The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1875-10-09
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Twenty Eighth bay.

From the Galveston News of yesterday
Austin, Texas, October 7, 1875.
The Convention assembled at the
usual hour.
Mr.. Russell, of Wood, introduced a
resolution to adopt the rule of limiting
speeches to five minutes. This lies
over under the rule.
A discussion ensued on the PROPOSE
ton of yesterday to strike out the pay
ment of poll tax as requisite for suf-
frage.
The proposition was opposed by
Messrs. Wade, Ballenger, johnson, of
Franklin, ana Martin, and favored by
Messrs' Sansan, W@lder and Dahoney.
The usual hour for adjournment was
passed in skirmishing.
A number of amendments were pro-
posed and rejected, but upon u substi-
tute offered by Norville Lipsc omb fin
al action was taken on this section:
| Every male of twenty-one years, cit
izen of the United States, resident Of
the State one year. and of the county
or district six months prior to the cleo
ton; and everv male of foreign birth
who shall have declared his intention
to become citizen of the United
States six months previous to election,
and resided in the State and county or
district the time first above stated, are
qualified electors. Electors may vote
for district officers anywhere in the
district, ami for state officers anywhere
in the State.
Section |. Which was adopted yes
terday, gives the disqualltications
which were engrafted in the Constitu-
ton of 1915. The following classes of
persons shall not be allowed to vote in
this State, to-wlt:
First - Persons under twenty-one
years of age.
Second-Idiots and lunatics.
Third-All inmates of State asylums,
and all paupers supported by any
county.
Fourth-All persons convicted of
bribery in receiving money, intoxicat-
ing drinks, or other thing of value for
their vote; also all persons convicted
of any felony.
Fifth-All soldiers and marines en-
ployed in the service of the army or
navy of the United States.
The Convention then adjourned.
Mr.. Whitfield offered an amendment
to the suffrage article; to strike out the
clause in Lipscombs substitute requir-
ing the declaration of foreigners to
have been made six months before the
election. Carried.
Mr.. Cook, Of Gonzales, offered an
amendment that the Legislature may
pass laws requiring II voter to exhibit
evidence of having paid his taxes for u
certain time. Tabled.
Mr.. Stockdale offered an amendment
requiring voters to vote in the county
of their residence. He held that as no
restrictions were to exist, the Conven-
ton having voted down the poll tax
prerequisite, and as registration was to
be done away with, the permission to
vote anywhere in the district or State
opened the door for frauds. After con-
siderable discussion the amendment
was lost by vote of ~ to A..
Crawford proposed an amendment
to section /, which brought up again
the poll tax prerequisite. Martin
moved to lay it on the table--carried.
Section was then taken up. Mr.
Flournoy proposed the following sub
stitute: That every qualified elector
of this State who shall have resided
for twelve months next preceding any
election, at which he may offer to vote,
in any incorporated town or city, shall
be entitled to vote at elections held in
such incorporated town or city, which,
after some discussion by Messrs. Rea-
gan, Ballenger and Flourny, was
adopted. ~
Mr.. Moore-To amend section one,
by striking out climates of asylums."
Carried.
Mr.. DeMorse-An amendment to
section three, providing that in city
elections for the creation of debt,
only househoulders, freeholders and
Taxpayers upon assessed property shall
vote. Lost.
Mr.. Ballinger--An amendment, pro-
vided that all elections by which any
tax shall be imposed or debt created,
shall be confined to electors who are
assessed for taxes imposed on property
or license in said city.
Mr.. Flournoy was willing to the
amendment.
| Ahis pbcSNNotV ~ tbC tlCttlOH
OF Aldermen Is not an election In
which taxes are to he levied, as Alder
men fix the rate of taxation?
Mr.. Chambers asked, II the Conven-
ton saw fit to strike ont license and
occupation taxes, II, under the amend
ment, professional men and merchants
would not be prevented from. voting I?
Mr.. Flournoy said cities have right
to impose such taxes under existing
charters.
Mr., Killgore thought the voters in
State elections were voting on aues-
tons of debt, Of Importance In Sherifis
and other elections, and could not see
why the city should DO better protect
ed than The State.
Mr.. Waelder offered a substitute with
the same qualifications In elections up
on creation of debt for improvements
or other purposes.
Mr.. Brown moved to adjourn. The
question was too important to decide
without ample consideration.
The motion was lost.