The age-herald., 1901-06-06
QUESTION
 IS A DIFFICULT PROBLEM
BY FRANK HARVEY MILLER.

which all taxes eollectable during the pre- vious year have been paid. Every voter must have paid his poll tax and other taxes before being allowed to vote. Per sons convicted of certain crimes are not allowed to vote unless pardoned by the Governor. This iB particularly the Missis- Blppi plan except that it goes step far thor fin requiring all persons to be able to both read and write to enable them to register after 1898, or else own ss00 of property. This constitution has never been before the Supreme Court. but there is no question but what 1t is constitu- tional.
 Three years later in 1898, Louisiana adopted new constitution. As qualifioa- tons for electors. besides the age and residence qualifications 1t requires that the voter must be reg1sterd, that he must be able to both read and write, or must own Ss0O of property, on which If person. atty, all taxes due must have been paid. All voters who arc under co years af age must also have paid a poll tax of N a year for the two years preceding the year in which he offers to vote So far these provisions are similar to those of Missis- eippi and South Carolina
 The Loisiana Constitutional Convention, however, in order not to dfsfranchise any white man, adopted what is known as the grandfather clause" This provided that any person who was on January 1, 1867, or any time prior thereto entitled to vote un- der the laws of any State, or any son or grandson of any such person, should not be denied the right to vote by reason of his failure to possess the educational or property qualification prescribed in the constitution. This required however, that such person should have resided in the State five years next preceding the date at which he shall apply for registration, and shall have registered prior to Sep tember 1, 1898, after which date he could not register.
 1 The last Southern State to adopt a con- stftution was North Carolina, which last year adopted as qualifications for voters, besides registration, the age and residence clauses and the payment of poll-taxes, the understanding clause of the Mississippi and South Carolina conscientious, and also the ''grandfather clause of tbA Lou isiana constitution There Is no property qualification. and those entitled to vote under the grandfather clause must regis ter prior to December l. 1S06
 It is doubted by many prominent law yers whether the grandfather clause" is constitutional. It has not yet been before the Supreme Court of the United States, although it is understood that the Louis lana constitution is to be tested there. The North Carolina Constitutional Convention seemed determined to stand or fall by this provision, for it adopted a clause in the constitution that it's whole suffrage scheme was one indlvisible plan and it must all go or all remain in force.
 Besides this plan of not depriving any white man of his vote, there is Senator Daniels soldier clause" which he in- tends to present to the Virginia Constitu- tional Convention for adoption. This Is similar to the grandfather clause and provides that any soldier or descendent of a soldier shall not be disqualified from voting by failure to qualify under any other suffrage provision. It seems to be popular plan with the delegates of Ala bama's convention
 Several ordinances embodying 1t have already been introduced. It is possible that the convention may adopt it. The Democrats are pledged in their platform not to deprive any white man of his vote small poll-tax requirement would not do this, but there is a strong sentiment to let the old soldiers vote without requir- ing them to pay any poll-tax, Outside of this provision 1t is probable that the "un- derstanding clause and an alternate property qualification of $300 will be ad- opted and it is certain some plan of regis tration will also be selected.