The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-10-14

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irresponsible, who are here to-day and there
tomorrow; who have no home, wife or
children to love, and are burden and dis
grace to the body polite.
TwENTY-EIGHTH DAY.
AUSTIN, October z, 1915.
Convention met at the usual hour.
Roll called; quorum present.
Prayer by Rev. DIR. Grasty, of Austin.
Mr.. Mccormick, Mr.. Abner and Mr.. Nc
Kinney OF Walker, all got leave of absence
for few days.
The unfinished business was resumed.
Mr.. Wood offered the following amend
ment: ''Said tax shall never exceed two
dollars per annum, and shall be applied to
school purposes exclusively" @ iis
Mr.. Moore'spoke against the amendment.
Mr.. SAMSON said he was not in favor Of
any tax to support public scho lis, and he
was also opposed to the Acknowledgement
of any one for the non-payment of taxes.
Mr.. Ballinger next addressed the Corven-
ton, taking ground against the measure I'M
less the money thus raised could be applied
to the efficient establishment of free school
system.
Mr.. Waelder said it had been deniedthat
the right to vote Is maternal one.
If that is the case, all women and
children, who are not allowed to vote,
would be DISTINGUISHED. 1t is a right
granted by the law-making bodies Of the
State, who were sent there by the peo-
pie themselves, and whose duty it is to
regulate the matter of suffrage. II It is q
natural right, we would do wrong to pre-
scribe the age OF twenty-one as q necessary
qualification to vote. The only matter to
be considered is as to whether 1t is not q
question of sound policy. He was in favor
Of including those who fail to pay their
State and county tax as well as those who
fail to pay poll-tax. The man who paid no
taxes received the same protection as be
who paid his thousands. 1t was said that
this was a thrust at the negro. Such an
idea did not occur to him in advocating the
proposed provision He cared not who it
struck, black or white, he wanted this tax
paid by all. He had been told that the
measure was unpopular. The question Us
to the popularity or appropriately of any
measure was not the way to treat any ques-
ton. The way to consider it is, is 1t night
or wrong II right, vote for it, and you
can show the wisdom of the measure to the
people.
Mr. Johnst of Franklin said he looked
on the proposition as an unvidions distinc-
ton in favor Of the wealthy class. No man
should be compelled to perform all the ar
duous duties of u citizen, and then be dis
franchised for the non-payment of poll tax.
This measure would have no effect on me-
groes. If they did not pay the tax, some
candidate would; and thereby buy his
vote. They were as fond of voting as they
were of circuses. e a ft.sf4,
Mr.. Dohoney followed in support of the
hat 81
was natural right, and not subject to re-
striction, was arguing too much, as women,
children, lunatics and all would be allowed
to vote. 1t was not an abridgement of the
elective franchise, but simply one of the
proposed qualifications, just as age, resi-
dence, ETC., were made other qualifications.
He quoted from Mr.. Cooley, to show that
the franchise was not right but privi-
lege, and granted on grounds OF policy,
whenever consistent with public safety. 1t
was legally ia the power OF the Convention
to grant or withhold the right. 1t had
been so, and was wise to grant the right to
all males; but it is consistent with the
public ssfety to throw around il certain re-
stricsions. If this government did not pro-
tect itself from irresponsible votes, it would
become in reality what 1t is almost now
failure.
Mr.. Martin of Navarro next addressed the
Convention. Texas to-day is one of the
proudest States in the Union. She Is the
brightest star in the armament, and let US
not dim her lustre by passing an organic
provision to crush the freedom of her gal
liant sons. He made no patheticappeals for
the poor man. We did not come here to
make constitution for the rich OF poor,
white or black, but for the whole people of
Texas. If it was so arranged as 70 require
all men to pay all their taxes of every kind,
he would favor it, but he was not in favor
of this class distinction and he said that
just as sure as this provision was inserted,
so sure would the Constitution be defeated.
Mr.. Moore offered the following amend.
ment: "And who, IN addition thereto,
shall, three months before said election,
have paid all poll taxes due by him to the
Safe and county Immediately preceding;
provided, that no receipt therefor shall be
required as precedent 20 vote" Lost.
Mr. Flanagan moved 70 lay the amend
ment offered by Mr.. Reagan, 90 yesterday,
on the table. Carried by vote Of Sc to IS.
Mr. Waelder offered an amendment .sthat
all who paid taxes for the last ten years. %
Laid on The table.
Mr.. Doheney moved to amend by strik-
ing out '.before said election" and insert
(which have accrued since the adoption Of
this Constitution Laid on the table.
Mr.. Moore offered the following amen d.
ment IS 8 substitute for section two:
- Every male person subject to none Of the
foregoing qualifications who shall have ar |
tanned the age of twenty-one years, and |
who shall be citizen Of the United States, |
and who shall have resided in this State
FOR one year next preceding an election and /
The last six months within the district M
,Dunty in which he off,rs 70 vote. shall be
deemed a qualified elecsor; and every rnale
person Of foreign birth subject TO noEe Of
he foregoing disqualification who. six
months before an election, shall have de
;lared his intention 10 become . citizen Of