Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-06-16

upon his real or personal property. II not ex-
cmpted by law from taxation; or who should
perform military duty in the militia, " not ex-
cnp,cd IN consequence OF beIng-a fireman: or
who should labor upon the highways or pay
an equlvalep, for such labor; aud 10 men of
colour who should be seized and possessed Of
a freehold estate Of the value of $3.50, over
and above all debts and incumbranccs there
on, and who paid tax upon such estate.
or the Convention which thus established
and limited the righ, Of suffrage, Mr. Van Blu
rem was member. The extension of the
night OF suffrage, as II nor oiisis is this State,
was effected nj IA later day, by the amendments
OF 1896, and without the aid of New lork's
"iayurite SON"
We state these facts PRELIMINARY TO an cN-
animation of MIR. Van Buren's course in the
Convention OF 1921. that the reader may have
clear idea of the history of the extension of
the elective franchise in New York, and thus
Be able nsore correctly 10 understand Mr.. Van
Buren's position in reference 10 il. II is con-
mon trick Of Loco Foco pariZans TO assert
that Mr.. Van Buren, was in favor Of ian ex-
tension" OF the right OF suffrage in this State.
and literally the assertion is true. lie Uds in
favor of extending that right further than the
old Constitution Of l717 extended IL, bW he
'cds not IN Joror Of extending IL 10 thousands
~ rollers rho non ENJOY us exercise IN Mis
State. He was neither in favor of universal
suffrage, nor was he friendly to the near ap-
proach to it which we have at length happily
arrived at, IN spite of his arguments and re-
monstrances in the Convention of 1921.
We will now turn to the published reports
Of the proceedings and debates of that Con
ven,ion complied by Carter and Stone and
printed in this city by +. and T.. Hosiord in
lS2l-the accuracy, impariiaty and author
y pTx haya hpnn :
let Mr. Van Burens own recorded declarations
define his position and disclose his sentiments
upon this inestimable and inaienable right.
The discussion on the elective franchise
commenced on the 10Th of Sept. We find
Mr.. Van Buren, first participating in the de-
bate on the Goth and it is a little remarkable
that the first word he utters is in fav or of a
Registration of votes. The select com miitee
to which the subject of the elective franchise
had been referred reported among other things
that
"The Legislature may provide by law that
! a Register OF all citizens entitled TO the right
of suffrage in every town and ward shall be
made at least twenty days before any elections;
and may provide that no person shall vote at
any election who shall not be registered as a
cilzen qualified to vote at such election"
This clause received the appreciation of
Mr. Van Buren, as well as of Col Young.
The latter hoped the recommendation would
ultimately be adopted by the Legislature.
la answer TO an objection from Gen. Tall
madge that it would be modification of the
elective franchise which the Legislature would
have no right to make
"Mr. Van Buren, said, that the register was
no part of the qualifications of voters, and
i that the legislature now have the power to
/ pass laws authorising an enrolment of the
electors"
On the same day Gen. Root introduced an
amendment to the report of the select commit
tee, extending the right of suffrage to male
citizens OF twentyone years of age who should
pay tax to the state or country, or perform
labor on The hightcay, or militia duty in the
militia of this state. On the Goth of Sept.
Gen. Tallmadgc moved to strike out the
words "or on the Mge,coy" in Gen. Roots
amendment, so as to coniine the qualifications
of voters to such as did military duty and
paid taxes, and not permit lis extension 10
those rko la6ored on he highways.
"Mr Van Buren, supported the motion for
! striking out. The people were not prepared
for universal suffrage
On the motion to strike out the words 80,
on The hghrays," Mr.. Van Buren, voted in the
affirmative. The ayes and nays will be found
recorded p. 2s3.
On a proposition offered by Mr.. TallmadgC
on the 9Th Sept. which required as quallh-
cation for an elector that lie should have rem
ted tenement for the six months next pre-
ceeding the election. of the yearly value o.
five dollars, we find Mr.. Van Buren, declar
ing his sentiments more AT length.
"Iie observed that it was evident and indeed
some gentlemen did not seem disposed TO dis
guise il that the amendment proposed by tht
honorable gentleman from Delaware Gen
Roof contemplated nothing short OF universe
suffrage. NJ. V. b. did not believe tina
there were twenty gentlemen of that commit
tee, who, were the bare naked question o
universal suffrage put 10 them, would vote II
its favor; and he was very sure that It's adop
{ ton was not expected, and would not meet th'
views Of his constituents" (Mr. Van BureI
represented the federal county of Otsego IL
the Conyention.). ave had ALREADY
reached the verge OF the universal suffrage
There was but one step beyond. And arr
gentlemen prepared 10 take that stepi w
were cheapng tins inyaluble right. lie wa
disposed TO go far as any man IN the exien
slons OF rational liberty; but lac would not con
sent 10 undervalue this precious privilege, 81
far as 90 confer il with an undiscrlnlnailn.
hand upon every one, black or white VIII
would be kind enough to condescend 10 &C
cep, it," p. 277.
On the 2s,h of Sept Mr.. Wheeler oilere'
, an amendment extending the elective fran
, chise TO 'eyery male citizen OF the age a
twenty one years an inhabtant of this State
and Tor one year a resident In the town or cit
, where he NAV offer his vote, (paupers an
, persons under guardianship exeepted.)
/ "Mr. Van Buren, occupied the floor 70
some lime IN EXPRESSING his sentiments dec