The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-07-10
THE AMENDMENT
Full Text OF the Proposed Change In
the North Carolina Constitution.


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The following is the amendment TO
article 6 OF the state constitution,
adopted by the general assembly OF
1899, and amended June 14th. 1900, and
to be submitted TO the voters for rati-
hcation next August:
Section /. That article VI of the
constitution of North Carolina be. and
the same is hereby abrogated, and in
lieu thereof shall be substituted the fol-
living article o. SAID constitution. as
an entire and indivisible plan OF suf-
frage:
ARTICLE VI.
SUFFRAGE AND ELIGIBILITY TO
Observation-Disclosures OF AN
ELECTOR-
Section 1. Every male person born
in the United States, and every male
person who has been naturalized,
twenty-one years of age and possess
ing the qualifications set out in this
article, shall be entitled TO vote at any
election by the people in the state, ex-
cept as herein otherwise provided.
Sec. 2. He shall ave resided in the
state of North Carolina for two years,
in the u six months, and in the
precinct, ward or other election district
in which he offers to vote, four 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 precinct, ward or other election dis
trict from which he a removed. until
four 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 pun
ishment of which now is, or may here
after be, Imprisonment in the states
prison, shall be permitted to vote, un-
less said person shall be first restored
to citizenship in the manner prescribed
by law.
Sec. 8. Every person offering to
vote shall be at the time a legally reg
by law land the general assembly OF
North Carolina shall enact general
registration laws to carry into effect
the provisions of this article.
Sec. 4. Every person presenting him.
self for registration shall be able to
read and write n section Of the con-
stitution in the English language; and,
before he shall be entitled to vote. he
shall have paid on or before first day
of May of the year in which he pro-
poses to vote his poll tax for the pre-
vious year as prescribed by article 8,
section l, of the constitution, but no
male person who was, on January 1,
1867, or at any time prior thereto, en-
titled to vote under the laws of any
state in the United States wherein he
then resided, and no linea descendant
Of any such person shall be denied the
right to register and vote at any cleo
ton in this state by reason of his fail
$500 - fho In, NC ~
cation herein prescribed, provided he
shall have registered in accordance
with the terms of his section prior to
December /, 1908. The general assem-
bly, shall provide for registration Of all
persons entitled to vote without the ed
ucational qualifications herein pre-
Scribed, and shall on or before NOvem-
Der l, 1908, provide for the making of a
permanent record of such registration,
and all persons so registered shall for
ever thereafter have the right to vote
at all elections by the people in this
state, unless disqualified under section
2 Of this article, provided u person
shall have paid his poll tax as above
required.
Sec. 5. That this amendment to the
constitution is presented and adopted
as one indivisible plan for the regula-
ton of the suffrage with the intent
and purpose to SO connect the differ
ent parts and to make them so depen-
dent upon each other that the whole
shall stand or fall together.
Sec. 6. All elections by the people
shall be by ballot, and all elections by
the general assembly shall be viva
voice..
Sec. {. Every voter in North Caro-
lima, except as in this article disqual-
flied, shall be eligible to Office, but be-
fore entering upon, the duties of the
office he shall take and subscribe the
following oath:
"I--, do Solemnly swear
Cor afirm) that L will support and
maintain the constitution and laws
of the United States, and the constitu-
ton and laws of North Carolina not
inconsistent Herewith, and that 1 will
faithfully discharge the duties of my
office as So help me
God"
Sec. s. The following classes of per-
sons hall be disqualified for office:
First, all persons who shall deny the
being Of Almighty God. Second, all
persons who shall have been convicted
or confessed their guilt on indictment
pending, and whether sentenced OF not
under judgment suspended, OF any
treason or felony, or any other crime
for which the punishment may be i'm
~prisonement in the p~enitentiary, since
becoming citizens of the United States,
or corruption and malpractice in office.
unless such person shall be restored
to the rights of citizenship in a manner
prescribed by law.
Sec. 9. That this amendment of the
constitution shall go into effect on the
first day of July, nineteen hundred and
two, if a majority of the votes cast
at the next general election shall be
cast in favor of the suffrage amend
ment.
Sec. II. This amendment TO the con-
stitution shall be submitted at the nex'
general election to the qualified vot-
ers of the state in the same manner
and under the same rules and regula-
tons as is provided in the law regulat-
ing general elections in this state, and al
said election those persons desiring to
vote for such amendment shall cast
a written or printed ballot with the
words, For Suffrage Amendment.
thereon; and those opposed a ballot
with the words, Against Suffrage
Amendment" thereon.
! Sec. III. The vote cast at said cleo.
ton shall be counted, returned and
canyassed and the result announced
and declared under the same rules and