Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-06-24
RHODE ISLAND.

The Tory papers il this State and else
where are constantly in the habit of imposing
upon their readers the grossest misrepresen-
tations in regard to the controversy which
has distracted the people of Rhode Island
for the last six months. They assert, for
instance, with the most unblushing eflrontcry,
that the suffrage party have been contending,
throughout, for the extension of the right Of
voting to all the people of the State without
distinction, While the legal party are for con-
timing this invaluable right to landhoders
and their eldest sons only. Now this is a
sheer fabrication, a monstrous and unmlti-
gated falselood, and the Tories know it TO
be so. This is strong language, we know,
but not stronger than the circumstances OF
the case will justify us in using. To prove
this. we will only call the attention of all fair
minded and impartial men to the following
extracts from the two constitutions, present.
cd and advocated by the two parties. 1t will
be perceived that there is scarcely shadow
vi ltl'lil, ~ ldi DIS INC lIGi!I
of suffrage is concerned:
LEGAL CONSTITUTION. SUFFRAGE CONSTITUTIONS
SEC. 3. Every white male |. Every white male cit
native citizen of the United zcn of the United STATES
States, or any territory of the age of twenty one
thereof, of the full age Of years, who has resided in
81 years who shall kave,this State for one year
had his actual permanent and in any town. civ or
residence and home in this district of the same for SIX
State for the period of two months next preceding
years and IN the Town or the election nj which he
city IN which he may clam offers to vote, shall he an
right TO vote, SIX months elcctor OF all officers wo
next preceding the uine of are elected, or may here
voting, shall kave right after he made eliGble bv
TO v0te III the election ofall the people
civil officers, and on all 1. Noeector who is no,
questions all LEGAL town possessed Of and assessed
ward meetings Provi- for ratable property in his
ded however, that no per- own right, to the amount
who is rot ROW free of one hundred and filfy
man, sha! be allowed to dollars, or who shall have
vote upon any motion to neglected or refused tn pay
impose tax or incur ex-anytax assessed upot him
1Gninurcs, IN any town or IN any town, city, or dis
city unless ne possess the trict Tor one prcce-
freehold qnalhcation re-idng the town, city, ward
CURED by tins article, orlor district in q nj
shall have hscn taxed on which he shall offer to
property valued NJ least At vote, shall be entitled 10
one hundred and fifty dol vote on any question o,
lars, within one yea from taxation of the expend.
the time he may otter 10 ,urc of any public moneys
vote and shall have paid in such town, city, or dis
such tax in said town orrrct, until the same be
city rad.
SEC. T. In The city Of 5. In the city of Provi
Providence aud all other drncc and other cities n,
cities no Perann shall be.porsor shall BE- eligible Il
eligible TO the Office of,the Office Of mayor alder
inayoJ, alderman or com man, or common council
mon councilman who is man, who is not taxed, oi
hot qnal!n 20 vote upon who shall have neglected
mauon t" impose tax or refused to pay his tax
or incur expenditures a. provided in the prece-
herein provided. cling section.