The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-06
\ PURE OR CoRRIPr ELECTION
THE HOUSE MUST SAY.

mont fixing the qualifications of voters
in the prohibition election proposed to
be held next September, removes II men
ace to Nirginia's good name and Nir-
ginia's freedom from corruption.
1t provides an electorate composed OF
men who have had the patriotism to
pay their poll taxes and qualify them
selves for tho ballo, at a time when
there was no special inducement for
them To do so. 1t eliminates those who
pay their poll taxes and qualify for
voting only when thcy are selashly In
tercsted in the pending election or
when somo wrongful inducement is
held ont TO them.
II insures n normal. rather than an
abnormal, clectora te--one prcsumably-
honest. rather than one composed In
large part OF those who have been
added to the list by the exercise Of
pressure or the promise OF gain
The amendment now goes to tho
House Of Delegates for concurrence
The Fletcher amendment is similar in
principle and almost In language TO
that introduced IN tho Senate Wedues-
day by senator Tavenner and defeated
by narrow margin. 1t provides that
MI who We're qualified TO vote i'm the
elections OF last November may vote
in tho proposed election to he held I'M
dor the enabling act. 1T admits to the
electorate also those who have qualified
to vote in tho coming spring elections
and those who may register by reason
OF becoming Of lawful ago prior TO the
date fixed for tho holding of the pro
posed election.
These provisions seem 10 Us 10 be
fair and Just. 1t admits the vast ma
jority of those who havo gone 10 tho
polls as good citizens year after year
and have voted their convictions. There
was 10 special reward offered TO those
who have already qualified 10 vote.
They qualified because they havo been
accustomed to exercise their privileges
MS citizens OF Virginia. They arc the
consistent voters. There VIII be n few.
a very few, disqualified who arc good
citizens. nnd who for some reason not
discredi,able 10 their good citizenship,
did not qualify for the 1913 general
elections or for the juno elections. hut
for these few would not
Justify the defeat Of an amendment
which disqualified practically all who
could be Influenced to quality tempo
rarily for privileges they nave hereto
fore shown themselves unwilling 10
exercise
The provision is not only fair ana
Just. 1T Is The strongest, safeguard
against corruption and debauchery that
could he thrown around an election.
Not voter can he added to the quail
led list after tho enabling act shah |
nave become operative. Thousands I
whose names now cumber the registra
ION books. but who have not exercised |
Inc right OF franchise IN years, viii he
barred. In the main, these men ARE OF
wo elnsscs-thosc SO little interested in I
-he affairs OF government rs not TO take I
the trouble to pay their pon taxes and /
those who vote only when induced TO
DO 80 hy influences which. to sny the
least. do not argue for their honesty. |
The first class deserves no considera-
iion when the purity OF elections is at
stake: the second class should be dis /
qualified whenever tho opportunity of /
,ers, however important or however un-
Important tho election
The Fletcher amendment admits to
No voting booths very few undesir-
lbles, alonR with great many desir-
lbies. ~ eliminates very few desir- I
lb!es, along with vast number of un- I
desirablcs. The electorate IS made as
near perfect rs possible. with as Mttl. /
Injustice as possible.
Virginia has fought long and sacri- I
feed much to purify our electorate. We
have been forced IN protection TO /
write into our organic law electoral /
which require every voter
to spend time and pay taxes before ne |
can cast . ballot. In so doing. we have /
STRICKEN from our books some good /
mon, but we have rid ourselves Of that
vote which made vote
stealing ana dishonest elections some 4
,im"s almost cNcusablc. il not justified. (
Are we now TO return TO those con
i'tions? Are we 10 have three months (
during which the state can TIC secured /
for voters ana thousands added who
have not, by habltual regard for their
duty as chiaons mcritod a vote I'm this
.mportaut election? Is virginia to let
down tho bars?
The senate Inns said no emphatIcallv I
aua hy an overwhelming vote. we am
peal TO The House Of Delegates 10 make
the same answer and 10 make 1T just
as emphottcally