The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1901-11-29
ALABAMA'S NEW CONSTITU
TION.

Ine new constitution or Alabama
which was ratified at the recent elec-
tion by majority Of 10000 voters Of
the State. supercedes the one adopted
by the Republican carpet .baggers and
scalawags in the days OF recOnstruc-
tion. The main object OF the con.
stitutiOn convention was to rid the
State Of the constant threat OF the
rule OF ignorant negroes, and this
object has been accomplished. Under
the new constitution the elective
franchise is conferred upon the fol.
lowing classes who, II they register
as voters prior to December 20, 1902,
become voters for life:
First.-All who have hnnorably
served in the land or naval forces Of
the United States, the Confederate
States or the State OF Alabama 10
any Of the wars.
Second-The lawful descendants
VI ouCt pClSOu
Third.-All persons Of good char.
acter and who understand the duties
and obligations OF citizenship under
a Republican form OF government.
After January l, 1908, the follow
ing classes can register and vote:
First.-Those who can read and
write any article Of the constitution
in the English language and have
been engaged in some lawful occupa-
tion for the greater part OF the year
preceding the election, and those
who are unable to read and write,
If such inability is solely due to ply
sical disability.
Second.-The owner in good faith
or the husband of a woman who owns
40 acres OF land in the State or OF real
or personal estate in the State assess.
ed for taxation at $500 or more, pro.
vided the taxes for the preceding year
have been paid. There is long list
of otfenses which disqualify voters
among which are the buying or selling
or offering to buy or sell votes.
While the suffrage is the most i'm
portant part of the new constitution
the instrument makes in many par.
ticulars radical changes from exist
ing methods Among these may be
enumerated the following:
The limit Of taxation which may be
imposed on property for State pur
| poses is reduced TO s. one.hundreth'
Of per cent, and no county is per
mitted to levy a tax greater than one.
half of one per cent, except that one
fourth OF one per cent additfGna
may be levied to nay debts existing
prior to December 6, 1875. The sam'
limitation is imposed on cities. excep,
Mobile, which is permitted To lev,
three-fourths Of one per cent. Til,
power to contract public debt is ais,
strictly limited. Provision is mad,
for the public examination Of Stat
banks and bankers. local Legislation
Is practically abolished. the office 0
Lieutenant. Governor is created, ses
sions Of the legislature are held onl
once In four years and State election
are held only at the same intervals
members of the legislature and j.
dicial officers are prohibited frol
using free passes or tickets at r,
duced rate OF fare, and finally, prt
vision is made for larger and moi
: certain appropriations for public &c
ucatiOn. ffi.
The Masonic Grand Lodge, {
Georgia has approved the report (
the committee on Jurisprudence, n
commencing that all persons VII
engage In the sale or manufacture {
liquor, after joining the lodge shall ;
: expelled. The report does not appl
to druggists selling liquor for med
, cinal or scientific purposes.