The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-08-02
Int of the poll tax is
 l, xite fu the qualification

fo faAn- heretofore n has been Just the amount and the payment of the poll tax and nothing more. but after the ratification of this Constitution, should tt be ratified, 1t will become quali- fcation for the exercise of the elec- t0ral franchise, and the people of the State want to know definitely what if 2 ts they will vote to pay.
 MT, Sanford (Pike)-The amendment that I suggest would have the effect to keep the payment of the poll tax as a part of the qualifications.
 Mir weatherly-But the amount would change. This is the only place, as I recollect it, where the amount of the tax is mentioned, and the age. Now the Committee did not thing-and l believe 1 am speaking for the whole committee in saying so-that 1t would be well to leave 1t to this. that or the other Legislature to change that amount from dollar and half to two dollars or three dollars. or perhaps live dollars. or more, or change the age or have a fuctuating qualification accord 1ng to the fancy or caprice or politi- cal complexion of the Legislature. We think the people prefer to have 1t known definitely what the oualifica- tions shall be- For that reason, trust that the amendment offered by the gen. tleman will not be adopted. I move to lav the amendment on the table.
 Upon a vote being taken, the motion to lay the amendment on the table pre- vailed.
 MT. Reese--I desire to offer an amend ment.
 The amendment was read as follows: Amend Section IS. Strike out in sec pnd line 'forty-five' and insert sixty. v MT. Carmichael (Colbert)-I have an amendment to the amendment, which desire to offer.
 Mir. Reese-Have I the floor?
 The President-Yes, sir. Do you de- sire to yield for the purpose of hear ing the amendment to the amendment read?
 Mir. Reese-Yes, sir.
 The amendment to the amendment was read as follows:
 Amend Section IS by inserting af- ter the word law in the third line, the following: Providing that the male Inhabitants of the State who shall be over the age of forty-five years at the adoption of this Constitution, Shall never be required to pay poll tax. Also by striking out in Section IS, in line two, the figures 4o and inserting the figures '60."
 The Presfdent-Fhe question will be upon the adoption of the amendment to the amendment.
 MT. weatherly-I ask for the reading of the amendment. There was so much confusion 1 did not hear it.
 The amendment was read as re- uuested.
 Mir. Carmichael (Colbert)-I presume 1t will hardly be necessary to explain the effect of the amendment If the gen. tlemen of the Convention have paid intention to it's reading.
 MT Oates-I call attention to the use Df the word adopted" The adoption Ill r. lon tion by the Convention.
 MT. Carmichael-I ask unanimous consent to substitute ratification" for '.adopted.'
 This article says the poll tax shall be a dollar and a half, and, with the amendment. it would apply to all un- der the age of 60 who would not now be exempt by law, provided that those over the age of 45 years, at the ratifica- lon of this Constitution shall never be aquired to pay poll tax.
 Now, I have never seen why man 50 years of age should not pay ,il tax. I suppose that there was yer any particular reason for It. It rtainly seems to me that man as
 or 55 or 60 years of age would be st as able. and. under just as much
 ty to pay a poll tax as a man of
 years. The amendment does not af-
 t those citizens who, at the time Of ratification of this Constitution, are CT the age of 45, and I hope the iendment will be adopted.
 MT. deGraffenreid-I move to lay the amendment on the table.
 The President-The Chair will rec ognize the gentleman from Jefferson. Mfr. Howze-I was going to make the same motion. I think is very unwise for us to change the policy of the State in this matter of poll tax now. It would certainly be Increasing taxes which we are pledged not to do. l. therefore, move that the amendment and substitute be laid upon the table Mir. Reese-I will ask the gentleman to withdraw his motion for just few minutes that l may make few re- marks.
 Mir. Rowze-If he will renew 1t, I will withdraw it.
 MT. Reesa-dere you are construct ing a plan by which the Black Bell will live or die. have no confidence in the proposition that is made here by the Suffrage Committee, except the poll tax provision That Is the safest. This other is experimental. I believe small poll tax to be collected at the time these gentlemen have provided will help the Black Belt and enable us to preserve ourselves. In my section man gets 45 years of age very soon He has to work the roads until he Ii 45. and nearly every negro in the coun' ty that has been a man for five years is 45 years of age, and if we are going to turn loose a voter who is otherwise not qualified when he reaches the age of 45, you leave my people IT a bad fix. I hope this Convention Will not table the proposition. hope you won't leave us in the nre where we cannot march up ten thou sand strong in my county to help you adopt this Constitution, but If %u keep on like you are doing here to try to let in ignorant and thriftless people in other sections. I am glad to have them vote But, MT. President, we can not surrender ourselves to the ne groes for the purpose of allowing few thriftlese men in North Alabama to vote, and Mir. President I tell you to mark my work, if you put the propo- sition to our people where they are dis trustful of the resultS-of what these provisions will mean to them-if the black belt Is distrustful of what their future will be under this Constitution the results will at least be uncertain
 MT. Cunningham-Is it not fact that this is net a tax hut voluntary contribution to the State?
 MT. Reese-Yes, sir.
 Mr. Cunningham-Therefo it would