Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-05
THE SUFFRAGE QUESTION.
Great RcstiessnesS because of Tn
limited Negro Suffrage.
The Monteomerv AdvertI.

The Montgomery Advertiser.
Montgomery, Ala, December 2 1853.
To the Editor of the Dispatch:
In reply TO yours Of recent date seeking
information as to the modification Of sur
frage clause Of the Alabama State Con-
sdtution since Reconstruction times, /
beg leave TO say, that the Constitution
under which We live was adopted in
1910. 1t was made by q body of the
Wlsest men that ever assembled I'm this
state. The Constitution Of 1865 was made
by a body almost entirely composed OF
carpet-baggers and negroes and with
one exception. all claimed alegience lO
the Republican party. The State was
stih resting under the dread Of force
bills and hostile Federal legislation when
the convention OF 1873 assembled. and
many things that il was thought would
be advantageous had 20 be omitted from
the Constitution, on the ground of policy.
The Constitution Of 1865 provided against
the right Of holding Office or voting as
fellows:
!. Those who I'm the late war inflicted
or caused TO be inflicted any unusual pun
ishment upon any soldier. sailor. marine
employee, or citizen Of the United States,
or who in any other way violated the
rules of civilized warfare.
>. Those who may be disqualified from
holding office under the fourteenth amend
ment.
As prerequisite to registering as
voter, il was necessary 10 take and sul-
scribe the following oath. Il do sOlemnly
swear (or affirm that / will support auc
maintain the Constitution ana laws Of
the State of Alabama; that 1 am not cN-
cluded from registering 10y any OF the
clauses in section 3 Of Chapter VII Ghey
are in substance given above of the Con-
stltutiOn of the State Of Alabama: tAat
! Will never cOuntenance or aid in the
secession of this state from the United
States; that / accept the civil and pCliti-
cal equality Of all men, and agree not iO
attempt 10 deprive any person or persons
on account OF color. race. or previous con-
dltOn, of any civil or political right.
privilege, or immunity enjoyed by any
other class Of men; and. Furthermore.
that | Will not in any way attempt 20
iniure any person or persons on account
OF past or present support Of the Gov
eminent of the United States. the laws
of the United States, or the principle OF
the political and civil equality of all men.
or for animation with any political party
Our present Constitution requires mo-
test oath, requires the voter 10 be -
years Cd. specifies time Of residence iu
state, county, and city, and excludes
from voting only those who are guilty
of treason. or crimes punishable BY i'm
prisOnment in the penitentary. ard idiots
There is no property or educational Ie-
striction as 20 voting i'm this State. There
is great rcStleSsneSs IN Alabama. because
of the unlimited negro suffrage. but 40
way to limit il except through chang
i'm the Constitution. 4 law providing for
a vote on the question OF calling con-
stitutiOnal convention was enacted bv the
last Legislature. The Governor. after APP
proving the measure. and when the dele
cations had been nominated by Demo
cratic conventions changed his mind. re-
assembled the Legislature in extra ses-
sion. and whipped through a bill re-
peaiing the call Yours very truly.
W. W. SCREWS.