Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1840-08-15

qualification would be different from what it had
been former occasion, lie would give a orief
explanation. The qualifications reported by the
first committee were Of three kinds, viz:--The pay
ment of money tax-the performance of military
dnty-and working on the highways The two
! former had met his decided appreciation. To the
latter he wished to add the additional qualification
that the eector should, if he paid no tax, performed
no military duty, but offered his vote the sole
ground that he had lubored the highway, also
! be householder"
Mr. Van Buren, then proceeded to give history
of the progress Of the voting on the subject and
stated as a reason, why he should not now gain at
tempt to add the qualification of householder, to
the highway qualification, that if he did, it would
be running The hazard of the rentroduction of the
proposition of the gentleman from Washington,
abandoning all qualifications, and throwing open
! the ballot boxes TO every body.
Mr.. Van Buren, then went on to point out the
many evils that would flow from wholly unre-
strcted right of suffrage.
First" he said, at would give to the city Of
| New York, about %, 600 votes, whilst, under the
liberal extension of the right or the choice of dele
gates, to this convention, she had but about thirteen
fourteen thousand; that the character Of the in
creased number Of votes would be such would
render their elections rather curse than blessing
"Secondy, it would not only be injurious to them.
but to the northern and western part Of the State,
&c the additional representation which next year
to be distributed among the counties, would, in
stead of going principally to the west, be surrender
ed to the worst population of the old counties and
cities"
"Thrdly, the door would be entirely closed
against retreat whatever might be our after cOnric
tion founded experience, to the evil tendency
Of this extended suffrage"
lie said the highway tax was within the control
of the legislature, and might hereafter be confined
to property. For one hundred years at least this
would afford protection against the evils apprehend-
ed. He would, therefore, Notwithstanding that his
desire to have the qualification Of householder, adj
ded the electors of the third description remained
unchanged, accept the report of the committee Us
it was, with the addition of military qualification,
which he thought ought to he adopted for the sake
of principle, if for no other reason.
The question was taken-affrmative SO, mega
tive Ii. See Jour. of Con. 1863.
No 5.-Martin Van Buren, in favor of freehold
qualification for negroes, in exercising the right Of
, suffrage.
The next subject in order was the compromise re-
ported by the committee Of thirteen, allowing
gro to vote, provided he had three years residence
in the State. year in the county, and was seized
of freehold estate of the value of two hundred arc
q fifty dollars over and above all debts and incum.
brances charged thereon, and shall have been actu-
> ally rated and paid tax thereon.
n Gen. Root moved that the committee rise and re-
port. "He hoped they would not Gt being o'clock
The motion to rise and report was lost.
= Jour. Con. page $50.
: Mr. Van Buren, said he had voted against tota
aud unqualified exclusion Tof the negroes for he
would not draw revenue from them, and yet deny
to them the right of sutfrage,-bu this proviso met
his appreciation, they were exempted from taxation
until they had qualified themselves to vote. The
right not denied to exclude any portion of the
community who will not exercise the right of sutf,
y rage in it's purity. This held out inducements tc
industry, and will receive his support
: Jour. of Con. page 376.
p The question was taken on allowing negroes t,
c VOTE as above stated and decided in the Affirmative
, ayes II, noes 81 Mr.. Van Buren, voting in the af
: firmative.-Jour. Of Con. 31S.
= The subject was reported 10 the Convention an
q tho question taken the whole section inclu
J. ding provsos, &c. ana decidrd in the affirmative
IS ayes II, noes 81, Mr. Van Buren, voting in the al
II irmativc.--Jour. of Con. page 557
d The section thus adopted and made part of tn
Constitution of the State Of New York. is follows
ARTICLE SECOND.
=, Sec l. Every male citizen, Of tic age o
\ twentv-o one years, who shall have been an nhabi
Is tan Of this State year preceding any election
re- and for the last six months resident of the tow
J. or county where he may offer his vote; and Shal
have within the year next preceding the election
N paid tax to the State or county, assessed upon hi
Sc real or personal property; or shall by law be eX
ye cmpted from taxation; vr being armed or equipped
Mt according to law, shall have performed within tina
year, military duty in the militia Of this State; o
~ who shall be exempted from performing militia r.
nj duty in consequence Of being fireman in any city
is town. or village in this State; and Also every nal
d. citizen of the age Of twentyone years, who sha
te have been, for three years next preceding sue
election, an nhabtant OF this State; and for the la,
m year resident in the town or county, where lie ma
y offer bis vote; and shall have been within the la
= year, assessed to labor upon the highways, an
shall have performed the labor, or paid an equvi
20 lent therefor, according to law; shall be entitled
Or vote in the town ward where he actually reside
and not elsewhere, for all officers that now are,
n hereafter may lie, elective by the people, But Il
e. man Of color, unless lie shall have been for thr,
Of years citizen Of this State and for one year ucl
preceding any election, shall be seized and posses
ed of freehold estate of the value of two hundrC
ie and fifty dollars over and above all debts and il
x cumbrances charged thereon; and shall nave bee
TO actually rated and paid tax thereon, shall be
t. titled to vote such election. And no person
nd color shall be subject to direct taxation, unless
shall be seized and possessed Of such real estate
ne aforesaid
he The hove is faithful and candid abstract
' =, the votes and speeches of Martin Van Buren, i
Al the New York Convention of 1921, as repore,
nd We have the volrme ofpfoceedngs published
he Albany, in the same year, in our possession, al
ed any person who feels disposed his full liberty
Nv access for the purpose ofcompaIng the above wi
te! the original
We invite all who doubt it, Friends Of IN
nj versa suffrage what think you Of the man tn
nos uttered the language contained ia the above spe
md chcS and gave the votes above specified, in It
trirtion n1 that strraI rioht7 VIII anu man l.,