1 10 42 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Student Name Carlos Serrano Summary The Planet poses questions regarding the fairness of elections in the Richmond area. Item Type Article Image No URL https://virginiachronicle.com/cgi-bin/virginia?a=d&d=RP18940210&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN------- Topic Voting Times Repeated Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound The Richmond, Va., Daily Times, a liberal Democratic journal has been faithfully endeavoring to lead the party with which it is identified back to the true principles of Democracy. It attacked that cancerous growth-dishonest elections and no surgeon has ever essayed to locate and advise as to the removal of the same with more precision and fidelity than has this champion of truth and justice. When the allegations was made that political rings controlled the state and that whereas when the Republican party was active Negroes were cheated, but since its retirement from the field outspoken and independent white men were cheated as well, the Chairman of the State Democratic Committee professed ignorance and the Richmond, Va., Dispatch was stone-blind. It was openly stated that the charges must be substantiated by facts. Well in the Daily Times on the 4th inst., these facts are produced. With what success the reader may judge from the editorial utterances of this journal. “The exposure we make this morning of what took place at Smithers’ store precinct, in Henrico county, as the election on November 7,1893, should make every citizen of Virginia pause and ask himself earnestly and seriously if he has any voice in his government at all as matters now stand. Three hundred and fifty voted were all that were cast at this precinct and yet the election officers recorded six hundred and eleven and that by the most open and barefaced methods of stuffing the ballot box. So bold had successful fraud made them that they neglected the most ordinary precautions of covering up their tracks. The copying of “blocks of five” from the registration book is perhaps the most open and barefaced fraud that was ever attempted before under similar circumstances. By this method, a precinct which had never before given more than one hundred and seventy seven democratic votes in an honest election was made to give four hundred and ninety-eight Democratic votes. It could just as easily have been made to give one thousand if they had been needed.” And again “This thing could not have happened without the connivance of all the election officers at that precinct. It is, therefore, to be considered as of and belonging to our election system. A system which makes those who have exclusive control of the elections a board of partisans, all of one party, to hold their meetings in secret, keep no records and be accountable to no one, must of course work it way by degrees to elections like that held at Smith's. The Times has uncovered what was done at this precinct by its own unaided efforts. It was of course at a great disadvantage from having to pick up its information here and there and wherever it could find an item. It had no power to compel the attendance of witnesses to give evidence. If it had this power it had not the slightest doubt that it could show that a state of affairs similar to that at Smithers exists in almost every, if not every, Negro county.” What will the people of Virginia say to this? How do they like the situation? But the Daily Times propounds a few questions and answers them. Here they are: “The Dispatch has repeatedly taunted the Times with the question ‘Why do you not go with your allegations of fraud before the grand juries?’ We have now proved fraud. What does the Dis;atch think will b done? We can tell it. Nothing. It is very doubtful whether the grand Jury indicts any one. But if it does here will be no conviction. Men cannot be expected to be better than their laws. The Anderson-McCormick law was understood by the people to be intended to be a shelter for cheating in elections. It had demoralized a great part of the moral sense of the people and they look on at the frauds that are perpetrated in elections with a shrug of the shoulder and inward thanks that their election troubles are ended. But are they ended? Is it any relief to escape Negro rule to fall under the absolute and autocratic rule of a ring of election thieves and ballot-box stuffers? What is the use of any citizen voting again? His vote is not counted unless it suits the election officers to count it. What part then has the citizen in his government. None, absolutely none. He had just as well stay at home as go to the polls. The result is the same in either case.” Ah, the white men of Virginia, in order to protect themselves against fraud and thievery must protect us. Here is the practical demonstration of a principle which is as old as time and as unvarying as the Almighty. May the christian people rally and the masses see that it is absolutely essential to the life of free government that honesty be again enthroned... Location Lower Left Quadrant Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Are Our Elections Honest? Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <i>Richmond Planet</i> Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1894-02-10 Title A name given to the resource Are Our Elections Honest? Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Student Name Carlos Serrano Summary Federal Election Laws are being repealed,. which brings the possibility of greater voter fraud in elections. Item Type Article Image No URL https://virginiachronicle.com/cgi-bin/virginia?a=d&d=RP18940217&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN------- Topic Voting Times Repeated Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound The Federal Election Laws which have been upon the statue books for more than a quarter of a century have been repealed, and the ballot-box stuffers, political thieves,and ward manipulators have nothing to fear so far as the federal authorities are concerned. The South rejoices, believing that one of the principles for which it contended during the War of Rebellion has been accepted as sound by the nation. However, there is an uneasiness apparent. The failure of the Republican leaders to filibuster has puzzles the moss-back element of the Democratic Party who believed that “a fight to the death” would be made. This feeling is shared by thousands of Republicans who thought that the Senators of their party would avail themselves of the privilege of debate and talk the Tucker Bill to death. But the leaders of our party in the Senate were wiser than they knew. The measure upon the statute books was not worth the effort. It has become useless and unless it was reinforced by other important amendments could not serve the purposes for which it was intended, -namely to secure to every man a free ballot and a fair count. But what will be the effect of this repeal Since the Democratic Party had become so violent in its antagonism to these laws, would not their repeal prove disastrous to the Republican Party? Not at all. As usual, it was pandering to a sentiment predominant in the South. It was “throwing the tub to the whale.” Let us see. It is a conceded fact that the Federal Election Laws were inoperative so far as the South was concerned and almost useless so far as the North and West were concerned inasmuch as in the former section fraud was boldly resorted to and murder put into operation whenever the occasion required in order to roll up the usual majority for the democratic ticket. In the latter sections, all of the states have election-laws under the operation of which whenever there is a positive upheaval ordinary fraud will not prevent the positive expression of the people at the polls. It was to remedy the evil in the South that the Lodge Federal Election Bill was passed by a Republican House of Representatives, then presided over by Speaker Reed. The attempt failed owing to the treachery of certain Republican Senators. As the matter stands now, there is no law relating to federal elections. With the success of the Republican Party in ‘96 will come an excuse for the placing upon the statute books laws which will make citizens equally free, certainly so far as national elections are concerned. Had the Democratic leaders left the measure which their party has repealed upon the books and made it less inoperative than before by amendments thereto, they would have been in better trim for the fight just ahead than they will be now. The republican Party has emphasized the principle that the Party in power is responsible for the legislation of the country and should not be blocked in its attempt to carry out its policy. The responsibility will accordingly be placed where it belongs. Take it all in all by the passage of the Tucker Bill and the failure to pass another measure to take the place of the one repealed the leaders have added another to the longlist of the Democratic blunders even though it will take them four years to see it. The Republican Party has a definite policy. Its position so far as fair elections are concerned is well known and it will be sure to carry out its pledges when the nation sees fit to again entrust it with power. Location Upper Right Quadrant Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context The Repeal of the Federal Election Laws Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <i>Richmond Planet</i> Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1894-02-17 Title A name given to the resource The Repeal of the Federal Election Laws Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Student Name Carlos Serrano Summary A new law threatens to prevent illiterate voters from accurately voting by themselves, having their ballots manipulated. Item Type Article Image No URL https://virginiachronicle.com/cgi-bin/virginia?a=d&d=RP18940310&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN------- Topic Voting Times Repeated Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound That thousands of bourbon Democrats have never accepted the amendments to the Constitution of the United States in good faith is plainly apparent in every act of theirs, but never more so than is evidenced in the editorial utterances of the Richmond, Va. Dispatch. In its issue of the 4th inst. It discusses the new bill before the Virginia legislature, and says: “The Walton election bill is designed to reinforce the Anderson-McCormick law and give to the electoral boards additional power to ensure the secrecy of the ballot” The above appears fair of its face and it supplements it by the following: “The chief thing at which the Australian system aims is that each voter shall have the privilege of preparing his ballot unmolested and unwatched. To accomplish this purpose at each polling place there is a booth provided and into this booth voters enter one by one. As they enter an official ballot (ticket) is handed them. Then and there the voter erases from the printed ballot the names of all persons for whom he does not wish to vote.” So far, so good, but read what follows: “Under the Walton bill, where a voter cannot read and write, he is entitled to call into the booth the special constable, who must render him assistance by reading the ballot to him and observe secrecy as to how the voter has voted.” The special constable is a Democrat. He can as easily instruct an illiterate voter wrong as he can instruct him right. Where there is a large illiterate vote he virtually decided the election. Armed whited at the polls are to be followed by the stealthy work of the Democratic special constable. The RIchmond, VGa. Daily Times sets forth the evils of the measure. He is what it says: “We beg to suggest, however, that the present bill would be improved, if instead of requiring the voter to scratch out all the names not vote for - which in some cases might be a great number - the voter should be permitted to put a cross mark, or, as is the case in maryland, where the pad and stamp are furnished, stamp a cross mark opposite the name voted for. This has been found to work well, and saves the time and trouble of scratching out all the other names. An official ballot, too, should be posted up outside, accessible to the bystanders, for their inspection and information. The emblem or device for designating each party, and the right to vote for all the candidates in block by putting your cross mark in a place prepared therefore - at the top - is a further labor saving method” And again: “The requirement that the voter shall do his own making, and that the name to be erased shall have at least three-fourths of its length marked out, is likely to take up more time than is allowed even an intelligent voter, but with the illiterate will be worse. The mark opposite the name voted for should be substituted for the proposed method.” Of course it will and thousands will be forced to retire without having exercised the right of suffrage. By the obstructing tactics in Jackson Ward, Richmond voters, who could read and write were delayed and it took twenty minutes for them to cast their ballots. The Daily Times says: “There should be two ballot clerks or constables - of different political parties - and as they are only allowed one dollar a day for their services, the additional expense of another clerk or constable would be more than compensated for by the additional assurance of fairness.” The insignificance of the fee assurances the securing of the worst Democratic “scrub” in the neighborhood. It concludes: “Unquestionably the effect of this Australian system is to discourage illiterate voters, and that has been shown by experience elsewhere.” The Richmond, Va. Dispatch gives forth this buncombe: “In Tidewater and Southside Virginia particularly it has required great courage on the part of a colored voter to vote a Democratic ticket. He is expected to take his ticket out of the hands of a local boss, and is so watched that to slip that ticket into his pocket and take out a Democratic ticket instead is wellnigh impossible.” This is great reason why a colored man should want to octe the Democratic ticket when members of that Party are even engaged in efforts to disfranchise him. The following from the Dispatch would indicate that they are demanding a measure by which they can cheat without effort: “‘The Negro belt’ of the State of Virginia is entitled to our sympathy and help. If the people of that section [unintelligent] this bill they should have it. It is a fearful exaction upon their time and patience that they should have to rise up year after year and make a mighty effort to keep off Negro domination.” We do not believe that any measure can be devised which will more effectively rob us than the one now on the statute books. The new law is designed to make thievery easier. We shall see what we shall see. . Location Upper Left Quadrant Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Making Cheating Easier Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <i>Richmond Planet</i> Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1894-03-10 Title A name given to the resource Making Cheating Easier Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Student Name Carlos Serrano Summary The Watson Bill passes in the Virginia Legislature, which aims to manipulate the ballot from illiterate men, who are mostly black. Item Type Article Image No URL https://virginiachronicle.com/cgi-bin/virginia?a=d&d=RP18940317&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN------- Topic Voting Times Repeated Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound The so-called Australian Ballot law recently passed by the Virginia legislature and known as the Walton Bill is one of the most outrageous measures ever enacted by any state for the disenfranchisement of the colored man,- the amendments to the Constitution of Mississippi not excepted. The measure will go into effect July 1, 1894, and the election of congressmen next fall will take place under its provisions. But let us consider this hybrid measure, which is but an adjunct to the scandalous Anderson-McCormick Electoral Boards law. Any person can be a candidate for any office, state or national, and have his name entered on the official ticket or ballot by notifying the Secretary of the Commonwealth, not more than thirty nor less than twenty days before the election. In the case of a person, being a candidate for any other office not specified, notice must be given the clerk of the county or hustings court. The official ballot will contain the names of all the candidates and there is no designation of any if them by Party, they being all printed together. This makes it especially difficult for an illiterate voter tell who not to scratch out. It provides for a compartment or booth in which the voter must go to mark his ballot, being allowed two and one half minutes in which si to do. A name must be scratched three fourth of the length of the line. Should a person fail to scratch all but the name of one person for a particular office, the ballot is void or useless so far as that office is concerned. No one is allowed to bring away an official ballot; neither can a voter see it until it is given him by the judge of election. This is done in order to keep any Republican from becoming familiar with the ballot and thus be able to vote it promptly. Any person who remains in the booth longer than two minutes and a half will be required to return the ballot to the judge of election and not be allowed to vote unless the judges decide to give him another trial and no one else desires to vote. The Electoral Board of each county and city shall appoint for each voting precinct therein one special constable, who shall be allowed one dollar per day,-the judges and clerks receive five dollars per day. He shall have the power to arrest any person upon the verbal order or warrant of the judges of election. This special constable may assist any voter who is physically or educationally unable to prepare his ballot. He can point out to a person who is unable to read or write the names of the persons he may desire to strike out. The use of the word “may” renders it optional with the special constable as to whether he will assist an illiterate voter or not. He may take a longer time to show him what names to strike out than the law allows and this rob him of his vote. Persons cannot assemble within one hundred feet of any voting places. It will thus be seen that the special constable, where there is a large illiterate vote decides the election, and where there is not the bourbon democratic electoral board, with corrupt judges get in its work. The voter is to be subjected to the old time system of challenging,-gray headed men being asked if they are 21 years of age, and then forced to run the gauntlet of a ballot which is puzzling even to the educated. The law will enable the machine to count our white men with the same facility as colored ones. Under the Anderson-McCormick law all of the members of the electoral boards are democrats and all three of the judges of election may be democrats. The democratic special constable is an anomaly. He could have his illiterate white ward or county-heelers spotted, and when they called him into booth hand them a marked official ballot previously obtained and take the unnamed one from the voter, make it and be ready for the next “innocent.” This the method of these bourbon democrats who have for more than twenty years yelled about federal interference in the elections in their section. Let northern men mark this infamous measure. :et them note this other outrageous law to which this is added. The electoral boards, which have charge of the elections is comprised of all democrats. The judges of elections may all be democrats. The special constable who virtually decides the election in illiterate sections will be a democrat. For extreme partisans, this measure out-Herods Herod, and adds to Virginia’s woes another batch of corrupt election officials. What will the end be? Location Upper Right Quadrant Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context The Australian Ballot Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <i>Richmond Planet</i> Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1894-03-17 Title A name given to the resource The Australian Ballot Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Student Name Carlos Serrano Summary Men are convicted of electoral fraud in precincts in Henrico county, and receive a fine of $10 and one day in jail. Item Type Article Image No URL https://virginiachronicle.com/cgi-bin/virginia?a=d&d=RP18940728&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN------- Topic Voting Times Repeated Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound The trial of the white men, charged man charged with Alexa in Smith pre Henry on Friday 20th inst, and resulted in the conviction of the accused. The evidence was conclusive and barring quibbles upon some technical law points, it was considered by even the defense that no other result could have been reached. By agreement a verdict of $10 fine and one day in jail was rented. The convicted criminals were James Holleran, William Wilson, BF Ashby, WP Woodson, and BW Brauer. This was due to the agitation by the Richmond, VA, Times in favor of honest elections. It was proven that there were more names up on the registration books of this Precinct then there were voted it was proven that dead man had been voted, and that the dishonest election officials who had begun by robbing colored men, when this element in politics have been removed practice upon white men as well. Capt. AB Guion,The Fearless console in the case has done his duty well, and despite adverse criticism, the loss of personal friends and the condemnation by party leaders performed unflinchingly a disagreeable task, and his efforts have been crowned with success. He is a Democrat, but will yet find as the years pass by that no grantor service could be performed then to place the political organization to which he belongs above the plane of the bummer, the, and the man who would not hesitate to commit murder to carry a point. The punishment secured is entirely inadequate but it will do. It will be a warning to Democrats and 10 to clear are elections of the stains which have so long rested upon them. There are few persons who believed that a jury could have been obtained that would have rendered even such a nominal verdict we are pleased to find it as it is and we hope are the next batch of criminals are brought to trial that the situation will have improved sufficiently to guarantee their incarceration in the Virginia Penitentiary where hard work May tend to produce an atonement for their mauy sins... Location Upper Right Quadrant Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Ballot-Box Stuffers Convicted Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <i>Richmond Planet</i> Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1894-07-28 Title A name given to the resource Ballot-Box Stuffers Convicted Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Student Name Carlos Serrano Summary An election in Harrisonburg, VA results in the election of a Democratic mayor and Republican treasurer; it is the first election to occur under a new election law that aims to disenfranchise black voters. Item Type Article Image No URL https://virginiachronicle.com/cgi-bin/virginia?a=d&d=RP18940804&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN------- Topic Voting Times Repeated Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound The recent election at Harrisonburg, VA resulted in the election of a Democrat, Mr. Switzer, Mayor, and a republican, Mr. D.D. Lewis, treasurer. The contest was conducted under the provisions of the new law, which was enacted with a View to further disenfranchise the colored people in the black counties. In a letter to the Richmond, VA Daily Times, Treasurer Lewis, under date of July 28th, says: “The law itself affords every opportunity for the grossest frauds. Our special Constable is an exceptionally honest man, and did his duty according to the law, as he construed it, But by his wrong Construction, about 50 illiterates were disenfranchised. As I said before, owning to the honesty of the Constable little or no money was used, which was a great improvement over some of our former elections, but with the 1 Constable provision and with a dishonest constable, the use of money can be made a hundred times more dangerous than ever before, for the party who has the Constable can buy all the Floaters, for they cannot be divided and thus made less dangerous.” He adds: “ I do not speak from the standpoint of a disappointed office Seeker, having been elected by a majority of 137 in a total vote of 573, and my vote being largely in excess of any other canidate.” The situation is concisely stated. When the bosses choose to give a fair return they do so, and when the situation is regarded as desperate they changed accordingly and a majority their way can be rented. The idea is to work the law firly, in white counties, and unfairly in black ones. Truly the ways of some of these Democratic politicians are at times past finding out. Location Upper Right Quadrant Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context The New Election Law Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <i>Richmond Planet</i> Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1894-08-04 Title A name given to the resource The New Election Law Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Student Name Carlos Serrano Summary After black men are elected to replace white men in Norfolk’s city council, the Democrats are taken aback and backlash. Item Type Article Image No URL https://virginiachronicle.com/cgi-bin/virginia?a=d&d=RP18940804&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN------- Topic Voting Times Repeated Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound The Democrats of Norfolk, assisted by those in other sections of the state are endeavoring to make party Capital because 22 white men were discharged and 22 colored men put in their places as a result of the recent election in that City. These discharge white men went so far as to parade the streets of Norfolk with a banner calling attention to the fact that Negroes had been appointed to take their places. It seems strange that this should be when these Democrats were making overtures to be the same Negroes in order to secure their aid in carrying the election, and no doubt would have pledged what the Reform-Prohibitionist are carrying out. Remember the time when Democrat of this state wouldn't think of having anybody but Negroes to do that kind of work. We see it announced that an Excursion is to be given in order to raise money to assist these white men who were discharged, it being alleged that their families are in a destitute condition. From the above it would seem then that the city of Norfolk is expected to furnish work for one set of men during their lifetime, because they fail to save up anything for a “ rainy day,” while the Thousand who never have had a chance at the public crib are to suffer, and their families want, in order to benefit this favored few. It seems to us that these 22 white men should be thankful that they have been retained so long and proceeded to find some other employment rather than sit upon the curbstone sucking their thumbs, and yelling because they have lost . We think that the recognition given the colored brother is of the most moderate kind. He has as yet secured the most menial positions, To which the positions of janitor to the City Hall, and Keeper of the cemetery have been added. Mr.William Thorogood, the Intrepid leader of the colored forces has not as yet been provided for. Dr. Bowen is a candidate for the position of physician to the poor and there are numbers of colored men who would make efficient, sober, and conscientious police officers who could be relied upon not to sleep upon their beat or go in to see the white elephant, when they should be attending to the duties of the office. We think the colored Brethren have been very modest in their request and are only surprised that there should be any hesitation in granting them. Location Lower Left Quadrant Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Situation at Norfolk Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <i>Richmond Planet</i> Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1894-08-04 Title A name given to the resource Situation at Norfolk Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Student Name Cord Fox Summary White political leaders target the black community with educational requirement to vote. Item Type Article Image No URL https://virginiachronicle.com/cgi-bin/virginia?a=d&d=RP18950105.1.2&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN------- Topic Voting Times Repeated Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound Educational Qualification Argued The Petersburg, Va., Index Appeal says admirable things sometimes, and seems to be actuated by principles of right, equity and justice. In its issue of the 27th ult., it says: “The Baltimore Sun of last Tuesday printed a lengthy article, sent from the city on the subject of ballot reform in Virginia, in which it is assumed that the proposed constitutional convention in this state will consider the feasibility of an educational test for voting as a means of ballot reform in Virginia and for the preservation of certain sections of the state from Negro domination. The “Sun” editorially approves the suggestion as possibly the last thing that could be done under the circumstances. Just why so radical and sweeping a measure of the political disqualification should be enacted at this time is not clear to the understanding of persons who consider such matters from other viewpoints than that of party expediency. The application of such a test a quarter a century ago or more, when the Negro was first admitted to citizenship, would have been proper enough but the average Negro is not now what he was twenty-five years ago. It is not true that he is steeped in barbarism and ignorance, but, on the contrary, he has made wonderful progress in learning and in accumulation of wealth, and if the democratic party were wise enough to give him the proper encouragement, he would speedily solve the so-called Negro problem by dividing his vote between the two parties of the country.” The above is unquestionably true and so is what follows. Here it is: “Unfortunately the democratic party to an overflowing extent in the south, is a ring-governed party, and the very life of the ring depends on keeping the Negro in opposition and then howling about safety of our civilization.” Thank God! There is at least one white citizen in the South who votes the Democratic ticket and see this. And again: “Negro domination at the ballot box does not mean the elevation to power of illiterate men, for in the nature of things, it is one of the inevitable conditions that the office-holder must be able to read and write. In days of carpet-bagism, when the Negro had absolute control at the ballot-box, white men were put in all places of honor, emolument and responsibility, and our civilization perished not. The same was true under the Mahone regime. The above has been our contention right along. He speaks truly when he says: “But the condition operates not only against the negro, but also against the unlettered white man who has never felt the degrading influences of slavery, and who never had the advantage of free schools in the days of his youth and poverty. There are thousands of such men in this state – upright men, good citizens, and many of them considerable taxpayers. These men may be required to take up arms, and to fight and die in defense of the government. They are also assessed and taxed for the support of the government. Is there no reciprocal obligation on the part of the government further than to govern these men and to tax them? Is it right that they should fight in defense of the government, be taxed in support of the government, and yet have no voice in the control of that government?” The questions propounded are to the point and admit of no evasion. But how well this editor returns to the charge: “The correspondent of the “Sun” says that this argument sounds demagogic. If this is demagogic then Mr. Jefferson and all of his compeers who signed the declaration of independence and who aided in the establishment of this great republic, were demagogues. That great chart of liberty- the declaration of independence- which forms the cornerstone of this government of ours, lays it down as a cardinal principle that governments of desire, their powers from the [illegible]. The imputation of demagogism cannot stand in the light of such high precedents as these, and the attempt to deny suffrage to men, who have not forfeited that right by crime, merely because they have not such a smattering of learning as will enable them to read and write after a fashion, is nothing less than usurpation and exercise of arbitrary power. The right of the governed to a voice in the government, through the ballot-box is an inherent right acquired [illegible].” Was there ever anything more grandly put? Could language be handled more readily to maintain a position than this? He argues his case from a truly American standpoint, discards the subterfuges of language and refuses to dodge the issue behind a flow of rhetoric. How well he places the capstone upon his argument may ne seen when he says: “Revolutions do not go backward and the time has long since passed for the enactment of educational tests for voting in Virginia. A far more important need is the passage of a law that will secure honest voting, or rather an honest count of the vote in this state. That is the kind of ballot reform we want in Virginia.” So may it be. When the thousands of Virginians rise up, and speak out in defense of right with the same facility as has done this distinguished Virginian, a new star will have arisen in the commonwealth, and emblazoned above it in letter of magnificent splendor will be the one word, - Prosperity. The Petersburg, Va., Index-Appeal under date of Dec. 29th says: Among the educated colored men of the north T. T. Fortune, the editor of the New York Age, holds high rank. In the Age of the 27th inst., in commenting upon lynch-law in Texas, Fortune writes: "There are plenty of tough white men and tough black men in Texas. It is a toss as to which are the tougher, and the conditions would be vastly better if the toughs of both sorts were fewer; but there are more decent, self-respecting and self-reliant men of both races in Texas than there are toughs. Are we to spend all our time and attention and sympathy on the toughs and leave the honest people unmentioned? My head and my heart are not built that way; they are very evenly balanced forces, and enable me to denounce wrong wherever I find it and to commend right wherever I find it, as light is given me to see. " There are "tough" men of both race in every state in the union, and there will be doubtless as long as the world lasts. But the "tough" element among the Southern whites has never dominated the majority of the whites, but on the contrary has been kept under subjection. That this is true can be proven by the personnel of the Southern representation in congress and by the character of the men who administer the affairs of the several State governments. Our fair-minded contemporary makes a statement and submits proof in support of the same. Let us see. Because the personnel of the Southern representation in congress is satisfactory is no evidence that the tough element at home is not in the majority. It is but a practical demonstration of the so oft expressed opinion that intelligence will rule, ard will exercise its power even though it be in the minority, so far as numbers are concerned. When this intelligence is backed by money its rule is doubly certain and reasonably permanent. When a community or section condones crime to the extent of making no sincere effort to mete punishment, it becomes responsible for the crime itself and is “share-holder” in the atrocity. Some communities are more liberal than others. It is the business element, the wealthy, the capitalist, who see the suppression of crime the increase of their possessions, and in the multiplication of it the withering of their brightest prospects, and the diminution of their incomes. A minority of intelligence can and does control a majority of ignorance,- by fair means if it can; by deceptive means if it must. The Index Appeal says: There are also “tough” negroes, but they do not count for much except in the way of crime, and the great body of the race is quiet, peaceable, well content to work for its daily bread; and it is moreover, a most important, in fact it might be said indispensable quantity in Southern agricultural development. Well, said, sir. No one condemns the tough element of our population more than we. It does the race incalculable harm and should and must be sent to the rear. We will be forward in working reform and meteing punishment, and are willing to meet half-way liberal-minded white citizens who have set themselves to the performance of a similar task on their side of the line. But the Index-Appeal does not do us full justice when it says: Fortune doubtless is familiar with the tax statistics of the south, and probably he knows that in Virginia the whites pay more than 95 per cent. Of the whole amount collected for the support of the state government. The exact figures under the assessment of 1891, were as follows: whites, $2,836,620; negroes $103,565. The amount expended by the state for educational purposes is $997,929. Appropriated in the ratio of school attendance, the white free schools get $586,564; the negro free schools, 309,364- or three times the amount of taxes paid by the negro. When to this sum is added the amounts paid on account of the negroes for criminal expenses, normal schools and asylums, the whole foots up to $608,383- or six times the sum paid in by the blacks for the support of the government. The above is dangerous ground. Inasmuch as the constitution and laws of this country are designed to discountenance class legislation or divisions upon a basis of possessions it is entirely of question [illegible]. To insist upon this point, is to advocate the abolition of the public school system. Why should a man [illegible]. Here comes a delicate question and the argument which you used in advocacy of the rights of the illiterate comes into play. In case of war, sir, these same negroes and poor white men are liable to and will be called upon to assist in repelling a foreign invader and protecting the property of the man who is alleged to be education his children. It is a well-known axiom among labor leaders that as labor is the creator of all wealth, then all wealth belongs to labor. This is a fundamental principal, sir, of socialism, but from a stand point of ethics, it is no less true. It is hardly necessary for us to state that the Negro constitutes the labor of the south. The inference is apparent. For 250 years this has been true in the Southland. It should not be at all astounding, sir, that we charge that the prosperity which the south enjoys is based upon our unrequited toil and that one hundred years of free education and an exemption from taxation besides will hardly foot the bill. But why discuss this point? The land upon which we live is stolen ground. The fields which we cultivate belong to another. The air we breath was given by the Creator free of charge, and the sun which gives life to our being and to the vegetation upon which we feed and animals which do our bidding comes from Him. Those who acknowledge allegiance to Him and those who do not, those who pay taxes and those who do not are the recipients of these favors. If these blessings come to us from an unseen hand, why should we deny to our brother a full enjoyment of them or be any less beneficent than the Father who watches over us all. And right here comes the doctrine of the fatherhood of God, and the brotherhood of man. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” is a golden rule and to deny to us education or a full enjoyment of its facilities would be a violation of this divine injunction. The brother-in-black demands and insists upon the same treatment accorded any other citizen of a similar condition and laboring under the same retarding influences. Discard the color qualification, which we cannot help, and we will stand shoulder to should to the white man of similar opportunities and equal possessions. Lynch-law must go! Location Upper Left Quadrant Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 18950105-Educational Qualification Argued-Fox Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <i>Richmond Planet</i> Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1895-01-05 Title A name given to the resource Educational Qualification Argued Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Student Name Cord Fox Summary Intended “reforms” in voting policies backfire as the number of voters drops. Item Type Article Image No URL https://virginiachronicle.com/cgi-bin/virginia?a=d&d=RP18950112.1.2&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN------- Topic Voting Times Repeated Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound In Favor of Honest Elections The Richmond, Va., Daily Times, under the caption of “No tricks about the Ballot” in its issue of the 6th inst., says: "It is very plain that reformation elections in the South is taking strong hold in that region itself. This is the first fruit of an abandonment of the Republican party idea of trying to make men honest by bayonets, spies and United States marshals. It is the highest possible testimonial to the virtue that lies in the principle of allowing every locality to control its own affairs. When this is done it is certain that the morale and the virile elements of that locality will dominate it in time.” Before we could warn it of the danger, it had scented it from afar, and remarks: “There is a danger, however, in the progress of the movement. The politicians in the office and those seeking office will endeavor to warp the move into constitutional conventions to disfranchise the Negroes by a trick” [rest of paragraph not readable.] And again: “ Tricks invariably return to plague those who resort to them. In Mississippi they thought they had ended all their troubles when they adopted a Constitution directing registrars to register none but those who could read and understand the Constitution of the State. It was supposed of course, that the registrars would find all white men capable of understanding the Constitution, but no Negroes capable of it. We do not know what the facts are, but we have recently seen it stated that out of about 230,000 voters in the State only about 39,000 voted in the last congressional election in November. The statement that white men, though they can read, will not go up to be questioned and badgered about their learning of inquisitorial and possibly impertinent registrars. As we say, we know nothing of the facts in the Mississippi case, but it is pain that that is one of the most natural consequences possible. Let us cut ourselves loose from all suggestions of this sort and stand on the good, old fashioned Democratic doctrine of manhood suffrage. Everything will work out right when we hold on to the honestly and in good faith, and where that is the rule the strong and the moral elements amongst the people will control.” Oh, when will the white south realize the wisdom expressed, and heed the admonition which the liberal-minded element is administering. The Daily Times blazes the way to lasting prosperity. Will the South arouse from its lethargy and recognize great economic principles or will she continue to be steeped in iniquity and sin and plunge headlong into the abyss of financial disaster regardless of the signposts which line the way? Location Lower Left Quadrant Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 18950112-Honest Election-Fox Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <i>Richmond Planet</i> Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1895-01-12 Title A name given to the resource In Favor of Honest Elections Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Student Name Cord Fox Summary The Attorney General of Virginia argues that it is lawful to present several types of ballots, though the law states that there should only be one. Item Type Article Image No URL https://virginiachronicle.com/cgi-bin/virginia?a=d&d=RP18950216.1.2&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN------- Topic Voting Times Repeated Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound The discussion between the Daily Times and the Richmond Dispatch relative to fair elections has become decidedly interesting and the latter journal’s explanation of why the Walton Law was engrafted upon the Anderson-McCormick Electoral Boards Law decidedly amusing. All of this was done, it alleges, to protect the few thousand Negro-Democratic voters in the state from the prying eyes of their Republican associates. Secrecy is absolutely essential so far as the Negro is concerned although it is advised that the Democratic special constable be called in to mark his ballot for him. The fact that the Attorney General of Virginia rendered an opinion declaring that it was lawful for the Electoral Boards to have printed several kinds of ballots with the names of the candidates thereon disarranged is a telling indictment against that official and opens the way for severe criticism, as is also the action of the Secretary of the Commonwealth in sending circular upon the subject to the Electoral Board. The law provides that there shall be but one ballot, not several kinds of ballots. Thus the officials of the state have been guilty of practicing trickery upon the people of the state. This was done to ensure party supremacy and demonstrates conclusively to what depths into the mire of politics some sworn officials can be made to go. A voter unquestionably had the right to take any step he might see fit to mark his ballot, be it to count the number of names from the top, the length of the line or to “go it blind,” and trust to luck as to whether he would scratch out the proper names or not. The people of the country are watching the outcome. The Times has proven its case, and ballot-box thieves have been convicted as a result of its startling exposures. It is in favor of honesty. It condemns trickery. No right-thinking man can fail to endorse its course. No true Christina can hesitate in giving it abundant encouragement and support. Location Upper Left Quadrant Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 18950216-An Interesting Discussion-Fox Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <i>Richmond Planet</i> Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1895-02-16 Title A name given to the resource An Interesting Discussion