The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-08-02

12, ethe Legislature shall py law pro vide for purging the registration list of names illegally registered, and of those who may die, become insane, con- victed of crime, or otherwise disquali- fled as an elector, under the provisions of this Constitution.
 MT. White-I wish to state to the gentleman from Montgomery that the Committee has accepted the amend ment.
 MT. Lomax--I simply desire to make a statement that this amendment is the adoption of the idea of Chancellor Kel- ly, expressed in a letter read to the Convention some days ago.
 MT. Reese-Will the gentleman allow a question? I could not hear the read ing distinctly, does that provide for cases after the first registration, or go into disabilities that might have existed at the time of the registration?
 Mf, Lomax-I think 1t covers all registrars, sir. It gives general au- thority to the Legislature to make pro- vision for purging the registration list at any time.
 MT. Reese-I desire to ask a further question. Under that. provision could they go into and purge this registration list of people who have not registered on account of having good character?
 MT. Lemax-They could only be purged for causes set out which does state. will ask the Secretary to read the amendment.
 The Secretary again read the amend ment.
 Mir. Reese-I do not ,aike to find any fault with the amendment the Com mittee has accepted. but I suppose these gentlemen have carefully con- sidered these questions. think that by this amendment. If passed. is pre- scented dangerous proposition. It may be dangerous. It may be loaded CT not. But I think 1t is proposition which before 1t is enacted in the organic law of this state should have received the consideration of this Committee on Suf- frase. It may be that I would be pre- pared ts support 1t. I think 1t is pos sible that under that amendment the guarantees that have been put here, and fhat we have been referring to in this report, might all be swept away. and, Mir. Prssiaent, I am op- posed to the adoption Of it at this time. think the Committee ought to con- sider it and move therefore that the amendment be referred to the Com | mitteee on Suffrage.
 The President--It is moved that the OiLoAu6s Wtth tAV cSSShOAs | be referred to the Committee on Suf- frage and Elections.
 Mir. Pillans--As a substitute, l shall, after addressing myself to the question. move to lay on the table the amend | ment offered. MT. President. in the adoption of the OConstitution of 1868, l think, we have had in Alabama a | registration plan. think l am cafe in saying because I became . voter in '6s. I have practiced law since asfo. and while I do not know all the law, l think am safe in saying that we have never found 1t necessary to provide by law fer puYgang c registration list although we have registration after registration in the State of Alabama. This is a novelty introduced without any sufficient reason for it given. and the novelty can see no foundation for. Look at the consequence that might | flow from the adoption of this novelty. We are guarding as far as possible the right of the citizen to vote, to go on the registration list. We are doing what we can to have a fit electorate for the State of Alabama; we are guarding if with all caution and care we can and yet here Is proposition to leave to the Legislature the right to | purge those lists in any manner It may see fit, possibly without notice to the | electors. We do not know how his name or the names of sundry electors. Where is the necessity for this? If a man is registered and finds his name cannot be voted afterwards, and has never been voted lawfully afterwards. and has never been found in the expe- rience of the State necessary to go annually through the list and purge the list where is the necessity of intro ducing this novelty and disturbing the harmony of the report. For that rea- son 1 move to lay the amendment on the table @S a substitute for their mo- ton.
 MT. whfte-I hope you win withdraw the motion to table for a moment. will renew 1t for you.
 MT. Pillans--I withdraw
 MT. White-The gentleman from Mo- bile says we have never yet had oc- casion in Alabama to purge aregistra- ton list. A reply to that may be made in this way. We have never before had a life list. This Is the first time in Alabama we have ever provided for a life list and We know of necessity men will die. some will be raised, some will move from one precinct to an- other, some will move from one county to another. some will move from the State entirely and this simply means that the Legislature shall provide for | purging this list of names that might be used for illegal purposes.
 MT. Reese-May ask question?
 MT. White-I yield to the gentle man.
 Mr. Reese-With that provision in there, purging it of the names of per- sons who have been illegally regis tered, would that not tend to open the flood gates wide open so that any name | could be stricken off them, and with | your temporary plan of registering the | people until 1903, be any protection | to them, td men who have got their names on there, and if they have 1t there for life. as long as they behave | themselves.
 Mir White-I will answer that this way. It will not open the flood gates unless the flood gates have been open ed too late with any improperly and | illegally, and if the flood gates have been opened for that purpose, then the flood gates ought to be opened to let them out. Certainly we can trust the law of the land and the officers of the State in enforcing that law to see that justice is done to every section and to every voter
 MT. Harrison-I desire to ask the acting chairman if the Legislature would have authority without this provision.
 MT. White-I really think so sir. I think unquestlonably the Legislature I IoxV Lttk @VNlA r.,