The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-01-29

~ Inc necessity Tor legislation or tnlS
character has been demonstrated in
every State in the South, and especially
i'll those most exposed to the danger
of this ignorant and because thereof
easily corrupted vote. This is true espe-
cially in South Carolina, Mississippi and
Louisiana, and we but follow their OK
ample in proposing this amendment.
What is your opinion in regard the
Constitutionality of the amendments"
ut is a well settled and elemental Y
principle that each State has ihe abso-
lutte right to fix the qualification for the
suffrage, hence there can be 10 question
that we may prescribe the educa-
tional qualification. This In no aquneT
infringes upon the 10th amendm ent
The suggestion that he exception
does so is based upon the idea
that it in some way discriminates
against the negro. 1t is difficult 20 see
how this suggestion can be sustained
1t simply extends to a class of persons,
without regard to race or previous con
dition of servitude, the franchise. Those
negroes not coming within that class,
are not included in the exception. Why
may not one who has the right to fix
the standard for all persons, except such
as he may choose from such standard
If / may declare that all who enjoy my
hospitality shall be of cedtain class,
may | not, for good reasons, make an
exception in favor of some who have
claims upon me without offending others
of the excluded class, having no such
claims?
"Why will not an election law attain
the same end?
For several reasons. First, the right
to vote and the qualifications of the voter
should he fixed in the organic law. They
should be certain and easily understood.
No voter can be excluded under our
present Constitution by an election law
without doing violence to the Consti-
tuition and the conscience of the people.
We have passed through a condition in
North Carolina which should never
again recur. We must, III obedience to
the commands of those who sent us
here, give the people an opportunity TO
settle this question once and forever
1T must not again veX us and re-
main to vex our children. To fail to
give the people an opportunity to do
this great work will, in my Judgment.
disappoint their just expectations and
highest aspirations.
'"The great body of our people Of all
parties see in this amendment the only
opportunity to settle this question and
put the State in a position to 90 for
ward in the great work Of development
which new century promises"
u
TILE ANIENn1VINN-rr
The amendment proposed by the com
mittee is as follows:
The General Assembly of North Caro-
lima do enact
That article VI of the Constitution of
North Carolina be, and the same is
hereby repealed, and in lieu thereof shall
be substituted the following article of
said Constitutions:
ARTICLE VI.
Section I. Every male person born III
the United States and every male per-
son who has been naturalized, 21 years
of age and possessing the qualifications
set out in this article, shall be entitled
to vote at any election by the people
i'll the State. except as herein otherwise
provided.
Sec. ,. He shall have resided in the
State of North Carolina for two years,
III the county nine months, and III the
precinct, ward or other district III
which he offers to vote, six months next
preceding the election: Provided, That
removal from one precinct, ward or
other election district, to another in
the same county, shall not operate to
deprive any person of the right to vote
in the precinct, ward or other election
district, from which he has removed
until six months after such removal.
No person who has been convicted or
who has confessed his guilt in open
court upon indictment. of any crime.
the punishment of which now is, OF
may hereafter he, Imprisonment in the
State prison, shall be permitted to vote
unless the said person shall be first re-
stored to citizenship in the manner
prescribed by law.
Sec. 3. Every person Offering to vote
shall be at the time a legally registered
voter as herein prescribed and in the
manner hereafter provided by law, and
the General Assembly OF North Caro-.
lna shall enact general registration
laws to carry into effect the provisions
of this article.
Sec. 4. Any person presenting himself
for registration or voting shall be able
TO read and write any part of the Con
stitution in the English language, and
shall have paid by the first day of Feb
ruary the poll tax for the previous year,
as prescribed by law. and shall eX-
hibit the receipt therefor. Poll taxes
shall he IA lien only on assessed property.
and no process shall issue TO enforce
the collection of the same except
against assessed property.
Section ). No male person who was
on January /. 1867. or at any time priol
thereto, entitled 10 vote under the laws
Continued on Sixth Page.)