New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-06
THE BELGIAN CONSTITUTION.
PROPOSALS FOR EXTENDING THE SUFFRAGE
TO TAXPAYING woRKMEN.

| Brussels. Nov. 3.-Almost a year ago, upon
| motion OF NJ. Jsnson committee appointed by
| the Belgian Chamber 10 revise the Constitution
| The report, which has been awaited anxiously for
months by members OF all parties, made public
| few days ago by NJ. de Smet dc Mayer the Commit
| tees chairman. NJ. de smet presented his recon
mendations than he at first intended, rs he
found that unanimous report out OF the question
As was almost TO be expected from the complexion
of the Committee the members failed to agree upon
all Of the changes proposed. The report has been
received tlrefore with varying degrees Of enthusiasm
praise and condemnation.
AS the number Of voters is greatly increased &C
according to its terms, the organs OF the Labor party
welcome 1t as q concession to their demands and an
omen OF the future. The LiberaA the other hand
not entirely content, they fear that the addi
tiOnal sufragsts would be taken mainly from the
clerical ranks. There is. therefore, every sign OF a
long debate when the report is called up for con
sderaton BY the Belgian Chambers.
The report Is Unexpectedly yOluminOus. and con-
tans many discussions hardly necessary. IL germane,
to the subject Ii begins with an unrescrved condem-
nation of the theories and practices OF the Socialists,
but with recognition Of the fact that the elective fran
chise no longer be Withheld from the working
classes. Universal suffrage, however, according to
NJ de smet and his colleagues, cannot be tolerated.
as II would be dangerous to the public liberties and
contrary TO the spirit and convictions Of the Belgian
people"
Turning their attention to Articles XLVII, LII
and LVI OF the present Constitution, which regulate
and define the electoral privileges the sgnerS Of the
majority report declare their opposition to standard
OF education the only condition OF the right TO vote.
They propose that in the future the elective fran
chise shall be exercised by all citizens twenty-five
years old who pay direct tax Of ten francs or who
pay certain tax upon the houses or property which
they rent or own who possess university degrees.
The amount of property tax which Is to govern the
privilege OF the elective franchise is TO be dependent
upon the size Of the town place. In cities or
communities OF 5000 Inhabitants less, the amount
is to be 30 francs; in communities containing from
5000 to 10000 inhabitants AZ francs and in commu-
mites of more than 10000 inhabitants. go francs.
1t needs no discussion to show that these latter pro-
posals contain elements Of injustice which would nat
urally cause opposition and discomfort among some
Of the inhabitants
There are s94 $50 houses In Belgium to-day, on
which a ground tax Of from 80 TO so francs is paid
o75 OF these houses taxed from 80 TO AZ francs
being In communities of 5000 inhabitants and under.
AS is well known, these communities are mainly Cath
olic and would thus assure greater power to the Cer'
ical party The electors under the present system
number throughout the country about $4,000 1t
is estimated that II NJ de Smets proposals be adopted
this number will be Increased to 100000.
The report recommends, furthermore, that in the
future every Belgian may he elected to the Senate
who has attained the age of forty years and
pays 1000 francs direct taxes. THIS Is
no change in the present age limit
although the amount of is reduced from LOO
gulden required by the Constitution as it stands to-
day The privilege Of representation the report
recommends should be given also to men "who OCCUPY
Il high position, who have at some time occupied
such n position. 1t may I've difficult TO decide what
Is meant by high position"
These, in the main, are the changes proposed BY
NJ de Smet and his colleagues minority report
signed by Messrs Frere and Orban favor the adoption
of the law passed in 1883 for communal elections.
making the exercise of the right to vote conditional
upon n certain standard Of education The adoption
OF this report would increase the number OF voters
from 1874 900 To 100000.
1t il impossible To say when the reports win be con
sidered by the Chambers. NJ de smet himself says
that the prospects the revision gloomy unless
compromise be reached before the matter comes
ND for debate. He hopes that the members Of the
minority will yet cast their votes with the majority.
According 10 Article CXXXI Of the present Consti-
tuition that instrument only be revised when two
thirds of the members OF the Chambers are present,
and two thirds of this number favor the revision IL
Is hardly possible that VI. de Smet Will secure that
number of partbans in time 10 insure his victory.