The evening times., 1900-01-22

proposed amendments to the constitution
OF North Carolina in contraventiOn Of the
fourteenth and fifteenth amendment to the
Constitution Of the United States" He
spoke in part as follows:
In view of thu fact that this resolution
relates to the question as to whether or not
the Constitution OF the Unied States has
been violated by constitutional enactment
by certain States. about which we may be
called upon at any time TO legislate, l as
sumo that no one viii eontrovert the prop
osition that this body has jurisdiction of
the subject to which il relates In cOnsid-
ering the question the enquiry naturally
arises as to whether or not any State has
adopted as a part Of its constitution or by
legislative enactment done that which
which is calculated TO deprive any Of its
citizens OF the privileges to which they are
entitled under the Constitution Of the Unit
ed States
Action Of other Stntes.
Il am prepared TO show that a number
OF states have attempted, by constitutional
enactment. to deprive certain class Of
citizens residing therein Of privileges that
are youchsafed 10 them by the fourteenth
and fifteenth amendments to the Constitu-
tion. .~
The State OF Lou. siana has already
adopted as an amendment TO her consttu-
tiOn a provision which IS in COntraVcntiOn
OF the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments
10 the Constitution Of the United States.
in that it discrimipates against a certain
class Of citizens Of that State 20 such an
extent to deprive them OF the privileges
that are guaranteed 20 other citizens who
are similarly situated. There are other
States that have adopted provisions that
are equally repugnant to the amendments
in question.
How are we TO secure needful legisia-
ti0n Certainly not by the curtailmeut Of
our representation in the House OF Repre-
sentatiyes. and in this connection | wish
10 be plainly understood. l am a South
erner and ! will do everything in my pow
er to prevent the adoption OF any legisla-
tion that Is calculated and intended 20
lessen the power and influenC, OF the State
OF North Carolina And while discussing
his particular phase Of the question ] de
sire 10 call attention TO a fact that has
probably escaped the attention Of many
of the people of the South. and that is
that the fourteenth amendment. among
other things, provides.
ed among the several States according Go thoir
respective numbers. counting the whole number
Ui persons ia each sts,e. excluding Indians uo.
taxed BuJ when toe night TO vote at any cicc-
zion for ,hr choice ~ electors for President and
Nicc President of tire Uaitcd States. Representa-
tiFes IA Congress. the executive and judicial on
Gers OF the state. or the members of the ltgisla-
t0re thereof Is denied 20 AIRY Of the male iuuabi-
OF such state. being tweUty-ouC year, nf age
and citizens of the United state, or iu any way
ahridge except Tor participation IN rebellion Dr
the basis alton therein
shall be reduced Ia the proportion which the NUM-
ber OF SuCh male citizens shall bear 90 the whole
number Of male citizens 20 twenty -Oue years Vi
age ln such State.
This section Of the fourteenth amend
ment clearly makes il the duty Of Con-
gress in the appOr.IOnment of representa-
tion 10 base the same upon the numerical
strength Of each State as shown by he
number Of votes therein cast. And il lily
remains for Congress TO ascertain the
facts as to any particular State in order
TO deprive that State OF representation in
proportion 10 the number OF citizens de-
MED the right OF suffrage.
Il consider the proposed amendment %
the constitution Of the State of North
Carolina as the most important question
that We have been called upon TO deal with
since the war. The right of suffrage is
one that is priced very highly by the peo-
pie Of the United tS9tes. :; is a historical
fact that those who have once enjoyed the
high privilege Of the elective franchise are
loath 10 yield il without struggle. The
constitution of 1865 OF North Carolina was
framed by the Republican party, and
among other things IL contained provis-
ion which guarantees free Suffrage to the
rich, the poor. the illiterate, and the edu-
Gated alike. Its adoption marked sa era
Of encouragement to the common people
OF the State
In order that we may have an intelli-
gent conception as to the proposition
which is submitted l call attention to
Article. s, Section 1. of the Constitution
OF North Carolina. which il is proposed
TO ab-ogate and which reads as follows:
Art. VI. sec / Qualifications Of an elector
Every male person born in the United States and
every male person who has been uaJurslized
tverty-one years old or upward. who snail have
resided in the State twelve months next pre-
Ceding the election and ninety days IN the COUP
y in which he offers 10 vote. shall be deemed
elect0r. but no person who. upon conviction or
confession an open court, shall be adludged guilty
Of Felony any other crime infamous by the
laws OF this state, and hereafter committed shall
b deemed an elector unless such person shall be
restored 10 the fights OF citizenship m a manner
prescribed Jy law.
1T will be observed that the foregoing
article is in harmony with the fourteenth
and fifteenth amendments 10 the Coustitu-
tion Of the United tSates.
An Old Agreement Recalled.
1T was expressly agreed at the time
North Carolina was readmitted into the
Union that the people OF our State should
retain a provision in its constitution iu
harmony with the provisions Of the ff-
teenth amendment TO the Constitution OF
the United States.
In order that you may fully understand
and appreciate the result of the proposed
amendment. you mould know that il is
necessary for each citizen of North Caro-
lima To ansWer this question: How many
men in your voting precinct II called
upon tomorrow to write any section of the
Constitution in the English language.
from jictatiou. would be able to correctly
write the same, and if they should succeed
IN doing 50. how many are able 10 pay
their tax promptly on or before the 1st
day of March in each election year?
During the late civil war there were no
property or educational qualifications re-
quiTed OF those who were called UDOn 10
fight for the Confederacy, neither were
there any educational or property qualif-
cations required OF the brave and patriotic
North carolina boys who responded 50
nobly to the call of their country during
the war with Spain. Many Of the brave
boys who faced the shot and shell during
the war with Spain were unable TO read
and write. and ] am informed that an OK
animation OF the muster rolls discloses
the fact that not member Of the legisla-
turp which submitted the r,rouocod or,cvT.