The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-08-01


 law unless there is some county or some beat or some individual has to be affected by 1t, but the question ,is--
 MT. Blackwell-I desire to ask If we strike out the word regularly will not a man still have to be employed the whole twelve months under the language of the section, even after you strike out the word regularly"
 MT. Coleman-I hate to be interrupted in the middle of a sentence. If had been understood in what I have said before, and as explained by the deci- sions I have read, certainly not. The clerk that has been discharged. if he seeks employment, is not disqualified under this section, but if he is dis charged and loafs around for twelve months not seeking employment. and is engaged in nothing, he would be and I think ought to be disqualified. Any change in that would let in ten thou- sand in this State who ought not to be permitted to exercise the franchise. having these views. I move. MT. Presi- dent
 MT. Cobb-I wish to make a few re- marks before the gentleman moves the previous question.
 MT. Coleman-It is not my intention to move the previous question, but I was going to move to lay the amend ment of the gentleman from Jefferson on the table.
 Mfr. Cobb-Very we'll. can be heard afterwards.
 MT. Coleman-The committee believes that we need something more than an educational qualification.
 The President-The gentleman from Greene moves to lay upon the table the amendment offered by the gentle man from Jefferson.
 MT. Lowe--A motion to lay upon the table is not debatable, I understand.
 The Presidential is not. The ques- ton is upon the motion to table.
 MT. Beddow-I call for the ayes and noes.
 being taken a division was called for and by vote of v ayes and 30 noes the motion to table prevailed.
 MT. Cobb-I have an amendment.
 The Secretary read the amendment as follows: Amend by inserting after the word lawful in the eighth line of the first subdivision of Section 5. the word employment
 Mir. Cobb--I offer that amendment out of abundant caution, the section as reported by the committee in using
 MT. Coieman-May interrupt the gentleman? While the committee does not think it adds anything to what is there. to save time we will accept 1t.
 The President-The question will be upon the amendment.
 MT. Coleman-The amendment is in- serting the word employment" I ask unanimous consent to accept that amendment.
 MT. Williams (Elmore)-I ask to have the amendment read.
 The Secretary again read the amend ment.
 The President-The gentleman from Macon can still get in his speech on the question. (Applause.) Mir Cobb-I do not want ito be shut out of my speech but it is very short one.
 MT. Coleman-I suggest you add the word "or" after the word employment. By unanimous consent the amend ment was allowed. MT. Cobb-I wish to call the Attention of delegates to the fact that these words business, education. trade or calling" do not cover in my belief a large class of men whom 1t is not de- sired or desirable to cut off from the electorate. I refer to the young men who become of age just before the time of registration and who prior to that time. it may be, have been going | to school or in some business or em- | ployment under the direction of their l fathers. Of course, this section can l have no reference to a minor, it re- | fers to :nen who are of full age Gow, just before the time for registration a young man becomes of age, he has been | out of school, he has not been engaged | therefore in any employment during the twelve months preceding the time | of registration. My insistence is that the terms employed here business or occupation. trade or calling" does not | cover
 MT. Burnett-They have been going | to school. isn't that an occupation? MT. Cobb-If the gentleman will pos eess his soul in patience. will try and argue that very question. MT. Burnett-Isn't 1t a lawful em- | ployment?
 Mir. Cobb-I don't think so. MT. Burnett-I certainly do. MT. Cobb-And why don't think so? ? Because the word employment is a le- gal term. 1t has been defined by the books, 1t is we'll understood by the gentlemen of the legal fraternity am providing that out of abundant caution for these worthy young men 1 who become of age immediately be- | fore the day of registration so they I shall not De cut off by some wrong l ruling upon the part of the Registrars. | Let that be made plain. I suggested the word employment, thinking it would be sufficient. but I have doubts even now whether the word employ ment itself would not be construed so narrowly. I am not fighting the Committee. I want to guard these | young men.
 Mir. Lowe (Jefferson)-Why should not it be so plain that it Is not nec- essary for a court to pass upon 1t, and | there can be no room for misconstruc- tloh?
 MT. Cobb-That is what I want, and should be obliged to, my friend if, wrile I am speaking, he will draw up something. I want 1t plain, so plain that there can be no room for construc- tion. There is room for construction | here. and when you leave it to these registrars, who are not lawyers, to determine the manner in which they shall perform their duty. l MT. PiiIans-I wish to offer an amend meat if it is in order after the accept ance by unanimous consent of the amendment offered by the gentleman from Macon.
 The Presidential Is in order to of fer an amendment to an amendment The pending amendment is the amend ment of the gentleman from Pike. Mir Pillans-I offer an amendment.
 The Secretary read the amendment |