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


Convention met at ESQ; quorum pres
ent.
Section two provides that ''any citizen OF
foreign birth who has resided twelve months
in the State and has declared his intention
six months before AN election can vote.
Mr.. Whitfield moved to strike ont
twelve months" and insert ''who ut any
time"
Mr.. Cook of Gonzales offered the follow
ing as an amendment to the amendment:
The Legislature may, nevertheless, pass
laws requiring every voter to produce to the
officers of the election satisfactory evidence
of his having paid all snch poll-taxes as
may be due by him for such time before
such election rs may be prescribed by law,
and prescribe the rules OF evidence OF such
payment Laid on the table by vote OF
A to 20.
Section two. line eighteen, declares that
foreigner shall declare his intention to be-
come citizen IN accordance with the Fed
eral naturalization laws"
Mr.. Kilgore moved to strike out the word
" Federal" Lost by vote Of IL to So.
Mr.. Stockdnle moved to strike out all
that portion allowing men to vote oatside
of their own counties. Lost.
NJ. Crawford offered an amendment to
section one, Us follows: ''AlI persons be-
Years who shall have failed TO pay poll
tax of two dollars, which shall have been
levied and assessed for educational pur-
poses in a manner prescribed by law, for
six months, and within two years next be-
fore the election vt which he offers his
vote" Laid on the table.
Section one provides that certain persons,
such as lunatics, idiots, etc shall not vote.
Mr.. Crawford moved to amend by adding
"peTjury, forgery, arson, rape or robbery
He held that the word felony in the sec
tion was too broad in its sense, that young
men often did things under the impulse Of
the moment who were high-toned, honora-
BILE men aud should not he punished with
too severe penalties. The crimes for which
q person should be DISTINGUISHED should DO
explicitly stated. Adopted,
Mr.. Abernsthy moved To amend by strik-
ing cut the words land Who, in addition
thereto, shall have paid all taxes due said
town or City that have accrued against him
since the adoption Of this Constitutions"
Mr.. Flournoy offered substitute for the
section as follows: EVERY qualified cleo
tor in this State, who shall have resided for
twelve months next preceding any election
at which he may offer to vote IN any ipcor-
porated town or city, shall he entitled TO
vote at elections held in such Incorporated
town or city,"
Messrs. Dohoney and Reagan was opposed
to the amendment, and desired some plan
inaugurated, whereby the cities could be re-
lieyed of floating, irresponsible class, who
would vote any tax on the bona fde citizens,
and who could be controlled by certain
class to the injury of the city.
Mr.. Ballenger thought the true solution of
the matter was to leave it to the citizens Of
those cities to iule through their city gov
eminent.
Mr.. Flournoy said great deal had been
said in the last ten days about the riff
raffsn of society. He did not know what
the word meant, unless it meant the oppo-
site Of gentleman. We are not here to SIT
in Judgment on the morals OF men. If
gambling is u crime, for which man
should not vote, say so. There were a good
many men inleyery city who were worthless,
and but OF little orno good to iny city, but
in trying to get at these tbs ciyily proposed
to disfranchise other good men. A drayman
on the streets often did more to the build
ing up o. the general prosperity OF city
than the wealthy nabob, with his millions.
Mr. Kilgore said he was opposed TO this
whole matter. lie had voted on the propo-
sition of this morning to require persons to
show receipt Of their poll tax before they
could vote; but he would not vote for isola-
ted cases. rs respecting 1t IN cities. Gen
tlemen who opposed him this morning had
held up their hands in holy horror at the
bare mention of restricting suffrage. They
seem to think that any discussion OF the
right of franchise = that canvassing il
would injure it--like ansassing the virtue
of woman would defile her. lie was In IA
vor Of swallowing it all down at one gulp
-''go the whole hog or none" He would
not vote to restrict suffrage in city elections
and not in the State.
The substitute offered by Mr. Flournoy
was then adopted by vote OF 40 to "a.
Mr.. Crawford offered an amendment that
six months be sufficient length OF time
for one to reside in city TO allow him to
vote, as he thought 1t was On unjust dis
elimination 70 require anyone to remain any
longer in the city than in the county.
Mr.. West offered an amendment as a sub
stitute for Mr.. Crawford's, as follows:
f" Provided. that in elections for creation of
debt for the improvement Of UGH 70 wn or
city, or for other purposes, tax payers only
shall vote" Lost.
Mr. DeMorse offered an amendment. as
follows: Provided that in elections for
the creation of debt Tor the Improvement Of
such town or city freebolders, househoiders
and taxpayers on property only shall VOTE +.
Lost. sa s
Mr.. Crawford's amendment was lost.
Mr.. Moore moved TO strike out ssnll in
mates OF State asylums." Adopted.
MIR. BalIinger offered the following amend
ment: That all elections by which any
town shall be improved OF debt incurred
shall be confined 70 electors who are as
sessed for tax imposed on property, for
license IN said city" Ir4f
Mr.. Wzelder offered the following As a
substitute; Provided, that in elections
for the creation Of debt for the improve
ment Of such town or city, or for other
purposes, such electors only as pay tax
upon city property, or a license tar upon
some regular business, shall vote" Lost BY
. vote OF 20 70 80.
The question then recurring on the adop-
ton Of the amendment Of Mr. Ballinger,
Mr.. Flannkan moved to lay the amend on
the table. Carried by a noie Of s. o27.
Convention adjourned.
TWENTY NINTH DAT.