The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-08-01

Mr. Coieman--Under an order made at a previous day, it was determined that after the completion of Section 6, we should take up for reconsideration an amendment that was offered to Sec tion 1 of the Article as reported by the Committee, Every citizen of this State who is a citizen of the United States" requiring as a qualification for the voter that the party should be a citi- zen of the State and the United States
 The President-Will the gentleman allow the Chair to state the question? Under a former order made by this Convention, it was decided to recon slider the action whereby this Conven- tion adopted the amendment offered bv the gentleman from Jefferson.
 The Secretary read as follows: Amendment by MT. Beddow,i amend by adding after the words United States, in the first line of Section l. the following words, and every male resi- dent of foreign birth. who.. before the adoption of this Constitution. may have legally declared his intention to become a citizen of the United States" There was an amendment by MT. Smith of Mobile to that as follows: Provided that all such foreigners who have declared their intention to be- come citizens of the United States. shall cease to have the right to vote If they shall fail to become citizens of the United States after they are entitled to become such citizens"
 The President-The question will be upon the motion to reconsider the vote whereby the Convention adopted the section as read.
 MT. walker-That first section. as reported by the Committee confines the right of voting to people who are citi- zens of the United States. That was done deliberately, in view of the idea that it was a mistake for the State of Alabama to seize upon immigrants into this country ahead of the time when, under the policy of the country at large, these people could become citizens and confer upon them the right to participate in our elections before they became citizens of this State. I submit that while we are dealing with the question here of puri- flying our electorate, that the policy as evidenced by the section as it origi- nally stood, was a sound and correct one that 1t is impolitic for this State, it is not in the condition, of so eagerly desiring additions to it's, voting popu- lation, as to seize upon, foreigners be- fore they have become citizens of this country. Now. Is there any occasion to make that amendment here? Is 1t not wise and prudent policy to wait un- til these people have declared their in tention, and do as nearly all the States in this country do, walt until they do become citizens? Even under the amendment offered by the gentleman from Mobile, which sought to obviate in some measure the effect Of the amendment offered by the gentleman from Jefferson, those people may never become citizens of Alabama under that amendment even. It Is simply re- ouireda that the time of five years shall elapse after requiring that they pass muster and become citizens Of the United States. No man is in posi- ton to complain in the State of Ala bama that he has not the special priv ilege conferred upon him when he has not resided in this country long enough to become a citizen. Gentlemen, l sub- init that 1t is not unwise in the condi- ton of immigrat tion that Is coming in- to this country at this time for Ala bama to adhere to the period of proba~ ton which is necessary in the country at large.
 Mir. Oates-I want to suggest to the gentleman from Madison that it was manifest in the committee, and 1t was asserted that there are only five States in the Union, including the State of Alabama, who allowed people who had declared their intention, to vote.
 MT. Walker-1 think it will be found that in States in the Northwest, this innovation was made and at time
 when they were receiving a remark able good character of immigration from Northern Europe. We do not re- ceive in any great quantity that char acter of immigration at this time. We io nnCttinn-Whila are called upon to offer special privileges and inducements to the character of immigration that some times come in- to this country"
 Mir. Oates-I want to supplement what I said. One-half of the members of Congress from the States of Mime sota and the Dakotas are foreigners, as is also a United States Senator, MT. Nelson.
 Mir. Walker-It is certainly a wise policy for this State and any other State of the American Union, to re- uuire people coming from abroad to remain here such a length of time that their qualities as good citizens may he established before they are admitted into the full privilege of American citl- zenship. This is our country and we have right to protect, 1t, ana one means of protecting now IS 10 keep 1t from being polluted by the raw
 recruits sent here from other parts or
 the world, unfamiliar with our insti-
 tutions take them fresh from the ships and make them citizens of Alabama.
 think the section as 1t orlglnaIiy stoou
 is proper one.
 Mir. Beddow--I am the person that introduced the amendment that is now sought to be reconsidered. I had hoped
 that upon mature reflection by this Committee on Suffrage that has of-
 tered to us such a magnificent plan that the motion to reconsider would not he opposed. I had hoped that when I return to my constituents at home that could say to them, we have kept the faith that you have reposed in us, and while the argument of the gen. tleman who has just tRken his seat IS strong along some lines. 6till put this question aS'do did at the outset. upon the high ground discussed in this Con vention of standing by the pledges that each one of us made to our people at home We pledged that III this new suffrage scheme we would not dis franchise any white man. hold in my hand the Constitution of 1875. In the very first section of that Constl- tuition it says that every male person of foreign birth who may have legally
 declared his intention to become a citizen of the United States before he offers to vote" etc. really showing to the delegates of this Convention that at the time this Convention was called that that class of citizens had the right