The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1895-02-02
FALLS. MICHIGAN. SATURDAY. FEBRUARY a. 1905.

than fity districts subject 10 the super
vision OF the county commissioner, a
person holding at the time OF his or her
election n first grade certificate shall be
eligible" According TO the bill, the com
missioner shall be elected for term OF
four years. The billiailed to pass on Tues
day, but the vote was reconsidered and
the bill laid on the table for special order
on Tuesday next, when its friends hope
to secure it's passage. 1t contains many
excellent points, but the high qualifca-
tion provisions may, il the bill becomes
law, prove hardship to many "back-
woods" counties.
Attorney General Fred Maynard, at
the request OF "Gad" Smith, OF Mar
quette, has given an exhaustive opinion
on the effect OF the recent amendments
to the constitution relative to the quail
fications OF voters. Mr. Smiths letter
to the attorney general was as follows:
"Will you have the kindness TO give me
your opinion as to the effect OF the recent
amendment TO the constitution, relative
TO the qualifications OF electors?
IL. Is IL not true that all male inhab-
tants OF foreign birth who have resided
in this state two years and six months
prior TO November 8, 1894, and who
had declared their intention TO become
citizens OF the United States, two years
and six months prior 10 that date, can
vote without getting their final papers,
provided they comply with the pro-
vision as to residence7
"2. Ia IL not equally true that all
others must get their final papers or be-
come citizens before they will be entitled
| to voter
Anticipating an early reply TO the
above questions, / ask permission to pub
lish your letter when received, as an
answer 20 the many who have applied
TO mo for information on the subiectf"
The attorney general declares that the
amendments are clear, and can be an
swcred in the affirmative, and continues: I:
"The question il asked, Must for
eigner become full American citizen be-
fore he can vote in this state2' and,
second, III so, does this affect male
inhabitants OF foreign birth, who, before
this section was amended may have
|
any foreigners by this section as amended
isiranchised2
MY answer to the question is this :
No male inhabitant OF foreign birth now
residing in this state can vote at any
election held in this state until he shall
become citizen 81 the United States I,
and male inhabitant SO born, who may
have been qualified elector last Novem-
ber, cannot vote next spring, unless he
shall be, 10y that time, a citizen of the
United States provided, OF course, that
he does not come within the express
constitutional exception, viz: A resi-
dence OF two years and six months prior
To November, 8, 1891, and his having
made declaration OF his intention 10
become citizen OF the United States
two years aud six months prior TO said
last named date. In such "A case, OF
course, such an inhabitant can continue
| TO vote.
"As il we'll known, foreigner can be-
come full American citizen, other con-
di;ions being complied with, by actually
residing within the United States atleast
five years.
"The people of the state OF Michigan,
by an overwhelming majority, have de-
termined who shall be qualified electors.
They have placed their decree in the con
stitution Of the state, and from that
decree there il no appeal, and there IL
must stand M the supreme law, to be
obeyed by all. :"
A joint resolution was passed on
Tuesday, resolving that the members Of
the Michigan legislature employ all hon
orable means and prevail upon the
Michigan senators and representatives
in the United States congress TO do all
in their power to cause Mackinac Island
To be retained as public park.
Hon. Chase s. Osborn, OF Sault Ste.
Marie, state game and fish warden, has
been in the city this week, expediting
certain fish and game preservation laws.
A flood Of bills on this subject have been
introduced, but the gist Of the legislation
that will follow cannot as yet be even
guessed at. G.. III. w.