The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-07-09
ALAnAMA,s suFFRAuE PLAN.

1t is not yet known of course whether
or not the Alabama suffrage plan, which
has been reported to the constitutional
convention of that state by the commit
tee that has the matter in chargesowifi
meet the approval of the convention. The
chances are that it will be modified in
important particulars before it is adopted
If, indeed, it is adopted. ~
1t can be said of it that there is far
less discrimination in 1t against iliterate
negroes than in the plans adopted by
North Carolina, Mississippi. Louisiana
and South Carolina. About all of the
discrimination is in the part of the plan
that is to go into effect Immediately on
the adoption OF the constitution and be-
come void on Jan. /, 1903. AS the new
constitution. if adopted, would not go
into effect until next fall, this part of the
plan would be in force only about one year
But in that time it is expected that it
VIII be so arranged that the great major
ity OF white citizens, whether illterate
or not, will be put on the voting list
Under the first part of the plan a list
of voters is TO be made up. A board of
three registrars in each county is TO make
the voting list. This board is required
to put on the list all old soldiers and
their descendants. 1t has no discretion
in the matter All others who get on the
list must have, as qualifications, good
character and understand the obligations
and duties of citizenship under a Repub-
lioan form OF government If the regis
trars follow the law strictly there will
be great many negroes and some white
men who will not get their names ON the
list Indeed, it would not be surprising il
a majority of the negroes should fail to
get registered. 1t is provided that all
who get their names on the list at this
registration remain there as long as they
pay the poll tax of $3.50 which is to be
paid before Jan. ], each year.
Having completed their work the reg
istrars under the first part of the plan go
out of office. The second part of the plan
goes into force Jan. /. 1903, and is to be
permanent Those who register after
that time must nave three qualifications,
namely, they must have been employed In
some lawful occupation for the preceding
twelve months, they must be able to read
and write the constitution of the United
States in the English language, Though
they will not be denied the right to vote
il they cannot comply with this require
nIent provided they own forty acres of
lend or pay taxes on property worth at
least 5000 and they must name those who
have been their employers for the Ave
years preceding the offer to register.
1t is evident that the poll tax of $l50
will keep a great many negroes from vot-
ing as will the provision requiring the
naming Of employers for five years.
There are thousands of negroes wander
ing over the state who are never in one
place very long at a time. But there is
no discrimination in the permanent part
of the plan. 1t is probable that the quail
ihcation of years employment in some
lawful occupation will keep the ballot out
of the hands of a great many white men.
At first thought the plan seems to be
somewhat complicated, but a close study
of it shows that 1t is quite simple If It
should be adopted 1t is probable there
would be no difficulty in understanding
it. 1t would not get rid Of all of the ne
gro vote. but 1t would cut il down so
much that there would be no further
apprehension of negroes getting into Of
fees for which they were unqualified.