New-York tribune., 1870-05-27
HE RHODE ISLAND PROPERTY QUALIFICA-
TION.
REPORT on THE SUBJECT BY THE SENATE JU-
DICIARY COMMITTEE.

REPORT ON THE SUBJECT BY THE SENATE JU
DICIARY COMMITTEE.
WASHINGTON, May 26.-The Committee on the
Judiciary 10 which referred the petition of citizens
of Rhode Island setting forth the Fourteenth and F1f
teenth articles Of amendment to the Constitution of the
limited States and stating that the State Of Rhode
Island Notwithstanding the provisions OF the apoVe-
named amendments persists in and by the first section
of article second of the Constitution of said state IN ue
ing abdgng right of about 10000 citizens OF the
United States to vote at any and all elections holden III
said State and praying that Congress viii "pass such
appropriate legislation be found necessary to OBJ
tan for and secure TO the citizens OF the United States
IN bn9qs 10 an them e by the Gonon Of
The United States" respectfully report That the Const
scribes alternative classes Of qualification for
voting The first gives TO all male & ciuzets iILt ,S
Of the United states of certain age ana sex he rlght 10
vote II hey real estate Of the value OF $4 or when
shall rent for per snH te te9 f4e sses CERTAIN s
and sex the right 10 vote II he pays tax OF II year.
party las ever questioned the right OF the people OF
Rhode Island and of every other State TO establish such
their views OF public welfare in that state although its
provisions as 20 suffrage may not conform TO the OPINIONS
ton Ot Rhode Island was adopted the rTht 10 regulate
the ddsncations Of voter belonged eSe9syey 10 & 1e
Recognized this, but it raises the question, although
tHdiousy framed in such manner az not 70 declare or
insist upon such conclusion, whether by the Fourteenth
aud Fifteenth Amendments to the constitution Of the
United States natives Of foreign countries VINO nave
6ecope citizens OF the United states are not entitled TO
iD Island, without regard
snnnsed by Constitution. The Committee is unal
,nnIsV OF the opinion that this question must be
answered in the negative. The privilege and nnunnes
~ citizens of the United States mentioned In the petlon
a. secured by the Fourteenth Amendment 90 not include
fbe gLt of suffrage. II they did, the right must neees
srjly xst in all citizens Of the United States from the
mere fact Of citzensbip within the power IN any Sae
o. in Congress abridge the same IN any degree anu ~
such case therefore, 10 qualification Of any KIND cotd
be imposed aud iii persons being cl.ht Tesnect
wOmel infts unacs and criminals wlthout Ies6ee h
- a0e length Of residence or any Otlef Iary
enfitsd 10 participate directly III al eieetohs. S ~
in every State which experience mas id
f. essential 10 secsTty and good order III socley .
tboreIy he overthrOwn 1t is enough 10 say at 'o - 40
sec,red by this amendment ~ the CQilstltuVn ~
aooetheT different character The F1fteehtn To-, a.
COOS snry 10 rights suffrage and 10 them Ohy. R M ~
tbe stafs OF Rhode Island In common WIN eNeiS ~ %
STATE IL forbidden 10 deny or aDrldRe ulo ts saco Va
Sfixens OF the United States 70 vote on account ~
eolor or preyious condition OF serYtude' bu, Piay
me Consuton Of Rhode Island does not pIeciuSo ~
1ifizeD IRON voting either or any OF the gI,
probted No fact OF race, color, OF previous VOi phg
~ servifI,de preyents any citizen from YOing IN M %
Iand Eeitber OF these qualities depends ih as ans ~ ~
gree upen the place Of his nativity Is seet9 t UoeS
Mons 10 need discussion. lt j. also iao "fbPn1t
Iess known 20 the petitioners, thai wne1 tnG & ~ @
urnnosed 10 embrace in il prohibition oi any oo Mn -
s6yage on account OF nativity, ana tha uls ljd ot
Wss not agreed " fOr the reason tha' o"DH'@' O NV