The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-01-02

~ substance of n bill drafted
~ by Judge Crumpacker. of
indiana, and of his argu-
ment for the reduction of representa-
ton in congress of states which enact
unfair restrictions upon the suffrage
aimed especially at the negro. We
have since received the copy of re-
ply 10 Mr.. Crumpacker's bill and ar
gument made by Representative Will
son, of South Carolina, who as chair
man of the judiciary committee Of the
constitutional convention OF 1895 had
much to do with shaping the present
suffrage lays of South Carolina; and
fair play entities Mr.. Wilson to an
equal hearing.
The gentleman from South Carolina
does not consider the merits or de-
merits of the Crumpacker propositions;
he simply presents a brief showing
that congress has no constitution ii
authority in the premises. "There is
says he, mo power under section .,
Article XIV of the constitution, or un-
der any other provision of that in
strument by which congress can de-
prve any state of a congressman or
Of a vote for president in the electoral
college because of the suffrage pro-
visions of any state constitution. The
thirteenth. fourteenth and fifteenth
amendments abolish slavery and in
voluntary servitude, except as pun
ishment for crime, throughout the
United States and all places subject
to their jurisdiction. The fourteenth
amendment has several objects: 1. 1t
declares all persons born or natural
lied in the United States, and subject
to the jurisdiction thereof, to be citi-
zens of the United States and of the
state wherein they reside; and it for
bids any state to make or enforce any
law which shall abrdge the privi-
leges or immunities Of citizens of the
United States, or to deprive any per-
son of life, liberty, or property. with
out due process of the law, or to deny
any person within it's jurisdiction the
equal protection of the laws. .. 1t
provides that when the right to vote
at any election for the choice of cleo
tors for president or vice president
of the United States. representatives
in congress, the executive and judi
cial officers Of a state, or the men,
bers of the legislature thereof. is de-
MED to any of the male inhabitants
of such state, being twenty-one years
of age, and citizens of the United
States, or in any way abridged, eX-
cept for participation in rebellion or
other crime, the basis of congressional
representation therein shall be reduced
in proportion which the number of
such male citizens shall bear TO the
whole number of male citizens, twen-
ty-one years of age In such states.
The third and fourth sections have no
bearing here. The fifteenth amend
ment declares that the right Of citi-
zens Of the United States to vote shall
not be denied or abridged by the
United States or any state, on acf-
count of race, color, or previous condl-
tion Of servitude.
1.-THE fourteenth amendment was in
negro race. Neither the constitution
nor the fourteenth amendment makes
all citizens voters. The fifteenth
amendment does not confer the right
of suffrage upon any one; it simply
prevents a state from giving pref
erence TO one citizen of the United
States over another on account OF
race, color, or previous condition of
se-vitude. 1t cXempts citizens OF the
United States from discrimination in
the exercise of the elective franchise
on account of race, color, or previous
condition OF servitudc. The r.sht TO
vote in the state comes from the
state, but the right Of exemption from
the prohibited discrimination comes
from the United states. The first has
not been granted or secured by TIE
constitution of the United States, but
tho last has been. The right to vote
is a privilege regulated ny municipal
law and inhering exclusively in the
state. The fifteenth amendment is the
only provision in the constitution con-
cerning the right to Vote and that
amendment applies only TO cases os
discrimination 'on account of raca,
color, or previous condition of secvi-
tude,' and its is settled that the right
to vote IL not one of the privileges
or immunities of the citizen of the
UEitet, States within the meaning of
the, fourteenth amendment, which
amendment recognizes the ristt of me
state to deny or abridge the suffrage.
AS Is well known, many OF the states
have from time to time dent.i the
right to vote to such of their citiaeL s
as were thought not to possess ne
qualifications necessary for an indie
rtndent and intelligent exercise of the
right. These states impose edu n sioaal
= qualifications as conditions TO the eX-
,ercise. OF the right to vote;' Maine,
Massachus etts, % Connecticut, South
Carolina. Mississippi. Louisiana. Colo-