The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-01
THE DORTcH LAW.

The Chattanooga Argus, replying to a recent artl
Gle In The Bdnntr, says
The Ndihuhe Bdulfr does not sec politics and po-
litcal methods IN Nashville ~ they exist IN cities
and towns adjacent Ia tho State lues 0f Georgia
and Alabama We can possibly appreciate the po.
siiOn OF paper situated away from the real
cause Of trouble and the actual criminal ties
that make fair elections II dolusiOn aud
snare, Hut down hero the situation N dli.
icront We hear u continually charged on all
hands and even by Republican,, that from 700 10
100 Illegal cOlOrVd votes were cast hero IN tho
Federal elections last November II N unquestlun-
able that these charges are 20 greater or less ex
tent true, and hence Il Il that The Argus unquali.
lodl, indoros the measure known ~ the Dortoh
bill The HuHncr, IN Hpcaklng Of our claim that the
bill simply means the rule oi the Intelligent ne
grocs, siya "The Argus deserves credit ion iis frank
, declarations concerning the meaning Of the Dorich
law, but We think II must admit that
such meaning IN conflict with the
We should ho lacking IN our sense OF Justice - the
| public II We were not frank IN Our declarations.
Whatever the law may mean, Il Is undoubtedly
true that the effect Is 10 keep those not capable of
radlng or writing from voting. That class Il not
composed, ~ rule Of property holders, ana hence
u Il TO Tie credit Of the Legislature and Tor the
great educational Incentive, that the Dorlch bill
/ has become law.
Tic Argw seems 10 forgot that tho registration
law was designed especially To prevent illegal yot
Ing AMI to make the importation Of Illegal voters
of no avail In controlling elections Tho ustcnslhle
purpose Of tho porch law II 10 protect the rndi
yidunl voter nom intimidation aud corruptlng
intcucpncca Of election bummeu and strikers
The defect In the porich law Is the omission
of the "asslstaucc" clause, such an omission being
| In cicct . discrimination against certain
class OF yoicn aud CONTRARY 10 the Constitution
n the eject oi tho bin l. what mo ArDus declares
| and Commcnds 10 disimnchisc nlltemte voters
then II l. clearly unconstitutional. However much
ne A'gus aud the Democratic majority OF the Lex.
islaturo may approve Of such Acknowledgement
such law oanuoi stand when tho bill OF rights
aud tho fundamental law Of state positively pro
hlblt such discrimination. 49, Ndshrlf Banner.
The Banner is right The omission Of
the assistance" clause In case OF illitcracy
is the great defect Of the Dortch bill aud
placed before tho Supreme Court would
result In the bill being declared uncon-
stiiuiionnl. The Constitution makes no
condition save that the voter shall be n
male person Of the ago Of twenty.one
years. being a citizen Of the United States
and a resident Of this State for twelve
months. and Of the county wherein he
may offer his vote Tor six months next
preceding the day Of election,
and there shall Be no qualification at
thched 10 ihs night Of sualre. except
dat each voter shall give 70 the judge. Of
election when be odefs 20 vote. ssiidse-
tory erduuue hEi be has paid HE po.i
iuz nsica.oo nE'6nn him iof speh presed-
ING period nf ths Legislature shall pre-
scribe and NJ spch tunes as may b. pre-
srribed BY low, without which bic vote
cpnnm be- roosrud" And The Bal Of
kgbu ssyt thui 'rbs risbi u suffrage. A.
hef,iuaflr 5eeuo5 shall never b. denied
- sry pcnos eatre3 thereto. except
uPgn ogur.eiioa b. jury d some in-
ilmg,s aims, previously ascortained and
declared ~ iau, and judgment thereon
BY q court Of competent Jurisdiction"
Tho Dorich bill makes illilcracy a test,
and makes Il not general. but only partial.
applying to counties Of 10000 population.