The age-herald., 1901-06-20


 tion for this State and the subject turn ing to the probable change In the suffrage also what change would be proper and advisable, I suggested a plan which had for three years or more seemed to me to be the nearest safe solution of the knotty problem which had vexed the States of the South having large negro populations. With several years study of this plan, and comparison with other plans originat- Ing in the various States that have held Constitutional Conventions to solve the problem aimed at, I am still persuaded the plan I then suggested would more nearly solve the negro question so far as 1t relates to politics than any other which has come to my notice; and assuredly it would better stand the test of time and the scrutiny of the Federal courts
 Having received in the past few weeks several letters asking for detailed state ment of my plan, one of which comes from a delegate in the present Constitu- tional Convention, I beg space in your columns to give 1t publicity. so that may be saved the burden of writing nu- merous lengthy letters
 First.-Secure to every person eligible to vote under the present (existing at this date, June Il, 1901.) constitution his right to vote at every special and general election held in the State; provided, he shall produce from the tax collector of his county certificate, made under oath, showing he has paid all taxes assessed against him for the three years immedi- ately preceding the general election held after the adoption of the adoption and ratification of this (the new) Constitution, a a pd off fO at ar election. To entitle him to vote at any subsequent election he shall, produce poll-tax receipt, the payment of which tax shall be absolutely voluntary If 1t be the only tax assessed against him, for each year intervening between the elec- ton immediately preceding the one at which he offers to vote, including the year of the preceding election and the year immediately preceding the election at which he offers to vote, provided, in the event of the loss of any or all of these receipts, a certificate of the tax collector, made under oath showing the taxes to have been paid. shall be sufficient
 Second.-All persons 21 years of age or over who shall possess any of tho follow ing qualifications shall be entitled to vote at any special or general election held in this State after the adoption and rati- fication of this (new) constitution.
 (a-) Ability to read and write in En-
 
 required of him.
 (b) Services in the Mexican, Civil (war between the States), Span!sh-Americ or any war in which the United States has or may hereafter engage, as soldier, sailor or marine and their descendants.
 (c) Was an elector in any State of the Union previous to 1867, or the descendant of such elector
 Provided, failure from any cause to qualify for voting under the first provis- ion or section of this suffrage clause, shall not debar one from qualifying for and voting under the second provision or sec ton of this clause; nor shall failure from any cause to qualify for voting under the second provision or section of this suf- frage clause, debar one from qualifying for and voting under the first provision or section of this clause. But qualification to vote under both the first and the sec- ond provisions or sections of this clause shall carry with 1t the right to vote one time under each of them at every special or general election held in this State after the adoption and ratification of this Con- stitution. Provided, further, the ballot of those electors qualifying under the first provision or section of the clause shall be deposited in a separate receptacle from those cast by electors qualifying under the second provision or section of the clause; and two separate poll lists shall be
 
 in either box. And the name of each elector who shall qualify and vote twice snail appear on the poll lists of each box. | To carry out to perfection this system of plural voting as 1t should be carried out and make 1t work out the good results hoped from 1t, there must be a thorough overhauling and change in our entire elec- ton machinery. Unless this shall be &C., complished in an entirely frank and hon. est and impartial manner, the good re- suits hoped for may be greatly min mixed.
 l. There should be an entirely new gen. eral registration of voters at least six months preceding the first election held under the provisions of the new Const- tuition, by board of registrars composed of the justices of the peace and a person appointed as beat registrar by the county registrar. A prerequisite to registration being qualification to vote under the first provision or section of the suffrage clause.
 2 There should be a complete registra- ton separate and apart from the first made at the same time as the first by the same board of registrars of those vot- CTS who shall qualify for suffrage under the second provision or section of the suffrage clause,
 g. Any person denied the right of regis- tration for voting under the first provis- ion or section of the suffrage clause may have hearing before the probate judge, who shal if the tax books and the other evidences of his right to be registered as voter be clear. be authorized to place his name upon the proper registration list, and shall regularly three months prior to any election publish in a county paper list of the names of the persons so registered by him since the last cleo tion.
 A. Any person denied the right of reg istration for voting under the second pro- vision or section of the suffrage clause may make written application for regis tration and file in the office of the judge Of probate thirty days prior to any sit ting of the grand jury of the county, when the judge of probate shall cause his name to be published two weeks in a county paper, together with a statement that he will apply to the grand jury for registration to vote under the second pro- vision or section of the suffrage clause. After hearing his case fully and examin- ing any proofs he may present, If the grand jury shall decide by a majority vote Of the whole that he is competent and qualified to vote under the second provis- ion or section of the suffrage clause, the foreman and clerk shall so certify in writ ing to the judge of probate and require him to place the successful applicants name upon the proper registration list of the beat in which he resides
 5. Any person making such application to the grand jury and failing to secure registration may make similar application to any succeeding grand jury of the county.
 6. There shall be two ballot boxes at each polling place, one for electors vot- ing under the first provision or section O. the suffrage clause, and the other for elec- tors voting under the second provision n r tnr1 of hA ctffrr rla