Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1840-08-13
MR.. VAN BUREN AND THE RIGHT
OF SUFFRAGE.

OF the Stale OF New YORK, has been much
misrepresented, by giving garbled and
one-sided extracts. Before the amended
constitution was adopted, property quail
iication was necessary to enable person
to vote for all the officers that were elect
ed by the people. Mr.. Van Buren and
his democratic associates we're in favor
of extending the right of suffrage; but
some Of them feared that to1 great an ex-
tension--giving the right to black and
white without distinction-"would not be
sanctioned by public appreciation, and
would occasion the rejection of the whole
by the people," who we're to decide
whether the constitution, as amended,
should be adopted or not.
Not having the Journal of the Conven-
ton, wecopy from extracts from the Jour
nal, published in the Madisonian.
Wednesday, Sept. 10Th 1921.
Mr.. Sanford, from the committee ap-
pointed, reported that the committee hav-
ing considered the subjects referred to
them, recommended the following amend
ments to the constitution.
Ist. Every white male citizen of the
age of twenty-one years, who shall have
resided in the State, six months, next
preceding the election, have paid any tax
assessed upon him, or shall, within one
year preceding any election have been
assessed to work on public road and
shall have performed the work assessed
upon him, or shall have paid an equiva-
lent in money, therefor, according TO
law, or shall within one year preceding
the election have been enrolled in the
Militia in this state, and shall have served
therein according TO law, shall be entitled
to vote at such election in the town or
ward in which he shall reside, for Govern
or, Lieutenant Governor, Senators, mem.
bers Of Assembly, and all other officers
who are 0. may be elective by the people.
Jour. Con. page l34.
A motion was made to strike out the
word "white," which motion Mr.. Van
Buren, voted for. His reasons for so do
ing are given below.
September %, 1921.
Chief Justice SPENCER moved to
amend Mr.. Roots amendment, by requir-
ing an interest in law or equity, in lands,
tenements, or heredilamcnls, of the val
ue of $3.50, as a qualification Of voters
for State Senators.-Jour. of Convention,
page 2l5.
Mr.. Van Buren, opposed this amend
ment.-See Jour. of Con-, page 255, &c.
After a long debate, the question on
the amendment of Chief Justice Spencer,
was taken by ayes and noes, and decided
in the negative, ayes 10, nOes 100, Mr..
Van Buren voting in the negative.-Jour.
of Con-, page 270.
After discussions on some other amend
m6nts, the next subject in order was the
compromise reported by the committee
of thirteen, allowing a negro to vote,
provided he had three years residence in
the State, one year in the county, and was
seized of freehold estate of the value
of two hundred and fifty dollars over and
above all debts and membranes char
ged thereon, and shall have been actually
rated and paid tax thereon Jour. Con.
page $50.
Mr.. Van Buren, said he had voted
against a total and unqualified exclusion
! [of the negroes] for he would not draw a
revenue from them, and let deny them
the right of suffrage,-but This provision
met his appreciation, they were exempt
ed from taxation until they had qualified
themselves to vote. The right was not de-
MED, to exclude any portion Of the COM
munity who will not exercise the right
of suffrage in its purity. This held out
inducements to industry, and will receive
his support.-Jour. of Com page 376.
The question was taken On allowing ne
groes to vote, as above sttted, and deci-
ded in the affirmative, ayes "a, noes "a,
Mr.. Van Buren, voting in the affirmative.
Jour. of Con. 37s.
The section as adopted and made part
of the Constitution of the State of New
York, is as follows:
ARTICLE SECOND.
Sec. 1. Every male citizen, of the age
of twenty-one years, who ! hall have been
an inhabitant of this state one year pre-.
ceding any election, and for the last six
months a resident of the fwn or county
where he may offer his yote; and shall
have within the year nexl preceding the
election, paid tax 10 the State or Coun
ty, assessed upon his rd al or persona
property; or shall by law be exempted
from taxation; or being a tmed or equip
ped according to law, shall have perform
: ed within that year, military duty in tht
/ militia of this State; or who shall be ex
empted from performing military duty il
consequence of being fireman in any
cty,town or village in this State; and also,
every male citizen of the age Of twentyonC
years, who shall have been, for three year
I 4 4 n - IL