The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-04-03
THE vExED VOTING QUESTION.

The Indications of the votes so far
taken in the convention on the woman
suffrage question are that it will be
provided for, directly, in the body of
the constitution. The Herald believes
that to be the only proper way to dis
pose of the question.
Opinions seem TO be divided as to
the right which women viii have to
vote previous to the admission of the
State of Utah. We hold to our first
view as to this matter. But there is
another voting question to be con-
sidered with that Of voting on the
ratification question. It is in refer
ence to state officers.
The enabling act provides for two
future elections under certain contin-
gencies. First for the ratification Of
the constitution. second for the cleo
Ts,5n Of state officers. The first is to be
held the Tuesday next after the first
Monday of next November, but the
second may or may not take place at
that time. The convention may pro-
vide for the election of officers for
full state government. including the
Legislature and a Representative in
Congress on the same day that the
ratification is to be held under the
enabling act. But that is not manda-
tory: it may be held at some other time
time. if the convention shall so pro-
vide.
The qualifications of voters at the
two elections may be different There
are two classes of voters provided for
IL the enabling act. One class to vote
on the ratification of the constitution,
the other for the state officers. The
qualifications of the first class are de-
lined in the enabling act. Those of the
other class may be provided for in the
state constitution.
Sections two four, FIVE and nineteen
of the enabling act contain all the pro-
visions relating to these elections in
that instrument. We quote once more
the provisions of section two:
THAT all male citizens of the United
States over the age of tWenty-one
years who have resided in said terri
tory for one year next prior to such
election. are hereby authorized to vote
for and choose delegates to form
convention in said territory
PERSONS IDSSSSSlIlE the QudAAlCdIlOnS
emitting them to vote for delegates
under this act shall be entitled to vote
on the ratification or rejection of the
Constitution under such rules or reg
llatsons as said convention may pre-
scribe, not in conflict with this act"
Thus far all is plain sailing. Persons
who have the qualifications for voting
for delegates may vote for the ratif-
cation or rejection of the Constitution.
The convention has no other powers
than those conferred by that act which
is its creator. Section four emphasizes
this:
THAT in case the constitution and
state government shall be formed in
compliance with this act. the conven-
ton forming the same shall provide
by ordinance for submitting said con-
stitution to the people of said state for
election 10 be held on the Tuesday
ember 1895 at which election, the quail
ifiea voters of said proposed state
shall vote directly for or against any
provisions separately submitted"
This term qualified voters" appears
70 signify those who are constituted
oualified voters by the enabling act
male citizens over 81 years of age, etc.
no provisions can be made in the
ordinance regulating the ratifying
election that are in conflict with the