Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1848-01-14
Mr.. Eastabrook moved to amend the amendment

~ ouu'Il5 Riie IoIONItiS pfONlso, VIZ.
Provided, however, That the Legislature shall at
any time have the power TO admi; colored persons
TO the right of suffrage, on such terms and under
such restrictions as may be determined by law.
This proposition was decided in the affirmative
by vote OF 80 to 81 but was subsequently, on mo-
ton OF Mr. Doran, reconsidered and rejected, by a
majority of one, We are pleased 10 notice that all
the delegates from this county voted in the affirma
tive on this question; and are somewhat surprised
that opposition should come from any quarter to a
proposition so little open TO reasonable objection.
But mems prejudices frequently lead them great
ways in violation of important fundamental princi-
pie; and among the thousand and one restrictions
upon the right of suffrage, which belongs to every
man, that founded upon color not the least absurd
in our view. The time will come when many of
those who voted in the negative on Mr. Els amend
ment will very much dislike to have the record
referred TO-
Mr.. Jackson moved TO amend the amendment by
adding proyiso, as follows:
That persons of foreign birth, having
resided i'll this State five years shall not be
entitled to the right of electors, unless they
shall within one year thereafter become cit
establishing uniform rule of naturaliza-
ton"
Before the Question was taken, the Convention
adjourned
Tuesday, January 4. Mr. Prentiss, of the appro-
pirate committee made report of an Article prov-
ding that the political year of the State shall com
mence on the lst day of January, in every year ;
that one concetned in duel shall ever be eligible
to any office in the State; that no person holding
office under the L. S. government or convicted of
any Infamous crime shall be eligible to office within
the State; that none of the prominent officers Of the
State shall during their continuance in one office be
eligible to any other office; and that every person
elected appointed TO the office of governor lieut.
governor secretary of state treasurer attorney gen
era or member of the legislature, or Judge, shall
be required to take an oath that he will not during
the term for which he is elected or appointed to
Office accept the place of senator or representative
in Congress.
The resolution Of Mr. Lewis in reference to the
school section of each township was referred to the
committee on schools
The consideration ofthe Suffrage Article was re-
sumed, the question being on the amendment of Mr.
Raymert as to be found i'll synopsis yesterdays
proceedings. After many unsuccessful motions to
amend the amendment and much debate, Mr. Ray
merits proposition was adopted with this mcdiica
ton, viz substituting for the words at the time Of
the adoption OF this constitution OF" the following
who shall have resided in the state for one year
next preceding any election" An amendment Of
tered by Mr. Harvey, was also adopted, (ayes A,
noes 21) 1t is as follows:
Sec. The legislature shall at any time
have the power TO admit colorcd persons to
the right of suffrage, but no such act of the
legislature shall become law, until the
same shall have been submitted to the cleo
tors at the next general election succeeding
the passage of the same, and shall have re-
ceived n majority of all the votes cast at
such election"
The article was then ordered 10 I've engrossed.
In the afternoon Articles entitled as follows were
considered in committee of TIE whole, and reported
back with amendments: On Militia, on Finance,
on Eminent Domain and Property of the State
The amendment of the committee to the Article on
Militia, was concurred in-ayes So noes &c. The
amendment was to strike out the whole article as
reported, and insert in lieu thereof the following
section, which constitutes the entire article Brief
as it is, the article in our view is vet one section
too long.
Sec. /. The legislature shall determine
what persons shall constitute the militia of
this state, and may provide for organizing
and dsciplining the same in such manner
as shall be prescribed by law.
The Article was then ordered to be engrossed for
its final reading.
Wednesday. January ;. Several resolutions were
offered among which was one by Mr.. Fenton, that
the Convention adjourn sine die the l5th instant
The Argus thinks the Convention will be ready TO
adjourn BY the 20th.
The Suffrage Article was read the third time,
when. on motion of Mr. Kilbourn it was recommit-
ted, with instructions TO the committee, to change
the provision, proposed by Mr. Harvey, relating to
colored suffrage that the legislature may extend
by law the right of suffrage to persons not herein
enumerated" &c, instead Of TO "coored persons
The Militia Article was read third time and
passed The Article on Finance was next taken
up. The first amendment of the committee of the
whole was adopted, viz strike out section one, and
insert in lieu thereof;
The rule of taxation shall be uniform
throughout this state, and taxes shall be lev.
led upon such property as the Legislature
shall prescribe"
Other amendments of the committee, the precise
character of which we unable to determine from
the reports, were also concurred in. Motions to
amend, so as 10 exempt property of the state, col
ege and school property, and churches and church
property from taxation-and TO strike out the pro
vision limiting the amount of State debt under any
and all circumstances TO 100000, were made but
rejected. A section added as follows, or
motion Of Mr. Judd, and then the article was order
/ ed 10 be engrossed;
/ There shall not at any time be issued
1 in any form or manner, under the authority
of this State, any state scrip, certificate, oil
other evidence of state debt, except for sucl
debts as are authorized by the 9TH and stt
/ sections of this article"
/ n