The age-herald., 1901-07-24
Judge Coleman of Greene Says Plan is Best the Commit
 tee tan Devise
THREE SECTIONS ADOPTED
MT. Lowe introduces Suffrage ordin- ance Which Will Require a School Tax of S3 as Prerequis-
 lte to Vote.
BY FRANK HARVEY MILLER.

Montgomery, July 23-(Special.) 1.-The convention took up the suffrage question today. Judge Coleman of Greene. the chairman of the committee, made short introductory speech. saying that the plan was the best they could devise and that it was constitutional He was applauded several times, especially his reference to the Confederate soldier. The gallery was well filled and for the first time since the convention opened one end contained about dozen negroes who were interest," ed spectators.
 Section 1 of the article which confined the right to vote to male citizens of the State who were citizens of the United States was adopted MT. Beddow had 1t amended so as oallow foreigners to vote who were not citizens, but had declared their intention of becoming such. Section was adopted which requires residence of two years in the State and one in the county before any person can vote. He must also have been duly reg istered and have paid on or before Febru- ary of the year nwhich the election is held all poll taxes which shall have been required of him.
 Section 8, which was adopted, requires all elections by the people to be by ballot and elections in representative capacity to be viva voce.
 The convention was considering section 1, which contains the grandfather clause, when the hour of adjournment arrived. The indications are that the debate on this article will not be as extensive as anticipated and that the article as re- ported by the committee will be adopted with little change.
 President Knox made a short speech to- day against the Beddow amendment which was adopted. This Is the third speech the president has made in the con- vention. and the first time he has been on the losing side.
 MT Lowe of Jefferson introduced a suf- frage ordinance this morning which he will offer as a substitute for the majority report. It's main provision is the require- ment of school tax as the prerequite to vote. This tax is $3. for those from 21 to 45 years of age and for those over that dSo @l'oV. A llSt or these IS to be filed with the probate judge which list shall be the list of qualified electors.
 Convention Opens. The fifty-second days session of the constitutional convention was called to order by President Knox at 9:30 o'clock. A prayer was offered by Rev. MT. An drews. Roll call showed 1O1 members | present.
 | The roll was then called for the intro- | duction of ordinances.
 | MT. Graham. of Talladega introduced a | petition for electing railroad commission I CTS by the people, coming from citizens of | Talladega.
 | MT. Hefin of Randolph introduced a resolution granting a few days absence l to Capt. John F. Burns to attend the en- | campment of the cavalry of which he is quartermaster. Adopted. Lowe's Suffrage Plan. MT. Lowe of Jefferson introduced the following suffrage ordinances: Be it ordained by the people of Ala bama in convention assembled. Section l. Every male citizen of the United States and every male citizen of foreign birth who, may have legally de- clared his intention to become citizen