Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1840-08-15
POLITICAL OPINIONS OF MARTIN VAN
buren, IN REGARD TO THE RIGHT OF
SUFFRAGE, &c.

SUFFRAGE, &c.
From the Report Of the proceedings and debates
of the Convention Of 1921, assembled for the
purpose OF amending the Constitution OF the
State Of New York.
No. l.--Mdrtin Van Buren, in facor Of pla-
cling Free Negroes on an eqnality Nth White
Men in regard TO the right Of suffrage.
At the opening Of the Convention, Friday,
August 3lst, 1921.
Mr.. King from the committee appointed 10
consider and report in what manner it would be
e1pedient to take up the business of the Con-
venon, presented series OF resolutions the 9th
OF which was as follows
RESOLVED, That SO much Of the Constitution
as relates TO the rights and qualifications rPess
sons to be elected, be referred to a committee to
take into consideration the expedency Of max.
ing any, and il any, what alterations or amend.
ments, therein, and to report such amendments
as they may deem expedent.
Journal Of the Convention, page So.
Under the above resolutions, Messrs. N. San
ford, S. Vanrenssclear, P. r. Livingston, Fair
lie, Young, Cramer and Ross
Jour. Con. page 49,
Wednesday, Sept. 18th, 1921.
Mr.. Sanford, from the committee appointed
reported that the committee having considered
the subjects referred to them, recommended the
following amendments to the constitution,
1st Every white male citizen Of the age Of
twenty one years, who shall have resided in the
State, six months, next preceding any election,
and shall within one year 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 equivalent in money, there
fore, according to law, or shall within one year
preceding the election have been enrolled in the
Militia in this State, and shall have served there
in according to law, shall be entitled TO vote at
such election in the town or ward in which he
shall reside, for Governor, Lieutenant Governor,
SSSenators, Members of Assembly, and all other
dRfSers who are or may be elective by the people
Jour. Con- page l34.
September 18th, 1921.
On motion of Mr.. Sanford, the report Of the
committee relative to the right Of suffrage was
taken up for consideration, and was discussed.
Jour. Con. l7S, &C., &c.
The question being on the first section as orig
nally reported by the committee.
Mr.. Jay, moved that the word White be
stricken out.
ocO JUL OOii' L 'SO 1"O'
The object OF this amendment was 10 place thu
Negroes on an equality with the Whites in re
gard to voting.
Col Young earnestly opposed the amend
ment.
awe ought" he said "to mako constitution
adapted TO our habits, manners, and state Of so
ciety Metaphysical refncments and abstrac
speculations are Of little use in framing Con
stitution.
"No White man will stand shoulder to shoul
der with negro in the train band Of jury room
He will not invite him to a seat at his table, no
in his pew at church. And yet he must b
placed on footing Of equality in the right O
voting, and on no other occasion whatever eithe
civil or social !!
"The minds Of the blacks are not competen
to vote" continued Col. Young, ''they are to
much degraded TO estimate the value of excrciS
ing with fidelity and discretion, that importan
right. 1t would be unsafe in their hands !! &c.
Sec Jour. Con- page 1871.
The question on striking out the word WHITE
was then taken by ayes and noes, and decided i
VAN buren, voting in tho affirmative to strik
out the word WHITE, and thus place the NEGRO
ON AN EQUALITY WITH THE WHIT.
MEN IN VOTING AT ELECTIONS;-Se
Jour. of Con-, page 2O2.
After the above vote was taken, Gen. Rot
Immediately arose and observed that "Thel
was danger Of extending the right of suffra2
100 far. 1t was now extended to NEGROES
or in the polite language Of the day, to col
ORED PEOPLE. 1t was, in his opinion, il
expedent to admit strolling voters" With
view to prevent this, he offered further amen
ment relative to residence, paying of tax, dor
military duty, &c. &c. See Jour. of Con
page 2O2.
This is the same Martin Van Buren, who is no
exhibited to the world as a "norhem man w
southern principles" Is it one Of the T. AZ
plies of the south, that negro has as much rig
TO vote at elections as a white man? We pau
for reply.
No 2 Martin Van Buren, in favor of fro
hold qualification for State Senators.
September 22d, 1921.
Chief Justice Spencer moved 10 amend NJ
Roots amendment by requiring an interest
law or equity, in lands, tenements, or hered
ments of the value 1880, as qualification
voters for State Senators-Jour. OF Con-, pa
2l5.
Mr. Van Buren, opposed this amendment
He contended that the land interest ''was sui
GENTLY guarded by the constitution as It ne
stands 1t now provides that the Senators sh
be freeholders, and that part Of the CONSTITUTE
il was not proposed TO alter. There was no {
lection to fixing the amount Of the freehold
1uired in the elected, and TO place it on respe
able, but not extravagant footing. SEQ Jour.
Con page 255, &c
AGcr n lono dehato ,ba cuoStion n Tho ANA,