The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1901-11-15
THE NEW CONSTITUTION OF ALA
BAMA.

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supersedes the one which was adopt
ed in Reconstruction days, a quarter
of a century ago. The main object
of. the convention which framed this
instrument was, as is wellknown, to
relieve the State Of the constant
threat of the rule ofignorantnegro
Heretofore this object has been &C
complished in many Southern conf
munities by means which were ex-
ceedingly distasteful to the white
population. They, however, justified
themselves in what they did by the
plea Misrepresentation. They prefer,
however, to work out their salvation
by legal means, and the Constitu-
tional Convention was largely the
result of that sentiment. To show
that some action was necessary in
order to preserve the State or por-
tions of it from a recurrence of negro
rule it is only necessary to say that
in fourteen counties of Alabama, hav-
ing 1868 voters, only 26,6s are
white, the negroes outnumbering
them three to one. Of the negro
voters minority only can read the
ticket they vote, and not one in
hundred is a taxpayer. As is well
known. the negro population in all
the Southern States vote solidly to-
gether and do not divide upon politi-
cal questions.
The elective franchise is conferred
by the new instrument upon the fol-
lowing classes, who if they register
as voters prior to December 20, 1902,
become voters for life:
First-All who have honorably
served in the land or naval forces of
the United States, the Confederate
States or the State of Alabama in any
of the wars.
Second-The lawful descendants of
such persons.
Third-All persons of good charac-
ter and who understand the duties
and obligations of citizenship under a
republican form of government.
After January 1, 1903; 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-
ton 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 physical dis
ability.
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
assessed for taxation at $500 or
more, provided the taxes for. the pre-
ceding year havebeen paid. THERE'S
long list of offenses which disqualify
voters, among which are the buying
or selling or offering to buy or sell
votes.
While the suffrage clauseis the most
important part of the new Constitu-
ton, the instrument makes in many
particulars radical changes from
existing methods. Among these may
be enumerated the following: The
limit of taxation which may be i'm
posed on property for State purposes
is reduced to 65 one-hundredths of 1
per cent, and no county is permitted
to levy a tax greater than one-halfof
1 per cent, except that one-fourth of
1 per cent. additional may be levied
to pay debts existingprior to Deem
Der 6, 1875. The same limitation is
imposed on cities, except Mobile,
which is permitted to levy three
fourths of 1 per cent. The power to
contract public debt is also strictly
limited. Provision is made for the
public examination of State banks
and bankers; local legislationisp rac-
tically abolished; the office of Lieu
is created; sessions
of the Legislature are held only once
in four years, and State elections are
held at the same intervals; members
of the Legislature and judicial officers
are prohibited from using free passes
or tickets at a reduced rate of fare;
and finally, provision is made for
larger and more certain appropria-
lions for public charlottesville Sun.