The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1836-09-23
Van Hurcn opposed 10
Universal Suffrage.
Proceedings Of the Nep YORK. Convention
Proof posttire and undeaidbIp.


entitled Report of the Proceeding ana
Debates Of The Convention Of 1921, assem-
Died for the purpose Of amending the Con
stitution Of the State of Nep York, contain
ing all ofcial documents relating TO N,
subject" The authority of this work vii
not be disputed by any one.
In page ia, we find the following
{" Mr.. n. Sanford, from the committee
appointed to consider the right OF suffrage
and the qualifications Of persons to be elect
ed, reported that the committee having con
sldered the sui ject referred TO them, recon.
mend the following amemendment 10 the
constitution:
/. Every white male citizen Of the age
oil twenty one years, who shall have resided
III tiiis State, SIX months next preceding any
election, and shall within one year preceding
the election, have paid any tax assessed ~.
on HIM, or shall within one year preceding
the election, have been assessed to work on
a public road, and shall have performed the
work assessed upon him, or shall have paid
an equivalent IN money therefos, according
to law, or shall within one year preceding
the election have been enrolled in the militia
OF tins State, and shall have served therein
according 10 law, shall be entitled to vote al
such election, in the town or ward IN which
he shall reside, for Governor, Lieutenant.
Governor, Senators, Members of the Assem-.
bly, and all other officers, who are or NAV
be elected by the people"
on THE QUALIFICATIONS TO VOTE.
zen. Root observed, that lie thought the
report Of the committee was in some re.
spects objectionable. There was danger
OF extending the right of suffrage too far
There was danger Of extending to negroes !.
or IN the polite language of the day, 10
cofoured people. 1t was 10 his opinion 10.
expedlent to admit Strolling votes. With
u view 10 prevent 1t, and 10 compel those TO
contribute 10 the support Of the government,
III which they claim 10 participate, and
whose protection they receive, he would
now move TO strike out all that part Of the
iirst section OF the report which follow the
word years and 10 insert in lieu thereof
an amendment, the principle Of which he
had previously suggested.
The amendment Was thereupon read, as
follows.
Every male citizen Of the age Of twenty.
one Years. who shall have been one wear an
Inhabiiant Of Ills State, and Tor six months
resident IN the town, county, or district
where he may oiIer bis vote, and shall have
been, for the year next preceding, assessed
and shall have actually paid tax, either to
the State, county, or ON The highways or,
being armed and equipped according to law,
shall have performed within that year, mill.
lary duty in the militia OF this State; and
The sons OF such citizens, being between the
age OF twenty and twenty-five years,
shall be entitled to vote Id the town where
they may then actually reside, for any cleo.
tive officer IN this State. But no person
Shall be allowed so to vote, who would mol,
Il an able bodied man, aud within the prop.
er aye prescribed by the laws Of the Uuited
States, be liable 10 the performance ofmiitia
duty; unless exempted by the laws Of the
United States, or Of this State, ON account
OF some public trust, or particular business,
deemed by the legislative authority, TO be
specially beneficial 10 the United States, or
this State, or unless he shall have paid,
within the year next proceeding his offering
his vote, fair equivalent 10 money, for his
personal services and equipments; TO be
determined by the Legislature, according to
the estimated expense IN time aud equip
Inants oI nm orItnor,. aIla Il
iic,ent militia man; Prorided, That this
prohibition shall no; extend TO any person
above the age required by law for the per.
Torrance of militia duty, who would have
been liable TO perform the same, or to pay
an equivalent therefore, before arriving TO
that age.
In page 375, We read as follows -
Gen. Talmadge moved 10 strike out, " or
on the highways"
Col. Young spoke in favor of this clause,
against striking out.
Gen. Tallmadge was ia favor Of striking
out, and of combining the qualification of
potes to such as do military duty and PAY
TAxEs.
Col. Young replied, and was opposed 10
strike out.
MIR. VAN BUREN, supported the mo.
ton for striking out. The PEOPLE
WERE NOT PREPARED FOR UNI.
VERSAL SUFFRAGE.
Gen. Root replied, that if the clause was
stricken out, it would dissrauchise hume.
rous class who ough, to vote.
Col. Young remarked that the very men
whom we now propose to dsfranchise voted
for the members of the Convention and