New-York tribune., 1867-08-20


VOrERs-No CHANGE IN THE FRANCHISE LAW
THE CROPS.
From Our Special Correspondent
MEMPHIS, Tenn, Aug. Is, 1867
Since the election, the principal topic here
has been prescription. As the Conservatives
found that the cOlored voters wherever they had
porumty had voted almost unanimously for the Repub-
ean ticket three Of the four Conservative papers Of the
cty-TeA raidnee Appeal and Ledger-at came out
in favor Of the prescription Of eoored voters and advised
thew had workg for the who had yoed for
BrOwnlOw. These appeals continued from day TO
eject It would have in bringing the negroes to their
senses" number OF merchants and business
dismissed their porters and other employees
who had voted for BrownOw. At first the movement
Go cePaS az to is eRe and eject But 70
their credit be it said did not shake but only served 10
Union party The movement, however has proved @
signal failure, and is admitted to be so by It's pro-
posers Notwithstanding the efforts made to effect gen.
erai dschargng OF coofed voters the records Of the
FreedDens Bureau, where aidavits were taken OF al
theneated cases others are reported and the Whole
number may be 90 or 7o but viii undoubtedly fan snort
Of 100 In few cOlOred men have been put 10 IN
convenience by being discharged from employment to
sa tney Were re ace ana not peg spe a. eha
acte but there Is demand In the country for more labor
In view Of the overwhelming victory Of the Republican
party at the State election the idea has been suggested
magnanimOus and should exhibit those qualities by
moving tie disabilities in the way Of Rebels voting lt
has been reported that Gov Brown0w would in his next
message take ground in favor Of the immediate enfran
chisenent of the dsfrancsed Rebels These ideas,
however are founded on OF the POSI-
ton Of the franchise subject change Of the character
suggested is not in the power of the Legs
latue but only be- effected through constitutional
amendment, which will require several years for It's ac-
complishment The present franchise law is an enact
ment OF the Legislature but under the peculiar cir.
cumstances OF its passage has all the force ana
effect of constitutional provision. The schedule
Of amendments To the Constitution proposed in 1865,
adopted by vote Of tho people and declared by Military
Governor Andrew johnson to he ratified and to form
Which action our present state Government Is based
provided section that the first Legislature which
should assemble under the amended Constitution should
limit the qualifications Of the elective franchise" This
performed by that Legislature, which djourned
law and the limitations therein Of the elective franchise
have therefore become virtually constitutional proys
IONS and can only be charged Ia the manner PROVIDED
for amending the Constitution That mode is, that the
proposed amendments must first be adopted by a
ished six months previous tic election Of the next
Legislature and adopted by twothirds vote Of that
designated by law and If ratified by the popular vote,
latnre just elected VIII in October next and tho
members elett ted for two years: Any action they
amendment TO the Constitution as 1t must lie over TO
await the action OF the next Legislature to be elected in
1902 IL s not likely thercior that there VIII @ DC any
taken for its consideration The action Of the Conssrya.
hostility 10 political which viii go
regrets that action on this subject must be neeess
The reports from the cotton crop West Tennessee,
Northern Mississippi and Eastern Arkansas generally
ger number Of have been planted this season than
perhaps ever before. During the last two years immense
quantities OF corn nave been brought ron M ILLINOIS ana
II Is ILL., sSs SIP , ,s, -n | WI be amply suiiciens
perhaps leave surplus Tor sale. The prce is now about
Sl 70 bush aud Il has been as high as q 20 daring
new crop comes In the price will ~ down 20 fifty cents.
and soue persons place The figure still lower