Virginia's 1902 Constitution: Who Were The Authors?

The Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1901–1902, also known as Virginia's last general constitutional convention, produced the Virginia Constitution of 1902. The convention was dominated by Democrats such as the state party chairman, J. Taylor Ellyson, and the convention's president, John Goode. The convention aimed to restrict the voting rights of African Americans and solidify white supremacy in the state. The resulting constitution created stricter voting requirements, effectively disenfranchising African Americans and many working-class whites, and mandated racial segregation in public schools. It remained in effect until 1971, shaping Virginia's conservative politics in the 20th century.

Explore related products

Constitution of Virginia

$9.97 $9.97

Civil Government of Virginia: A Text-book for Schools Based Upon the Constitution of 1902 and Conforming to the Laws Enacted in Accordance Therewith

$0.99 $9.87

Virginia Constitution 2018 Edition

$8.88 $8.88

The Constitution of the United States of America: The Declaration of Independence, The Bill of Rights

$9.99 $9.99

The Constitution of the State of Virginia, (1902) [Leather Bound]

$15.95

Acts and joint resolutions, amending the Constitution, of the General Assembly of the State of Virginia. Volume 1902-1903 1903 [Leather Bound]

$20.95

The 1902 Constitution of Virginia was written by delegates at the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1901-1902

The delegates chose not to submit their new constitution to Virginia voters for ratification, as they believed it would not be willingly accepted. The convention lasted almost a year, from June 12, 1901, to June 26, 1902, and resulted in a constitution that drastically reduced the number of eligible voters, particularly African Americans. The 1902 Constitution created stricter voting requirements, such as poll taxes and literacy tests, which served as barriers to voting for both African Americans and poor whites.

The primary purpose of the 1902 Constitution of Virginia was to disenfranchise African Americans, who made up about 36% of the state's population in 1900. The convention's president denounced the Fifteenth Amendment, which prohibited denying the right to vote based on race, as "a crime against civilization and Christianity." The delegates agreed that the goal was to secure white supremacy in the state, with one delegate stating that the convention's objective was "the elimination of the negro from the politics of the state."

The 1902 Constitution also included other provisions, such as the imposition of racial segregation in public schools and the abolition of the county court system. It remained in effect until July 1, 1971, when a new constitution was adopted that explicitly forbade government discrimination based on race, colour, national origin, or sex.

The convention was dominated by Democrats, including J. Taylor Ellyson, John Goode, and Andrew J. Montague

The 1902 Constitution of Virginia was drafted by a convention of 100 delegates, including 11 Republicans and one Independent. The convention was dominated by Democrats, notably state party chairman J. Taylor Ellyson, convention president John Goode, and the party's gubernatorial candidate, Andrew J. Montague.

The convention was convened in Richmond on June 12, 1901, and lasted almost a year until June 26, 1902. The delegates were elected by voters to write the fundamental law of Virginia, following increasing public dismay over electoral fraud and corruption under U.S. Senator Thomas S. Martin. The convention was marked by a desire to restrict the voting rights of African Americans and solidify white supremacy in the state.

J. Taylor Ellyson, as the state party chairman, played a significant role in shaping the proceedings and ensuring the Democratic agenda was advanced. John Goode, as the convention's president, set the tone for the assembly by declaring that voting rights, especially those of African Americans, would be a central focus. He justified the restriction of suffrage by stating that it was a social right regulated by society and that Virginia could determine its eligibility criteria as long as it did not violate the US Constitution.

Andrew J. Montague, as the gubernatorial candidate of the Democratic Party, represented the party's interests and priorities in the convention. He worked to ensure that the resulting constitution reflected the Democratic platform and promoted their political goals. The 1902 Constitution of Virginia was marked by stricter voting requirements, effectively disenfranchising African Americans and many working-class whites. It also imposed racial segregation in public schools and solidified Jim Crow laws.

The work of this convention, dominated by Democrats, had a significant impact on Virginia's politics in the 20th century, shaping it into a conservative Democratic stronghold that resisted progressive reforms and civil rights advancements for decades.

The convention aimed to restrict voting rights, particularly for African Americans, through poll taxes, literacy tests, and understanding clauses

A search reveals that the Constitution of Virginia was written and adopted in 1902 by a convention delegates elected specifically for that purpose. This new constitution replaced the previous one, which had been in effect since 1869. The 1902 Constitution was designed to firmly establish white supremacy and disenfranchise African Americans, ensuring they had no political power in the state.

The convention that drafted this document was dominated by white supremacists, and their primary goal was to restrict the voting rights of African Americans. They achieved this through a range of measures, including poll taxes, literacy tests, and understanding clauses, which were designed to be discriminatory barriers to voting. These measures were not simply about assessing an individual's qualification to vote but were intentionally created to be difficult or impossible for African Americans to fulfill, thus ensuring their exclusion from the political process.

Poll taxes required voters to pay a fee in order to cast their ballot. This was a significant sum, especially for African Americans, many of whom were impoverished due to systemic racism and discriminatory practices in employment and land ownership. Literacy tests were also employed, requiring voters to demonstrate their ability to read and write, often including a complicated passage that needed to be read aloud and explained. These tests were applied in a discriminatory manner, with African Americans often being subjected to more rigorous and challenging tests than white voters.

Understanding clauses were another tool used to disenfranchise African Americans. These clauses required voters to interpret and explain specific sections of the state or federal constitution to the satisfaction of the registrar, who was often a white official with strong racist biases. The subjective nature of these tests meant that African Americans were frequently failed, regardless of their actual understanding of the constitution. These measures were not applied equally to all voters; instead, they were used selectively to target African Americans and ensure their political exclusion.

The 1902 Constitution of Virginia, crafted by this convention, had a profound impact on the state's political landscape, effectively silencing the voices of African Americans for decades. It is a stark example of how legal documents and voting requirements can be manipulated to serve racist agendas and underscore the ongoing struggle for equal voting rights in the United States.

Explore related products

Draft of the Constitution of Virginia as Finally Adopted by the Convention and Referred to the Committee on Final Revision and Adjustment of the Various Provisions of the 1902 [Leather Bound]

$29.95

The Constitution of the State of Virginia: A Quick Reference Guide

$15

Framing the Solid South: The State Constitutional Conventions of Secession, Reconstruction, and Redemption, 1860-1902

$29.99 $37.99

Reconstruction and the Constitution, 1866-1876

$1.95 $12.95

Constitution and By Laws, Officers and Members

$22.95

The Constitution Decoded: A Guide to the Document That Shapes Our Nation

$12.81 $16.99

The new constitution included provisions for racial segregation in public schools and the abolition of county courts

The Constitution of Virginia has undergone several revisions since its original enactment in 1776. One of the most significant revisions took place in 1902, when a new constitution was adopted that included provisions for racial segregation in public schools and the abolition of county courts.

The 1902 Constitution of Virginia was the result of a convention held in Richmond, with 100 delegates elected to participate. The convention was convened with the explicit purpose of disenfranchising African Americans, who made up nearly 36% of the state's population at the time. The delegates sought to exclude black voters from the democratic process by creating stricter voting requirements, such as literacy tests and poll taxes, which were designed to be difficult for black voters to meet.

One of the most controversial aspects of the 1902 Constitution was its provision for racial segregation in public schools. This built upon a history of racial segregation in the United States, which saw the separation of blacks and whites in various aspects of public life, including transportation, public accommodations, recreational facilities, churches, and cemeteries. The 1902 Constitution also led to the abolition of county courts in Virginia, further solidifying the power of the state government.

The impact of the 1902 Constitution was far-reaching, resulting in a significant reduction in voter turnout and solidifying the power of the Democratic Organization in Virginia for decades. The restrictions on voting rights and the mandate for school segregation were eventually overturned through a series of US Supreme Court cases, beginning with Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, and federal legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

The legacy of the 1902 Constitution and its impact on racial segregation and voting rights in Virginia highlights a dark chapter in the state's history. The efforts to disenfranchise African Americans and enforce segregation were a stark departure from the ideals of equality and democracy and served as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for civil rights and racial equality in the United States.

The 1902 Constitution remained in effect until 1971, shaping Virginia's conservative politics and resistance to civil rights advances

The 1902 Constitution of Virginia was enacted without a popular vote or ratification referendum. The convention that drafted it was dominated by Democrats, and its primary purpose was to disenfranchise as many Black voters as possible, as well as many working-class whites. The constitution created stricter voting requirements, such as literacy tests and poll taxes, which disproportionately affected Black voters. It also mandated racial segregation in public schools, abolished the county court system, and created a new legal enforcement of Jim Crow laws.

The pressure for revising the Virginia Constitution mounted in the 1960s due to significant social and political changes. The state's population had increased by about 250% between 1900 and 1970, and the growth of urban and suburban centers shifted the balance of power away from the long-dominant Byrd Organization. Additionally, new federal limits on voting rights restrictions and demands for more and better public services signaled the need for a new constitution.

In 1968, Governor Mills Edwin Godwin Jr. proposed that the General Assembly revise the state's constitution and submit a new document to the voters for ratification. An eleven-member bipartisan commission was appointed to recommend revisions, and the General Assembly approved the main body of the new constitution in 1969. The voters of Virginia overwhelmingly approved the proposed constitution in 1971, with 72% voting in favor.

The 1971 Constitution made significant legal advances, repudiating the white supremacist taint of 1902. It forbade government discrimination based on race, color, national origin, or sex, and guaranteed all children in the state the right to a high-quality public education. It also addressed environmental concerns and made the government more responsive to the evolving needs of the state's citizens.

Frequently asked questions