The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-09-18
THE NEW CONSTITUTION.
SOME OF THE PROPOSITIONS THAT
HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED.

mission of New Counties--A New Jury
system--Municipal Elections and Di-
vorce.
COLUMBIA, Sept. 11.-Here are the
important propositions that have been
offered for the serious consideration
of the people of South Carolina,
through its delegates in the conven-
ton. The most important of the
batch submitted comes from Senator
Efrd, one of the recognized Reform
leaders of the State. It was Mr.. Efrd
who introduced the Convention bill in
the Senate. His plan of regulating
the suffrage is as follows.
| THE RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE.
Section 1. All elections shall be by
ballot. u
Section Q. Every male citizen of the
United States and every male person
of foreign birth who has lawfully ex-
pressed his intention of becoming a
citizen of the United States, who has
attained the age of 81 years and who
shall have resided in the State for
three years and in the county and pre-
cinct In which he offers to vote fort two
years next preceding the election at
which he offers to vote, and who shall
have paid all State and county and
poll taxes legally assessed against him
! for the two years next preceding the
election at which he offers to vote,
within the time allowed by law for
payment without penalty, shall be
permitted to vote at any election in
this State, provided such elector, as
further qualification, possesses either
one of the following qualifications:
First. He shall be able to read in the
English language, and give reason
able Interpretation to any section OF
this Constitution, or
Second. He shall be able to copy in
a legible English writing any section
of this Constitution.
Third. Or he must pay taxes on
three hundred dollars worth of prop
erty, real or personal, or both.
Fourth. Or he must own in fee SIM
ple for life, in trust, or as tenant for
years, lot or piece of land in the
county in which he offers to vote.
Fifth. He must have been entitled
to vote under the laws of this State on
the LIST day of November, A. D. 1860.
Section 8. It shall be the duty of the
Legislature from time to time to pro-
vide for the registration of electors,
and such registration shall be conclu-
sive evidence to all election officers,
Judges and Courts of the qualifica-
tions of the electors to vote under this
Constitution. :,
Section 4. The General Assembly
shall never pass any law that will de-
prive any of the citizens of the right
of suffrage, except for treason, muir
der, burglary, larceny, perjury, forg-
cry or any other infamous crime, or
duelling, whereof the person shall
have been duly tried and convicted,
excepting as also above provided in
this article; also the following classes
of persons shall not be allowed to vote
in this State:
1. Persons under 81 years of age.
2. Idiots, lunatics.
8. All paupers supported by any
county.
| 4. All soldiers, mariners and sea-
men employed in the service OF the
army or navy of the United States.
| Section 4. For the purpose of voting
lno person shall be deemed to have lost
his residence by reason of absence
while employed in the service of the
United States, nor while engaged upon
1.-THE waters of this State or the United
States or of the high seas, nor while
temporarily absent from the State.
Section 5. No soldier, seamen or
marine in the army or navy Of the
United States shall be deemed resi-
dent of this State in consequence OF
having been stationed therein.
| Section 6. Electors shall in all cases.
except treason, felony or breach of the
peace, be privileged from arrest and
civil process during their attendance
at elections and in going to and re-
turning from the same.
Section z. Every person entitled to
vote at any election shall be eligible
to any Office which now is, or hereaf-
ter shall be, elective by the people in
the county where he shall have resid.
ed two years previous to such election,
except as otherwise provided in this
Constitution or the Constitution and
laws of the United States.
Section 9. IPresid electors shall
be elected by the people.
/ Section 10. In all elections held by
the people under this Constitution the
person or persons who shall receive
the highest number of votes shall be
declared elected.
NEW COUNTIES AND COURTS.
Mr.. Efrd, of Lexington, also offered
a resolution which will prove vital to
those who have new county schemes
under way. The resolution also deals
with the county officers and County
Courts. The resolution reads
| Section /. Each county shall form
one election district.
Section Q. The present boundaries
of the counties of the States shall re-
main as now established until other
wise provided by law.
Section 8. In each county shall be
elected by the qualified electors thereof,
on the first Tuesday after the first
Monday in November, A. D. 1896, and
on the same day in every fourth year
thereafter, a clerk of the Court of
Common Pleas and General Sessions,
sheriff, a county Judge, who shall
hold their offices for the term of four
years and until their successors are
elected and qualified, and such other