The Convention Discussing

The Constitutional Convention of Virginia considers whether it should implement the grandfather clause, the educational qualification, or the understanding clause, but are a bit hesitant to proceed.

Hot time there- fight over commission.
The legislators angry- The Suffrage Question- Much talk and but little work.

The unconstitutional “Constitutional” Convention is here yet afflicting the citizens of Virginia with its useless oratory. It is in a most embarrassing position. It occupies the hall of the House of Delegates and the legislatures of Virginia is seriously hampered on this account.

Legislature angry.

To make bad matters worse, the legislature looks with jealous eyes on the convention, and the result is that the members speak in contemptuous terms of the latter body.
No subject has awakened more bitter comment than the report of the committee on establishment of a corporation commission.

Too much talk.

This has aroused the worst feeling among the contending factions. The unconstitutional “Constitutional” Convention has indulged in so much random talk that a proposition was offered to limit debate.
This was defeated and as a means of “evening matters up,” it was decided to meet twice a day.

The suffrage question.

The discussion of the suffrage question seems to have brought forth no proposition which has met with anything like unanimous support.
Some want the grandfather clause, some want the educational qualification, some want the understanding clause, and some believe in letting well enough a bone and stick to the old outrageous Anderson--McCormick patent double-back action disenfranchising law.

Would discuss all night.

The discussion of the suffrage question elicited so much debate that it was decided to have conferences of the Democratic members every night, where talks could be indulged in. This did very well for a time, but there seemed to be no end to the discussion even by this method and the worst hopes have been realized for the corporation commission provision has brought on a flood of talk which has now extended into the time and place held by the Negro disenfranchising contingent.

Postponed the meetings.

The meetings of the Suffrage Conference have been accordingly postponed. As to when the unconstitutional “Constitutional” Convention will adjourn, some think it will be next summer, some next winter, and some at the time of the next flood.
The colored people are indifferent.

“The Convention Discussing,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed April 24, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/42.