The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-04-04
VOTING CLAUSE
IS MADE PLAIN
Assistant Acknowledgement Dc
cidcs Who May Vote in
Statewide Election.
OPINION SENT TO GOVERNOR
Amendments to Act Result in
Conflicting Provisions as
to Registration.

In an opinion delivered TO Governor
Henry G. stuart yesterday. Assistant
Acknowledgement c. Il Garnctt defined
exactly who ma: vote In the State
wide prohibition election TO BE- held
on TIE fourth Tuesday In September,
1914. The bill as introduced by Judge
Martin Williams was several times
amended, an extended amendment In
regard TO suffrage being put In thu
hiii by Senator rarcnncr, and the act
AS nally approved appears to have
conflicting provisions as to who may
vote. The effort was TO so draw this
prolisl Of the bin rs to prevent the
adding to tho registration books of tho
ignorant ana Shiftlcss element which
II WAS sought 10 exclude under pro-
visions Of the new Constitution. The
crux OF the opinion is that any per
son who has paid his poll taxes or is
otherWis" qualified, may register at
any time UP to thirty DAYS before Tho
September special election. Mr.. Gnrnn,t
has had tho matter under considcra
tipn since March 20. and has gone over
vide range Of authorities.
Text OF Opinion
The op!nion follows in full:
DIS Excellency. Henry g. Stuart, Gov
crnor Of Virginia. Richmond
Dcar Sir.-Repiying 70 your favor OF
O.
tion OF inc enabling act, beg leave to
submit tho following:
The specific question which Won nut
IL whether persons who have com
Phed with the provisions OF section
OF said act but who have not vet
registered. may register and vote in
tho election to DO held in Septcrnhcr
Section OF the &C, reads a. follows.
The qualifications Of voters a, onw
erection held under this act shall be
Such as are prescribed for voters nv
the general law Provided the fol-
rowing persons only shall be qualified
to vote ct such election, namely ali
persons vino were aualined In vo,a -,
the reg u!ar November election 1o13
ana ali other persons. who are other
Wise qualified and have personaliv
paio' nt least six months prior to the
second Tuesday in juno OF the year
1918, all State poll taxes sssossed ~
hsSessaoie against them during tho
three years next preceding the year OF
1917; ana all such other persons who
shaH become OF lawful age at a time
"heh no capitation tax was ASSESS
h"ie against them for the wear 1914
and shall thereafter register by rea
son OF becoming OF lawful az. prior
10 the date herein liked for the hold
ing of said election"
as many questions are coming tn
TINS Office involving the construction
OF thia act. ] think * proper 10 give
YOU an analysis thereon. which viii NOT
only answer the question put by YOU.
tut which may be used To n,ey.o,
o'hcr questions which have como to
this o'icc. and in which there seems
10 oe general interest
The section quoted provides That N.
Qualifications OF voters at the clac-
ton In September shall be such nc o..
prescribed by general law. and further,
PROVIDES that the following persoos
only shall be qualified TO vote ut sucb
election; '
/ All persons who were qualified 10
vote IT The regular November s,oo
uon. 1913.
H. All other persons who ar. "a,
olher"isc qualified and tb) have per-
sonal!y paid at least six months urinr
TO the second Tuesday In june. 1914
q. G.. before December .. 1874, an
poll taxes assessed or nsscssahin
against them during three years ne,t
proceeding the year 1914 a. e.. during
1913. 1912, 1910.
IL. All such 90 other persons who
snail become OF lawful age MT a time
when no capitation tax was nssnss,hia
against them for the v w"s " Is,s anle
shall thereafter register by reason ~
becoming OF lawful age prior to the
date herein fixed for the holsin, -,
said election.
Taken In in Order.
Taking up each OF these classes =,
detail. / will discuss them in their or
der VI
l. All persons who were qualified 70
vote at tho regular November election.
1919 This class includes:
CD Old soldiers on the permanent: list
REQUIRED by section 10 OK the ConstI-
tuition, whether they have paid their
rcil taxes or not. and whether Or not
they voted At the November election.
1913
'2) All persons on said permanent
list Other than old soldiers who az
least SIX months prior to the election
in November, 1913 had paid all state
poll taxes assessed or ass"ssah,e
H~"inst thou, during 1912. 1911 AND
1870 whether such persons actually
voted or not at the November cleo.
tion. 1919.
CD All other persons who have reg
is;ered and hnd. NJ least six months
prior TO the November election. 1918
paid ali the state poll tnxes assessed
or assessahle AGAINST them durino 1912.
1911 and 1910. whether such persons