness of their answers. That would be
fraud fixed in the Constitution of the
State of Virginia, thought repugnant to
every man who loves the honor OF the
State, is mindful of her traditions and
ambitious for her future. < 4 The con-
vention was called to relieve the State OF
the danger and terror of black rule and
from the need Of fraud to prevent it. The
understanding" clause would make fraud
easy, safe, certain and general"
This is the way the Virginia Democrats
and "their representatives gave lavishly
of their valuable time to devise lawful and
honest methods by which the white peo'
pie of the State could be enabled to differ
safely and fight out their differences hon
estly between themselves" What does
the News Leader now think about it?
How about the proclamation of the new
constitution? On the 23rd of April, 1902,
the News Leader bad column editorial
discussing the question of proclamation.
Here is what it said in part;
ut will mean that majority OF the one
hundred men sent here to make con-
stitution for the people of Virginia will de-
clare their own work to be good and will
proclaim it as the fundamental, supreme
and permanent law of the State. 1t will
mean imposing upon the people con
stitution which nine-tenths of them have
not read and do not understand 1t will
mean a declaration that the convention
has not enough confidence in its own work
70 submit that work to the judgment of
the people. 1t means distinct, direct, |
fragrant violation and reputation of a |
plain promise repeatedly made by the
Democratic party and its representatives
In its behalf. 1t means inviting 1.-THE con-
tempt and distrust of the people for the
party and any future promises it may
make"
The constitutional convention, represen-
ting the Democratic party, committed
this infamous act Of usurpation and per
idy. Will the News Leader wonder that
We have no faith In Democratic promises
md no confidence in the honesty of the
party? Are the above noted acts the lawful
md honest methods of the Democrats for
which "their representatives gave lavishly
If their time to devise?" How can the
News Leader, consistently, have any more
aith ain Democratic promises than we
rave?