Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-09-26
REPRESENTATIVE Moores
Speech

Washington, Sept. 24.-Today Rep
resentative R. Walton Moore, win
was member Of the CONSTITUTIONS
Convention of 1901-02, referred to tn
very extreme criticism of condition
in Virginia by Mr.. Anderson, the Re
publican candidate for Governor, am
particularly his denunciation of tn
constitution and the suffrage plai
which it provides, including the po!
tax. although" said Mr.. Moore
"Mr. Anderson now goes the limit il
denouncing the constitution as vicious
and Ubiquitous, he not only recognlz
ed that so far as the suffrage provl'
sions are concerned, it was q neccs'
sary and proper step to take, but n
gave it his distinct approval after i
had been in effect for about six years
In his speech of October 18th, 1905
introducing to a Richmond audience
Mr.. Taft, who was then running fol
the Presidency, Mr.. Anderson as re.
ported in the Times Dispatch said:
1.-THE problems with which the South.
ern people were confronted as a re-
suit of the Civil War have for tt
past forty years challenged their
closest attention, and prevented ma
tural division upon ecohomic and poll
teal questions. The generation tina;
is passing away has devoted its at
tention to the task Of solving these
problems in a manner which would
preserve our institutions Of govern
ment in their purity and do justice tc
all classes. When we consider tn
difficulties to be overcome, the SINAI.
resources at their command, and tn
results which have been accompllshe'
the achievements of the Virginans Oh
the last generation compare we'll VII
those of her sons in the more brilliant
periods of her history, and merit ::
lasting gratitude of generations
come. But happily, these problem.
have. been solved and these conGl
tons have passed. The reason urge
fl the constitution Of 1902 was that
the adjustment of the problems VII.
that instrument sought to settle
would leave the people of this State
free to divide upon economic questions
and thus increase the Influence OF VIZ
ginia in national affairs and promote
the political ard industrial progress
of her people. The adoption OF that
was the last step III the
work of forty years which has placed
the institutions Of this State upon
sound basis, has assured the sup
remacy of intelligence III our govern
ment, and has opened to the people
of ali races and all classes an oppor-
tunity to reap and enjoy the rewards
of good citizenship Mr.. Anderson,
who then praised the constitution, now
urges that it be summarlly sWcpt
away. At the same time, he suggests
no substitute in the way OF suffrage
restrictions that would preYcnt inc
State from being returned to the con-
dition that obtained IN Virginia ana
other Southern States prior to the
adoption of existing constitutions,
without which their institutions would
not be upon "a sound basis and the
supremacy of intelligence would not
be assured. Apparently he is willing
to unsolvc the problems for which the
found a solution ana
again bring to the front the race cues
tons and suffrage controversies that
it disposed of. The representative OF
Alexandria in the constitutional con
vcntion was the late Col. Francis l..
Smith one of the foremost citizens
and lawyer of the state"