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

man because he was a Granger, or vote
against him because he was q lawyer, or
any other profession.
Mr.. Weaver said he bad ever advocated
the freedom of the press, and still advoca-
ted IL. He had suffered as much as any
man from the anamadversions of the press ;
but l)elieYed that the press had a right TO
discuss public men and measures. He said
the STATESMAN had handled the Conven-
tion 'without gloves" but he did not think
IL would break the Convention. The press
was the sacred palladium of the peoples
rights, aud, in the language of Artemus
Ward, he would say, 81 Let them gush."
Dir. johnson OF Collin said he believed
he was right when he came here, and since
the STATESMAN and Telegraph had attacked
him, he knew he was right. Everything
that was said and done by members were
subjects Of criticism, and If they were not
paid to be kept silent, and thereby black
mail the members, they would abuse them,
aud thus cost too much. As far as he was
concerned, such stock was beneath his no.
tice.
Mr.. Reagan asked for an additional
standing committee of five to take into con-
sideratiOn an article concerning division of
the powers Of government, and impeach-
ment and removal Of high officers. Kcsolu-
tion adopted.
Mr.. West offered the following substi-
tute: ''In all elections by the people the
vote shall be ballot, and the Legislature
shall provide for the numbering OF tickets
and make such other regulations as may he
necessary TO detect and punish frauds and
preserve the purity of the ballot-box; and
IN elections by the Senate and House of
Representatives, Jointly or separately, the
vote shall he given Oi0a UOce, except in cleo
tion.0 their officers"
Mr.. Crawford offered an amendment to
the amendment by adding ''but no law
shall ever be enacted requiring a registra-
ton of the voters of the State"
Mr.. West accepted the amendment.
Mr.. Reagan offered an amendment: Sex
cept in cities Of 10000 Inhabitants or
more"
Mr.. Ballinger was in favor of the amend
ment, and considered it as the best and
safest mode yet presented. AL
Mr.. FlournOy was opposed to it. II this
amendment was adopted, it would operate
with Galveston alone This thing of reg,
istering votes was one of the grandest
frauds Of the age. Chicanery and fraud by
wire-workers was always the result. More
men were allowed to vote two or three
times this way than any other.
Mr.. Reagan said be was tired of all such
clap-trap argument as that used by Mr..
F.ournoy. For a man who was weak in
intellect, and devoid of ordinary reason,
that would make such an argument, he
wOuld pity him; but for q man of Mr.. !
Flournoy's attainments, he had no pity; but
u feeling akin TO something else. Did the
honorable gentleman suppose he could
hood-wiLk this Convention with any such
doctrine as he taught
Mr. Ballinger said Galveston needed just
such law 10 protect her from being sad
died with heavy debts TO pay large subsi-
dies voted ON her by an Irresponsible set of
men.
Mr.. Robertson said he would vote for the
amendment as the best he could do.
Mr.. Alternately was opposed to any sys-
TEN OF registration. fJ
MIR. Crawford offered an amendment, that
mo registration law should be passed In
any city, except by the consent or re-
quest of majority of the citizens of said
ety.
The amendment of Mr.. Reagan, as
amended by MIR. West and Mr.. Crawford,
was adopted.
Mr.. Moore moved to strike out that por
ton OF Mr.. Vests resolution, In regard to
elections by members OF the Legislature.
Adopted.
Mr.. DeAIorse offered the following sub
stitute for section three: 'All qualified
electors of the State, AZ hereinbeiore de-
scribed, who shall have resided six months
immediately preceding an election, within
the limits Of any city or corporate town,
shall have the right TO vote for mayor and
all other elective officers; but IN all cleo
tions to determine expenditures of money,
or assumption of debt, only those shall DE
qualified to vote who pay taxes on prop
erty in said city or Incorporates town; pro-
vided, that no poll tax tor the payment Of
debts thus incurred, shall be LEVIED upon
the class debarred froul voting in relation
thereto"
Mr.. Kilgore moved to lay the amendment
on the table. Lost 10y vote OF 10 to %. :.
MIR. Kilgore moved 70 amend by striking
out ''city or town" and insert ssState.p
Lost.
Mr.. Crawford offered an amendment as
follows: % But no city or town shall incur,
assume or authorize any debt except upon
the consent of majority of the taxable
property-owners Of said city or town, to be
ascertained IN u manner prescribed by law. /"
MIR. Crawford advocated the passage of
his amendment with great deal OF force
aud ability.
The amendment Of Mr.. Crawford was
lost.
Mr.. Flournoy presented an amendment
that mo person be allowed TO vote for any
State officer where it would cost anl
money" Lost.
The amendment of Mr.. DeMorse was then
adopted by vote of So to 20.
Mr. Scott offered an amendment that ''no
personsb allowed to vote out Of his coun-
ty.n
Mr.. Whitfield offered an amendment that
'.no person be allowed to vote out of his
pre- :iact."
Mr.. Kilgore offered substitute that call
electors shall vote in the precincts of their
residence" Carried by vote OF As to SO.
Mr.. West offered the following section
See. Q. The Legislature shall make pro-
vision Tor taking the votes of electors of this
State, who may be temporarily absent from
the county or State in the actual military
service Of the State, during time of INA
sion: preceded, A0sceeer, that citizens Of Tex
as, whe are regular soldiers, sailors or ma.
rines in the navy OF the United st ties, shall
not bc allowed to vote. Lost.
Ga motion, the Convention adjourned e
$3.50 z. N.