1904.] OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES. 693

their more favored brethern. We believe that such
treatment of our weaker fellow citizens not only in-
jures those against whom it is directed, but will
re-act upon the so called superior race, and tend
to lower it morally and spiritually.

As to the bill limiting the franchise, we do not care
at this time to discuss whether or not an educational
qualification for suffrage is wise, but we object to the
legislation that has been approved by the Senate on
various grounds, among which are the following :

1. That it treats the two races unequally.

2. That it places a premium upon white illiteracy.

3. That the educational test provided is one which
will be extremely difficult to carry out jnslly and that
it will open the door to fraud and grave abuses, with
the resulting practical disfranchisement of nearly all
the negroes. This would not only deprive them of a
strong incentive in their efforts to elevate themselves,
but would even more tend to degrade them and to in-
crease the number of the immoral and criminal among
them. No good, but much evil will result to both
races.

We appeal to you, therefore, to refuse to give your
approval to these measures as proposed, for by so do-
ing, we believe that the cause of equal justice and good
government will be promoted.

JAMES CAREY, JR.,
MILES WHITE, J K.,
O. EDWARD JANNEY,
THOMAS BURLING HULL, JR.
R,. HENRY HOLME.

ORDERS.

On motion of Mr. Miller, it was

Ordered, That Mr. R. E. Lee Hall, be requested to
read to the House his original poetic production dedi-
cated to the Members of the House of Delegates, ses-
sion of 1904.

Which was referred to Committee on Expiring
Laws.