The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1896-10-07
Shall there be a CONSTITUTE
convention?

convention? Mol
The elector shall designate his vote
Dy cross mark opposite the word
Yes or NO" as the cause may be,
IN the small space or square provided
therefor.
II it shall appear from such canvass
that majority OF the voters voting
at said election have voted in favor of
the same, 1t shall be the duty of the
Legislature, at its session next sue
ceeding such election, to provide by
proper enactment for calling such
vention and for conducting the
same.
There is no doubt that the present
constitution is ramshackle affair,
and that a full revision of the instru-
ment would be a benefit; but such a
constitutional convention would cost
the state not less than 800, 900; and it
is doubtful il the people are In a con-
dition to afford such an outlay at this
time. If we knew positively that the
reform element was about to take
possession Of the state and that such
constitutional convention would be
composed Of earnest and honest
friends of the people, we might be
willing to advise the voters to sus-
tain the proposition for a constitu.
tional convention. But if the same
kind OF men are elected to that con-
vention that have recently constitu-
ted a large part Of our legislative
hn of
might be more injurious to the people
than the present constitution, with all
its patches upon it. As an adviser Of
the people, we would suggest that
they vote down the pending PROPOSE
tlon and make any necessary amend
ments to that instrument by separate
votes as we are doing nowadays. Let US
see what is to be the outcome of the
future. Is there to be reform or are
things to grow worse? If we are to
sink still lower in the slough of pow
erty despond, and corruption, we
might get constitution much worse
than that which we now have. Let
the people consider all these things.
Another important proposition to
be submitted at the coming election
is one in reference to the right of vot-
ing. We quote from one of the daily
papers: ,g
An important amendment is pro-
posed to section OF article of the
cons titution, which defines the classes
of citizens who shall have the right OF
suffrage. This amendment limits the
suffrage to citizens of the United
States, who have been such for three
months prior to any election, and
eliminates that present provision Of
the constitution which permits those
who have declared their intention Of
becoming citizens, to vote. In other
words, il this amendment is adopted,
a residence Of five years and full citi-
zenship is required, where now the
declaration of intention to become a
citizen after one years residence is
sufficient. The amendment further
requires six months residence in the
state and thirty days in the election
district, where now but four months
Quirements. The text Of the amend
ment follows:
Section l. What persons are en-
titled to vote:
Every male person of the age of
twenty-one years or upwards belong
ing to either Of the following classes,
who has resided in this state six
months next preceding any election
shall be entitled to vote at such cleo
ton, in the election district of which
he shall at the time have been for
thirty days resident, for all offices
that now are, or hereafter may be,
elective by the people.
EirSt-CitiZens OF the United States
who have been such for the period of
three (3) months next preceding any
election.
Second-Persons of mixed white and
Indian blood, who have adopted the
customs and habits of civilization.
Third-PersOnS of Indian blood re-
siding 10 this state, who have adopted
the language, customs and ha bitS of
civilization, after an examination be-
fore any district oourt OF the state, in
such manner as may be provided by
law, and shall have been pronounced
by said court capable Of enjoying the
rights OF citizenship within the state
This contemplates radical change
in our existing law. Heretofore, for
the purpose of encouraging immigra-
tion, most of the western states gave
the right to vote to any settler after
he had simply declared his intention
to become citizen, and had resided in
the state for one year. This has, Of
course, led to some Inconvenience, as
there is large body of men who, in
the first year Of their residence, know
little about our laws and customs. At
the same time it may be argued
that the newcomer from England,
Ireland, Germany or Scandal, who had
lived year in this State, is as we'll
fitted to vote as the Indian who has
made civilized man of himself with a
pair Of pants and bottle Of whiskey.
The foreigner who comes to us is gen.
orally drawn here, more or less, by his
love of liberty and his appreciation of
our institutions. He may vote wrong
the first year or two, or he may vote
right; but he finds around him men of
his own race who have lived here for
years, and who are able to counsel
with and advise him. We don't like
the idea Of having in our midst a
large body OF people. otherwise unob-
jectionab.e. who are not permitted to
have any voice in the making of the
laws which govern them. Such a
class become necessarily a kind of
pariahs. occupying lower legal status
than the rest of the community.
The Farmers Alliances should be