The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1865-09-01
Suffrage Laws at the South.


late Slave States, in force Immediately
prior to the ordinances OF secession, so far
as they bear on the question OF the right
of suffrage. 1t will be seen that no Two
Of them entirely agree in any other re-
spect than that Of excluding minors,
blacks and females from voting.
DELAWARE,
by her Constitution as revised in 1881,
Art. a, Sec. I, gives the elective franchise
to "every free white male citizen Of the
age Of twenty-five years, or upwards"
who has resided one year in the State,
and the last month thereof in the county
and who has within two years paid
county tax, assessed at least six months
before the election; every free white male
citizen over twenty one and under twen-
ty.two may vote without paying any tax.
Soldiers quartered in the State are not
made voters thereby; idiots, insane per-
sons, paupers and felons are excluded
from voting, and the Legislature may i'm.
pose forfeiture Of the right of suffrage as
a punishment for crime.
MARYLAND, ''.
by her Constitution, adopted in 1851
Art. /, Sec. 1, allows "every free white
male person OF twenty-one years Of age,
or upwards" who has resided one year
in the State, six months in the county,
and is citizen Of the United States, to
vote in the election district ir which he
resides; but no adult conv icted of an in
famous crime, unless pardoned, and no
lunatic or person non con- pos m,entis shall
vote. DEB .'.
VIRGINIA.,
by her old Constitution Of 1851. admitted
TO vote "every white male citizen Of Vir-
ginia OF twenty.one years, who has re-
sided two years in The State and twelve
months in the county, except persons of
unsound mind, paupers, non commits.
stoned officers. soldiers, seameD, or ma
rines in the United Service, or persons
convicted Of bribery, or some Infamous
offence; persons in the military and ma
val United States service not to be deemed
residents by virtue OF being stationed
therein. -." ',' ' 1'7.'- 't-<
NORTH CAROLINA,
by her Constitution of 1776, prescribed
three bases of suffrage: an
l. Alf EREEMEH twenty.one years old,
who have lived in the county twelve
months, and have had freehold OF City
acres for six months, may vote for mem.
Der OF the Senate. ,.,, .... .->...-,
2. All FREEMEN Of like age and resi-.
dence who have paid public taxes. may
vote for members Of the House OF Com
mons for the county.
8. The above two classes may, If re-
siding OF owning freehold in town,
vote for members OF the House Of Com
mons for such town: provided, they shall
not already have voted for a member for
the county, and vice yersa. ,..t.. .a.
By the Constitution, as amended in
1885, all freemen twenty-one years OF
age, living twelve months in the State,
and owning freehold of fifty acres for
six months, shall vote, except that
''No free negro, free mulatto or free
person of mixed blood, descended from
negro ancestors to the fourth generation
inclusive, (though one ancestor Of each
generation may have been white per.
son, shall vote for members of the SEN
ate or House OF Commons" e."
SOUTH CAROLINA,
by her Constitution of 1890, prescribed
that every free white man, OF the age of
twenty-one years, being citizen, and
two years residen, of the State, having
owned freehold Of fifty acres, or town
lot, for six months, or, in default thereof,
having paid tax Of three shillings s!er-
ling, shall vote for members OF either
House. No person, however, was eli
glble 10 such seat except free white
man of the age of twenty one-a citizen,
and for three years resident of the State
and, if resident in the district, he
must own 500 acres OF land and ten ne
groes, or real estate to the value Of G150
sterling; if a resident, he shall own
a freehold therein worth E5OO sterling.
This was amended in 1908, giving the
suffrage to "every free white man Of the
age OF twenty. one years (paupers and nom
commissioned officers and privates U.SA.
excepted, being a citizen end resident
for two years, with freehold of ffty
acres or town LOT for six months in the
district, or, in default thereof, being him
self for six months resident OF the dis.
Irlct." ... ... ...--
GEORGIA,
by her Constitution adopted in 1893, de-
clares that "the electors OF the General
Assembly shall be citizens and inhabitants
Of the State, shall have paid all taxes re-
quired OF them, and resided six months in
the county," .r.s ... -aG .a... |
KENTUCKY,
by her Constitution adopted in 1850,
makes "every free white male citizen of
the age OF twenty-one wears, WHO has re-