Rhode-Island constitutionalist. [volume] (Providence [R.I.]) 1834-1834, 1834-04-07
oAaAA22 ~ ~S>aN IN

~
aud which led to the Revolutionary contest IL Is still
an evil though visited upon large posson of the peo-
pie by their own fellow citizens Is II we've unjust for
our foretaters 10 be taxed without representations Is
equally just for their descendants Ia he 30 taxed by
their brethren, ms long they have no voice in deter
mining either The quantity appropriation. How, let
be asked, the duties on those articles Of foreign
impor:ation which consumed In this State, paid
by the body Of the consumers who consist as well OF
holders Of the owners of the soil. The ex
penses OF the General Government, as we well know,
nre paid without any resort To direct taxation. The
freeh0lders psy their full proportion 10 govern
nent la The shape Of duties, and yet they have part
In national affairs becose ihUse only can vote for
Representatives. Ia Top sress, who voters for men,
bers of the most popu branch Of the State Legislature
And these voters ave exclusively the owners of the SOIL
This Injustice is 81 papable that we think II must ex'
tort the confession 0f all who give II moments aten-
lion. onght ~ not 10 be remedied!
The objection that the non freeholders, if admitted,
viii vote away the money of other people, comes with
very ~ grace from those who are now voting away
the money Of these very nireeholders, without theif
consent.
The present system is also inconsistent with itself.
II excludes intelligent aud upright men from the polls,
because their business Is such that the possession o
the requisite landed qualification impractcable Ana
yet IN many Instances they bound to the SOIL ny
species OF real property, consisting In houses, work
Shops &C. but upon land eased TO them for term OF
years LIE estate enI tiles man 10 vote lease or
W yeirs does not. Is this consistency!
an,-the present system of voting Is opposed 10
ihe srirto the Constitution of the United states. Ihat
Constitution c0ntemplates no such distinction among
the citizens as our law creales. guarantees 10 each
State republican form of g0vernmentj the very ma
ture (which Is 10 extend the right Of voting To ma
joriy of its citizens. live venerate that Instrument
why should we any longer withhold those privileges
which II intends 10 confer?
Another objection to law Of restriction, s, TINT
opposed to the theory aud practice of all tile other
states with single partial exception. In North Caro-
INA, freehold Is sil required to vote ior Schaor
Ihs IL now the rhy remaining state In winch the ris
TO vote Tor any oiicer confined exclusively 10 iahd
| holders.
Ihe following Is a Table OF the onalihcatons oi Vo-
tsrs IN all the states, derived rom careful exahiia
| tion of each of their Constitutions.
MAINE Citizenship OF the united states, anu three
months next preceding) state residence Cnaxed III
dians excluded.
NEW Hampshire. lnhabiance anu payment OF iaxes
MAssAcHusErrs. Citizenship; one years state, aud
SIX months next preCcdng) town or district residence
aud payment oftaxes.
CeNNEcrcur. Citizenshlp of the Uniied states and
se'temeh III Tue Sta'e WIN freehold o seven dollars
yeary 'ane, ana SIX months preceding town residence
or years performance u military duty-or, the
paymeh, OF taxes, WIN good nioai Character Blacks
excluded
NEhhoNr' ohc years lheht preViousl residence,
WIN quiet ana pcaceabe behaviour, ana an oath To
vote according to conscience touching any matter
lhnt concerns the STATE
RHODE lsLASp. lnhabitance In town where vote IL
oered with real este to the full value of i dollars
Or which shhll rent Tor seven dollars per nnnum-or,
ncng tne eioest son Oi to the same amount
Young by writing name ON back OF ticket,-same in
NEW YORK. Citizenship, with one years state and
SIX month (next prevous town or county. residence
and payment "i a TAX within the year preceding an
erection unless exempted-or, performance Of military
dnty within That year, unless exemped-or, perform
ance o' aoor upon the highways (unlcss an epuiva-