The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-02-15

of his horse: while the vicious and
reckless of both races who own moth
ing, and constitute the most active
element at elections, escape its pay
ment altogether.
Ii a property qualification Is feared
us likely at some time to follow the
adoption of the proposed amendment,
it is respectfully suggested that the
state constitution in Art. IL, Sec. 10.
already contains it. 1t is there provi-
ded that no one but a tax payer in Il
city or town can vote to levy tax
for school purposes. If a system
of local taxation for schools
shall he extended to the
the rural districts, the same rule must
he adopted, or property would be con-
fiscated under the taxing power, by
the votes of those who have children
and own nothing. 1t is believed that
all of your committee concede this TO
be true. and favor such a tax in school
districts. The undersigned can not
subscribe to the doctrine that the pay
ment of property tax is necessary TO
qualify one to vote in a city or school
district. and yet, that not even poll
tax should be required of him who
votes for governor and state officers;
unless it be true that the good of So
ciety is more involved in local cleo
tionS than in general elections, where
the highest interests of the lives, lib
erty and property Of all the people OF
the state are concerned.
The proposition involved in the
Joint resolution is not new, and Is
recognized in the constitutions of
MANY of the states
In Georgia the citizen cannot vote
unless he has paid all the taxes due
to the state. Constitution of 1858.
In Tennessee no one is permitted by
the constitution to vote unless he has
paid poll tax.
In New Hampshire no one can vote
who does not pay taxes to support
government, and this has been the
law since 1898.
In New Jersey, as in Texas, no
pauper can vote.
In Pennsylvania no man can vote
who has not paid state or county
tax, at least one month before the
election.
In Rhode Island no one can
vote who is not really and truly
possessed of real estate of the value of
of Sl34 above all membranes" and
his deed must have been recorded
ninety days before the election.
In Connecticut the voter must be of
good moral character, and must have
paid county tax before he offers to
vote. Constitution of 1873.
The tendency to relieve the ballot
box from the incubus of vice and ig-
norance is shown by the constitutions
of other states.
In Massachusetts the voter must he
able to write his name and read in
| the English language the constitII-
| ton of his state, while Missouri, Col
OradO and Florida. fix a period in the
near future after which an educational
| qualification shall be required.
While the undersigned do not advo-
cate property qualification, it is re-
spectfully submitted that liberty is
only such when regulated by law,
and that the union of communism
and democracy has through all time,
when successful, eliminated in deS-
potism the most terrible. There is
no error concerning vernment more
| fallaciouS than the belief that cleo
lions or the ballot are the sole basis
of liberty. Though liberty requires
elections, yet when they are not con-
/ trolled bydntelligence and patriotism,
| they become its most terrible enemies.
Those who achieved our indepeDd-
ence were more jealous than Re OF
their privileges, and when they Or
ganized new territories, suffered no
one to vote unless he had fixed in
terest in the soil. The act of the con-
, gress of July IL, 1887, organizing the
Northwest Territory, now covered by
the states of Ohio, Illinois and Indi-
ana, permitted no one to vote at Il
| territorial election unless he owned
| fifty acres of land. Sec. 10.
The men who made this law were
| the companions of Washington in
achieving independence, and staked
their fortunes and lives on the doc
trine that taxation and representa-
ton should go hand in hand"
The joint resolution proposes no
such extreme qualification as Jeffer-
son, Madison and the fathers of De-
mocracy imposed on the voters in ter
ritories. 1t requires not property
tax, but poll Tor head tax, and the
| advocates of manhood suffrage who
| fear it, must place a low estimate on
that manhood which rebels at paying
less than two dollars year to help
the state educate its children.
The Industrious of both races
would, in the judgment of the under
signed, gladly now engraft the change
on the constitution if it were sub
mitted to them. The proposition has
been twice canvassed in the senatorial
district embracing the capital of the
state, and twice approved by over
whelming majorities.
With firm confidence in the intel
hgence and patriotism of the laboring
and property voters of Texas,
the undersigned dissent from the re-
port of the committee, and recon-
mend the passage of the joint resolu-
ton, that the people may vote on the
same.
y. w. TERRELL,
BARNET GIBBS,
F. l.. JOHNSTON, of Shelby,
j. a. PEACOCK,
GEORGE PFEUFFER,
A. +. STRATToN.
Engrossed Bills.-Mr. Martin,
chairman, reported the correct en-
grossment of senate bills Nos. 10, AZ
and l03.
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS.
Mr.. Pope: a resolution providing
for two sessions of the senate daily;
the morning session from $50 a. IN.
to 1890 p. M, the afternoon session
from 2: 80 p. m. to 4: 30 p. IN.
Mr.. Gooch thought it would be I'M
wise to adopt such a rule, as the work
of the senate would not be expedited
by its adoption.
Mr.. Davis moved to strike out from
the resolution the times for adjourn
ment.
Mr.. Houston-I think that under
the rule the resolution should lie over
one day.
The Chair-If it changes the rule.
Mr.. Houston-If it fixes new rule,
it certainly changes the old rule.
The Chair-The resolution will lie
over.
On motion of Mr.. Terrell, Mr.. Pope
was made member of judiciary
committee No. ], and of constitution
al amendments.
Mr.. Davis: A resolution instruct
ing the sergeant-at-arms to procure
for the use of each senator copies of
the general laws of the sixteenth and
seventeenth legislatures. Referred.
Mr.. Stratton: A bill, by request,
authorizing the Gulf Harbor compa-
ny, of Galveston, to construct and
protect the pier and harbOr in the