Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-05-20
convention adiqurnstl until this morn.

Ing
Dover, May 10. Yesterdays session
OF the convention did not accomplish as
much ms on Monday, though ir some
respects the discussion was quite lively,
notably the argument between Mr..
SpruancA and Judge Bradford over an
amendment TO the clause providing for
the purity OF The ballot, which was in
troduced and advocated by the latter.
The convention. Furthermore, by q
decisive vote, rejectsd the amendment
offered on Monday by Mr.. Ellegood pro-
hihiting members OF the General As
sembly from accepting free passes or
free transportation on the railroads.
The only matter ether than the above
before the morning session was an
amendment proposed by Mr.. Lavender
TO increase the registration fee to 81,
ir lieu OF tho 81 recommended by the
committee. The amendment met with
the approval OF only six out of tho 90
voting, and was therefore rejected.
DIR. Pratt wanted to constitute. a
board OF appeals TO deal with the dis.
puies arising over registration, instead
OF allowing the Judge of the county in
which the controversy arises to deal
with the matter, but the convention
again decided to abide by the report.
In regard 10 the length of time before
election day in which voters can regis
ter, the committees report fixed the
limit at 90. but Mr.. Bradford thought
the time too short, believing that u
should be- SO heightened as to cover the
party primaries. and the section was
amended SO as TO read lone hundred
and twenty days.
When section G OF the report was
reached Mr.. Bradford stated that In
view of the recent passage by the Leg
islature OF bill changing tho board of
canvass, it would be necessary to
amend the section considerably, and
upon bis suggestion it was laid upon
the table for the present.
To section Z Mr., bradford then offered
amendments designed to punish any
person who, outside OF the State. at
tenipts to bride or corrupt voter in
the State. The main amendment read
Every person charged with the
commission, while out OF the State. OF
an Of the offences enumerated in this
| section, and by this section made pun
ishahle. whether committed in or out
of the State, may be prosecuted under
SECTION OF this article IN any county iu
which he shall be arrested on such
charge"
Mr.. Spruance was very emphatic 10
his opposition to the above amendment
and said that the idea was new 10 him
new so far as constitution making was
concerned, new. also, so far as la1
making was concerned. The matters
contained 10 the proposed amendment,
be claimed, were fit subjects for the
General Assembly to deal with. and
that the convention would be transcend
ing its power should the amendment
lie placed 10 the Constitution. at ID
dangerous" said Mr.. Spruance, ''ano
besides am satisfied that IL is uncon
stitutional. We are mt here to formu
late criminal code, but our constitu
ents ssnt us to Dover to make consti
| tuition.
Mr.. Bradford denied all the asser
tions made by MIR. Spruance, said tb,
amendments were constitutional ant
further, that the reputable newspaper
OF the State without regard to party
were in favor of the most stringent
means to protect the purity OF tht
ballot.
Mr.. SpruanGe, in reply, said that b,
had every respect for the newspapers,
but when ne desired to know the law il
was not necessary for him to consul
| them.
The vots resulted in favor of th,
adoption Of the amendment by vot,
of IL to 8.
Mr.. Spruancs wanted to strike ou
| the clause making it crime to be-
upon the result OF an election and thu
yeas and nays resulted in tho defeat O.
the proposition by vote Of II to Z.
Mr. Salisbury offered a further
amendment qualifying the restriction
of that portion OF the section having
reference TO wRgers by inserting th,
words with intent to influence th,
vote of an election thereby" but tbi
convention rejected the amendment, tb,
vote being IA to 8.
Another amendment to eliminate the
portion of the section making il
crime for man to influence an othei
to register was defeated also by vvt,
of II to Z.
The minimum imprisonment for de
terring a man from registering was re
duced from ak months to one month
but an effort TO reduce the maximum
fino from So, 600 to 81. 900 failed.
An amendment to make the maxi
mum term of imprisonment three year
instead Of five WIS agreed to, afte
which the convention adjourned unit
this morning.