The age-herald., 1901-09-01
Vote Was s5 to 10 With Two Jefferson County Men Vot-
 ing in the Negative sHER|FFy' TERMS EXTENDED
Work of Enrolment Is All That Is Left To Be Done, and Constitutional Convention Passes Into
 History.
BY FRANK HARVEY MILLER.

BY FRANK HARVEY MILLER.
 Montgomery. August 31.-(Special.)- - The convention today, after a long de- bate on the suffrage article, reconsidered its action of yesterday in adopting an amendment allowing persons owning $500 of real and personal property to vote. The law now stands as originally adopt ed. As to this property qualification in the permanent plan voter to qualify and vote must own $500 of either real or personal property.
 An ordinance was adopted extending the terms of the present sheriffs two years.
 Another ordinance was adopted pro- hibiting cities of over 5000 inhabitants from granting franchises for longer time than thirty years.
 MT Beddow made an effort to change the convict lease system, but 1t was defeated.
 The articles on suffrage, banks and banking education, militia, miscellaneous provisions and amending the constitution were adopted and provision making it necessary to register to vote for the constitution
 This completes the work of the conven- tion except the enrolling of the constitu- ton. This will probably be finished by Tuesday morning when the delegates will sign it and the constitutional convention of 1901 will pass into history.
 The constitution as a whole was adopt ed by vote of 95 to 10. The announce ment of the vote was greeted with long and continuous cheers. Those who voted against the constitution were delegates Bartlett, Beddow, Byars, Cofer, Forshee, Phillips, Porter, Spears, Studdard and White.
 The convention adjourned until 12 o'clock Monday when several ordinances not intended to go into the constitution will be taken up.
 Convention Opens.
 The eightieth days session of the con- stitutional convention was called to order by President Knox at 9 o'clock. Roll call showed ninety-one delegates present.
 The committee on journal reported that 1t was correct.
 The committee on rules then reported substitute for resolution of MT. Long Of Walker to extend for two years the term of all officers whose terms expire in 1904. The substitute provided only for the ex- tension of the terms of the present sher- ifs for two years.
 MT DeGraffenried substituted a minor ity report opposing the extension for the sheriffs He spoke in favor of his substi- ute, saying the convention had consid- cred this sheriff matter several times and yesterday finally refused to give the sher- ifs two terms. Now comes the proposed measure offering to give them two addi- tional years. It is said this will popular ize the constitution, but he thought the constitution should go before the people on its merits The terms of Senators had been extended, but this was not an office of profit
 MT. Smith of Mobile, chairman of the committee, said the members of the con- mittee were not actuated in adopting this resolution by any desire of making a com promise with the sheriffs. But to make all the offices harmonize, either the pres ent sheriffs must be extended two years or those elected in 1904 must be elected for six years The idea that the people were hankering to give some particular officer an advantage was in his opinion, hum bug. As we had to extend the term of one officer or another, it seemed to him wisest to extend the term of the present fncumbents. He moved to lay the minority report on the table. An aye and nay vote was demanded on this motion. with the result that the motion was carried by a vote of "A to 46
 The substitute reported by the commit tee was then adopted.
 Several leaves of absence were then asked for and granted.
 Suffrage Matter.
 Judge Coleman of Greene moved to re- consider the vote whereby an amendment was made yesterday to the suffrage ar hat who owned $500 of real or personal prop erty.
 Judge Coleman spoke in favor of his amendment He said the real purpose or the convention was not to provide quali- fcations so as to enable persons to vote but to prescribe qualifications to prevent persons from voting. The committee was willing to allow white men to vote, but the convention was to eliminate a certain class of voters. The black belt wanted re- lief, and 1t could not get It if the con- vention allowed owners Of $500 of real and personal property mixed to vote. Many negroes had this who did not possess s,Oo of either real or personal property. The black belt preferred qualification of S30O of real estate alone, but in deference to other sections of the state, they had in- aerted $500 of personal property.
 The black belt must have relief, and they would ratify any other provision of the constitution 1T they were allowed this. It had conceded to the white counties ev- cry measure necessary for this relief, and why should they not conceed to the black belt this masure, which Is necessary for their protection.
 Mir. Rogers of Sumter spoke against Judge Coleman's motion. He said he him self was from the black belt and that Judge Coleman did not speak for the en- tire black belt.
 White Voters Don't Want It.
 MT Sanders of Limestone said that 1t had been stated that this amendment was adopted yesterday in the interest of the white voters of North Alabama, but that as an humble representative from that section he did not think the people of that section were demanding this