The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-01-08
RESOLUTIONS IN CONGRESS FOR RE-
OUGING THE NUMBER
INVESTIGATIONS To Be MADE
Into the Disfranchisement of Voters
The Small Vote Cas- for Congressman
in Comparison to Their Population.
One Resolution Calls for Investfea-
by a Special Committee of the House.

" SLAiL loAB O@hud -~ oAAAo
ted. of Pennsylvania. today introduce
ed the following resolution in the house:
Whereas, The continued enjoyment
of full representation in this house by
any state which has for reasons other
than participation in rebellion or other
crime denied to any of the male inhab-
itants thereof, being u a OF age
and citizens of the United States, the
right to vote for representatives in con-
gress, presidential electors n other
specified officers, is in direct violation
of the Fourteenth amendment to the
constitution Of the United States,
which declares that in such case, the
basis of representation therein shall be
reduced in proportion which such male
citizens bear to the whole number OF
male citizens q years of Age in such
state, and is al invasion of the rights
and dignity of this house and of its
members and an infringement upon the
rights and privileges in this house OF
other states and their representatives;
and,
Whereas, Since the last %apportion-
ment the states Of Mississippi, South
Carolina and Louisiana have, by
changes in their constitutions and the
statutes Of said states, and for reasons
other than participation in rebellion and
other crime, denied the right of suffrage
to male inhabitants 2f years of age,
citizens of the United States, and such
denial in each of a states extends to
more than one half of those who prior
thereto were entitled to vote, as ap-
49, ED1Inu-fnn ornfHCrfnC
published in the congressional direc-
tories of the ~Fifty-second and Fifty
sixth congress, viz: In the seven dis
tricts of Mississippi, the total vote cast
for all congressional candidates in 1890
was 81, 652; in 1898, 21,O54. In the seven
districts of South Carolina the total
vote in 1890 was 1882, and 2S,S31 in 1898.
In the six districts of Louisiana the to-
tai vote was "a ,542 in 1890 and SO, 161 in
1898. M member of the present house,
representing ten counties in MISSISSIPPI
pi, with a population in 1890 of 1S4, 297
received only ZOOS votes. One mem
Der of the present house, representing
six counties in South Carolina, with a
population in 1890 of 5S,S51, received
only 1,765 votes, and one member repre-
Senting thirteen counties in Louisiana
with a population of 20S, S02 received
only 2,494 votes; and,
Whereas, 1t is a matter of common
rumOr hat other states have for reaS-
ons other than those specified in the
constitution of the United States denied
to some of their male inhabitants. Il
years old, and citizens of the United
States, the right to vote for members
of congress and presidential electors as
we'll as executive and judicial Off
GERS of said states, and members or
the legislatures thereof, and no re-
duction has been made in the represen-
tatiOn of any state in this house be-
cause of such denial, and,
Whereas, The president of the Unit
ed States has by message recommend
ed that the congress-, at it's present ses-
sion, appOrtiOn the representation
among the several states as provided by
the constitution therefore,
Resolved, Section 1. That the COM
mittee on census shall be and is author
lied and requested either by full COM
mittee or such subcommittee or sub
committees as may be appointed by the
> chairman thereof, to inquire, examine
and report in what states the right to
vote at any election for the choice or
electors for president n vice presi-
dem of the United States, representa-
tives in congress-. to the and
judicial offices of a state, or the mem-
bers of the legislatures thereof, is de-
MED to any of the male inhabitants or
such states, 81 years of age n citizens
of the United States. or in any way
abridge except for participation i'm re-
bellion or other crimes, and the pro-
portion which the number of such male
citizens shall pear to the whole number
of male citizens, II years OF age. In
each state"
Representative Shattuc, OF Ohio, to-
day introduced the following resolu-
ton:
Whereas. In order that the appor-
of membership Of the house
of representatives may be determined
in a constitutional manner, therefore
be il.
Resolved. By the house of represen-
tatives. that the director of the CEN
sus be directed to furnish this house
at the earliest possible moment. the fol-
lowing information:
i. The total number OF male citi-
zens OF the United States over Il years
of age. in each of the. several States OF
the Union.
80. The total number of male citi-
zens of the United States. over q years
of age. who, by reason of state consti-
tutional limitations or state legislation,
are denied the right of suffrage, wheth-
er such denial exists on account OF IL
literacy, on account of pauperism, on
account of polygamy, or on account of
property qualifications or for any 9TH
er reason.
Resolved. Further, hat the speaker
of the house of representatives be au-
thorized and directed to appoint a Sc
lect committee of five members who
shall investigate the question Of the al
legged abridgement of the elective fran
chise, for any of the causes mentioned
in all Of the states of the union in which
constitutional or legislative restrictions
on the right of suffrage are claimed te
exist; said committee shall be author
lied TO sent for persons and papers, tt
administer oaths to witnesses and Il
have hearings at such places as in tn
judgement of the committee the desired
information can best be had. The com
-AA-- - -Iz- -,I1s.o1 20 nrnn1nu &
stenographer and such other clerica
and expert assistance as it may deem
necessary; the expenses of the inves
tigation to be paid u of the contingent
fund Of the house of representative:
upon vouchers signed and approved BY
the chairman Of said committee"