The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-26
RICHMOND ELECTIONS,

Few people realize what great change
the new Constitution will make In Che
electorate of this city. and how future
municipal elections will be affected
thereby.
Beginning with next year, none except
veterans will be privileged to vote with
out the prepayment of the poll taxes as
sessed since the Constitution went into
effect, for the three years next preced|
ing the election. We have here In Rich
mond $500 white registered voters. OF
which number, we guess. not one-halr
have paid the poll tax for 1902
There will be another registration this
year probably. in the month OF Sep
tember when voters names may be
added to the registration lists upon ex-
actly the same terms and conditions that
Others were put upon 1t at the registra-
ton OF 1902
1t may be safely assumed that hundreds
| of names will be added The number
of those who are registered under the
veteran clause we do not know. but we
believe half Of those so registered would
be entitled to register as taxpayers.
| In other words, they were entitled to reg
lister either as veterans or as taxpayers,
| but chose to register under the latter
title.
| Here in Richmond the primary election
| is the real electson-the real choosing OF
candidatesland it Is presumed that the
Democratic party plan will not allow
any one to participate In the primary
election who is not entitled to vote In
the regular election 1t is required we
believe, to qualify a man to vote that
he must not only be registered, but he
must have paid the poll tax assessed
against him under this Constitution for
the three years preceding the election.
six months prior to the election. The
payment of the Foil tax. sl50 year. as
prerequisite to voting, is not required by
the Constitution at elections held prior
to 1904
The next election to take place here Will
DO on November 81, next, when one sena-
tor and five delegates will be elected
from Richmond to the General Assembly.
Our understanding as to when tho next
election for Mayor and members Of the
City Council will take place, when they
will enter upon the. duties OF their Offices
etc., is as follows:
n) BY section "A of the schedule OF
The now Constitution. the terms OF al
city officers cleo led by the people, il
office, at the tIm,t the new Constitution
, went into effect July LIST. 1902. excep
Mayors. members of the City Council
and clerks of the courts. were extende
until January LIST. 1905. and the election
, OF such officers (wthose terms are so eX
tended Is to ta,Ee place on the firs
Monday In November. 1905 The term
l, of the other city officers, not SO electe
Ia uhat Is, not ELECTED by the people). bu
:, tppoinyed by the CITY Council or other
wise, expire as provided In the city char
ter.
III (2) BY section IL. OF the schedule, tn
ferms OF Mayors and members OF Cit
. Councils. in office In the LIST day of Jul,
1909. are extended 10 September LIST. 100
40 md their success rs are required to h
g elected on the see nnd Tuesday in Jun
IN 1904, and enter upon the discharge
AZ their duties on the LIST day OF Septemb,
10 thereafter.
C3) Under section 1920 Of the new Co
Mt stltution the terms Of the following of
re GERS arc fixed at four "a years; Ci
Id treasurer, city sergeant and Mayor of t
x city.
iy az Under section. lls of the constit
ey ton. the term OF tiifice OF the clerk
or the chancery Court Is fixed at eight
" years. and he is eIicted by The quaifi
ais yotes of the city, Under the same Sc
on ton. the terms Of the clerks Of the 9th