The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-19

dition cf seryituds." lt does seem to me that if anything could be plain, if ia plainly here declared that you can- not enfranchise white women and dts franchise the negro women. Nothing could be clearer. Nothing could be more sinnpiy expressed. and for khat reason we did not consider the proposition of the distinguished Senator to whom the gentleman has referred as stating correct exposition of the law.
 Now So far as the negro may be dis- qualified by the State from holding of- five I take 1t that the latest exposition of the Supreme Court of the United States in the case of Taylor and Baker, which expresxiv declares that offices in 6 State are not included within the words privileges and immuntties. and for that reason the court held that 1t had no jurdisdiction Of the case and dismissed it. That decsion was .endered by . d. yided court of i've to four. Follow ing the decisions of the Supreme Court as we have. and considering the con- clusioua to which they have come re- gently. especially in the Puerto Rica and Philippine cases. 1t Is exceedingly doubtful where the Supreme Court will land when this question comes up In poIiticaI aspect from the South. am free to say that under the latest expo- sition. the case that have referred to. hy a divided court of live to four. the state has absolute authority over the question of whom shall hold office In inc State. The real dueection is one of expediency under all the circumstances. These questions were discussed time and again by the Committee on Sur
 fra-e and Elections. and n was our conclusion that inAsmuch as we ex-
 pected to eliminate the ignorant and
 incompetent voter from the eSercise n' suffrage. there would be no danger in this State. and we thought It fhe nay
 ter policy as well as more consisten.
 with our prosperity that we leave Y
 untouched. but. MT. Preslhent' ms
 much as it is before the Convention. and if is a matter of supreme impo--
 tance. I move that the resolution he printed. and put upon the table. and
 that further discussion he postponed
 mi, we have time to discuss 1t more at lenxth.
 The Presiden. here resumed the char. MT. Coleman (Greeue)--l would like
 to have 1t made special oroer. move that the amendment ne pfintea
 and laid upon the table. to be taken
 m sov further discussion hereafter and that we now proceed with the regular
 order of business.
 The rentleman from Dallas (Mr.
 Burns) was recognized. MT. Burns-I know the motion Is not debatable. but have 6 substitute that I wanted to get in, but l was h'1'e slow.
 The President--Has the gentleman from Greene any objection. L., Mir. Coieman-I have no autnorlty m
 the matter but have no objection to its being offered. ment as a substitute. The substitute was read as follows: And no person who is not a wnite qualified voter shall hold any once un' der the State" -
 The President-The motion of the gentleman from Greene 's that the Amendment and the substitute lie upon the table to be printed. and taken ur for consideration at the pleasure or tne Convention.
 MT. WattsJrhis is an amendment to this Section IT,. Are we going on ana pass the section without paying an! attention to the amendment. or Whs' are we going to do with 1t!
 
 that there arc other places in the Con stitution where this would come n much more appropriately for consider ation. than here. and hence am Tn fa- yor of laying 1t on the table to De taken up for consideration later.
 Upon a vote being taken a. division was called for, and by vote of 7A ayes ana 21 noes the amendment was laid upon the table, with the substitute. tc l be taken up at the pleasure or the Con vention. .--.... Section II. .-.--.----.-.,- amendment was read ss follows' Amend by striking out tho woro here' after" in line one.
 Mir White The necessity for thit
 amendment is apparent There is nc reason why a person who has been heretofore convicted of embezzlemen' of the public money or any other m. famous crime should be entitled to hold office or to be a member of the leeie- lature. and I suppose the Committed will probably accept it.
 MT. Oates-This is the old section copied from the present constitution | but l have no objection in the worio to the gentleman's amendment, ano
 have no Idea that tho Committee has any. As far as am concerned am willing to accept If. Upon a vote being taken the amend | ment was adopted, and upon a further vote the section as ahenoeo Wal adopted.
 Sectien IS was read as follows: Sec IS. No law shall be passed ex' cept by bill, and no bill shall be 90 all tered pr amended on Its passage through either House as to change It's original purpose. l.
 MT. Oates-That is the provision iT the present Constitution and | move
 its adoption.
 Upon a vote being taken Intersection l was adopted. Section 19 was read as follows:, | Sec. 19. No bill shall become law
 until it shall have been referred to standing committee of each House acted upon by the committees Tn ses'
 sion and returned therefrom wnicF fact shall affirmatlvely appear upor the Journal of each House.
 Mir. Oates--This Is amended so as tc | prevent such practices as have beer | shown to exist in some gases. For in stance I heard evidence here about q l hIll being passed around in open ses
 sion from one member of a committed
 to another. and they were permitted t. write their names on the back, an> | this section now requires referencS to A standing committee. Anothel pre ctice has been engaged in. of refer
 ring a local bill simply to the deiega
 tion from the county, and it is passed
 upon by them. We have no such thing
 or should not have any such thing a!
 county sovereignty in this state. fh' ! 4tasa