Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-22
VIRGINIA NOT AFFECTED
BY OPINION OF COURT
Attorney-General Pollard Discusses
Provisions of Eligibility in This
States Constitution.
ONLY LITERACY TEST PREVAILS
Thinks That Decision AnnulIing
"Grandfather Clause" Might Go
So Far ms to Restore Negro Domi.
nation in Some of Southern States.

Attorney-Gencral John Garland Pol
lard said last night that the proba bill
ity of Virginia being affected by the
decision of the Supreme Court adverse
to the grandfather clause" was remote
1t was "A most far-reaching decision. he
stated. and might affect some OF the
Southern States most serlously--in fact
II might go so far to restore negro
domination.
This State has no grandfather
clause" imposing At present only a
literacy test. In the general registra- :
tion following the adoption of the new
Constitution in 1902 certain special pro-
visions were made as TO eligibility un-
der that registration.
Mr.. Pollard was member Of the
constitutional convention and was sec
rotary Of the Democratic caucus Of that
body which debated the suffrage clauses
for weeks behind closed doors.
ONLY LITERACY TEST
PREVAILS IN VIRGINIA
"It appears that we have had a very
narrow escape" said Mr.. Pollard last
night. Not even reporters were ad-
mitted to the caucus when the suffrage
clauses was being debated. There was
a strong element I'm favor of a grand
father clause which had been adopted
by some States There was also an
element favoring an understanding
clause. and some opposed both. The
effort was to eliminate the negro from
control and at the same time disfran-
chise as few as possible white men.
The convention finally adopted both a
temporary understanding clause and a
temporary grandfather clause. but both
passed out with the general registra-
tion, and we have now only n literacy
test. Any man, white or colored. who
can write out his application for him
self can vote. The real safeguard
against negro domination is the poll
tax provision"
Mr.. Pollard recalled the effort of
John S. Wise as counsel for certain ne
groes to test the Virginia Constitution
In the courts which was never tried on
It's merits and finally dropped.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
ORDERS NEW REGISTRATION
The Constitutional Convention of 1902
wiped the slate clean. ordered n new
general registration of all voters and
provided the manner of registration
thereafter. In the general registration
OF 1902 1t was provided that one who
had the qualifications Of age and resi-
dence might register; if he had served
in tho army or navy of the United
States, the Confederate States or of any
State, the son of any such person; any
person owning properly on which taxes
amounting to 81 or more had been paid
for or person able to read the Con-
stitution or to give n reasonable ex-
planation when read TO him.
After that general registration. the
Constitution provided that, beginning
in 1904 and thereafter. there should be
registered any person who had per-
sonally paid poll taxes required, and
who. unless physically unable. made
application in his own handwriting,
without aid, suggestion or memorandum,
this clause providing ""rmanent
literacy test intended to apply there
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