The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1890-08-22
THE SUFFRAGE QUESTION.
No Feasible Plan introduced.
The AustraIlen Ballet system Meets with
the Approval Of the Majority.

the Approval Of the Majority.
Jackson, Miss, Aug. 1S.--The
literature of Mississippi Constitn.
linnal question Was enriched to-
day by The presentation of a. nun
Der OF plans for the settlement of
the suffrage question, none of
which seems 10 have struck a key
note of popular approval as far as
the same may be gagged by The
sentiments OF The members Of The
convention. In fact, no plan has
as yet been submitted upon which
any considerable number of the
delegates are able 10 agree, and it
is within The limits of probability
that the convention may content
itself with adopting The Ausirali-
an ballot system, a proceeding
which might have been encOm-
passed by ordinary legislation
without the aid of a constitutional
Convention.
The great obstacle in The way Of
a radical change of the suffrage
laws is section Is OF the Constitu-
ton of Mississippi, which distinct
" prohibits an educational or
property qualification. II is cOn-
tended by many able lawyers that
this clause, Is not binding upon the
Stale and may be set aside at
pleasure, while other equally emf.
nenl legal minds hold that section
IS was one of the conditions i'm
posed upon Mississippi when she
re.entered the Union, and that the
present Constitutional Convention
is bound by il unless Congress shall
consent to relieve the State of its
obligations III this respect. Some
are in favor of memoralizIng Con-
gress upon the subject, hut the
icea does not meet with general ia
v0r.
The plans thus far submitted for
regulating the suffrage r those of
Judge CalhoOn, the president Of
the convention, and Delegates
Hayes, ChriSman, Campbell and
Kennedy.
Judge CalhGon's plan embraces
the Australian ballot system, pre-.
payment of poll tax for twelve
months proceeding al election and
Acknowledgement for petty lar.
cenv.
Mr.. Mayes proposes 10 give the
prepOnderance OF power 10 the
white counties by allowing them
increased representation in the
Legislature, comforting upon that
body the right to elect The Govern
or and all other State officers.
Delegate Kennedy would make
The payment of pOll.tax for two
years Il prerequisite to voting.
Delegate Campbell's plan provides
for plural voting, comforting an ad
diIional vote upon each owner Of
land to The value $1,000, or who
pays taxes to the amount of $40.
The same delegate also submitted
IA scheme giving an extra vote to
all who are related within the
third degree 10 the owner, male or
female, OF real property TO the
value of $3.50. All of these vari-
ons systems have been referred 10
The Committee on Franchise, who
are expected to make their report
on Saturday next, when the real
work of the convention will begin.
Among other resolutions sub
milted to-day was one prohibiting
alien ON nership of land, and an.
other providing for The abolition
of the convict lease system after
January l, 1895.
MIR. Kennedy, OF Clay, moved an
amendment TO make residence in
the State three years, and in the
county two years, with a poll-tax
of 50.
Mr.. Mayes, or Lafayette, sub
mitted an ordinance 10 abolish the
convict leasing system after Janu-
airy /, 1885, or sooner if practical
bic, aud on his motion a commit.
lee of seven was appointed to con-
slider all propositions relating to
the penifentiary.
The plan of suffrage submitted
by Mr.. billiard, of NOxubee, is re-
apporliOning s. as To give the bal
ance OF power 10 the white cUun'
ties ; also providing for election by
the Legislature oil State officers
and the appointment by the Gov
ernOr OF the county and district
officers. g
Mr.. McLaurin, of Rankin, filed a
resolution prohibiting alien owner
ship of lands.