The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1895-11-13
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
saseial Correspondence efMe la.el.igeneer.

COLUMBIA, 8. e., Nov. 11th. 1885.
The one thing for which tho Constitn-
tional Convention was announced to have
been called has been finished. The plan,
by which tits proposed to regulate the
suffrage, has been settled and given the
world for what it may be worth. There
was not as much Of fight over the plan
as was expected, and, indeed, most of the
contention was between the members OF
tho Reform faction. Most of this was on
the grounds of looking out for the poor
man, Of which 30 awfully much has been
heard in the Convention and is liable to
be heard on the stump. 1t took about a
week to agree upon the suffrage plan, and
while the committees report was not ex-
actly what everyone wanted, it. was
adopted in lieu Of something better"
There were great many Of the members
who had pet schemes that had to be agi-
tate6, and a great many thought they
had to 60 on record, and so great deal OF
time was consumed in record and history
making, in connection with the adoption
of the suffrage plan. The committee plan
was adopted in all substantial particulars
+ as the committee reported. The only
essential difference being in the refusal
of the Convention to agree to the propo-
ssition that the minority party be given
representation on the boards Of mana
gers. The Convention, Notwithstanding
the firm stand taken by Senator Tlllman,
declined by q decisive vote for bi-parti-
san boards.
Repested efforts were made to change
the essential provisions of the plan as to
the property qualification, but in vain.
The effort was made to strike out the
entire section fixing the requirements for
registration, but it failed, as did the
proposition to extend the time for the
operation Of the understanding clause"
1t took repeated votes on q variety OF
| phases to satisfy the advocates Of woman
suffrage that the Convention did not
want it il any shape or form. The advo-
Gates of woman suffrage were persistent,
and think that they have sown the seed
THAT win bear fruit in later years.
The threat has been made that the con-
stitutionality Of the plan will be tested.
AS the plan Is Of such vast importance its
main ideas are about on this line:
Ali elections shall be open and the
count in public.
Residence, in the State for two years, in
THE county oneyear and in the polling
district four months s.
Payment six months before any elec-
| ton Of poll and other taxes then due.
Registration is made prerequisite to the
right of voting. There Is to be new
Those registered on the. first registration
which is to be made permanent record
and entitle those registered In the first
enrolment to life registration. Up to
January lat, 1893, persons applying TO
register must either be able to read any
section Of the Constitution submitted by
| the registration officer, or be able to
| uderstand and explain any section"
when read to them. Those registered up
Ito 1893 are entitled to life registration.
After January 1st, 1898, all apply ying
for and entitled to registration must be
able to both read and write any section OF
the Constitution or be able to chow that
he has paid taxes on property In the State
assessed at $500 or more. The property
qualification is an alternative for those
unable 10 read and writeafter 1898. After
lS9S the idea is.t to have q straight educa-
those who own property, thereby having
fha E;rtaltiusnca 5and Trnnertv holding