The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-28
Is This Local Option in the Matter
OF Suffrage?

We sympathize with every respectable
attempt to discover the solution Of the
South's negro problem. The latest and
In some ways the most original effort Of
this kind is that which the Atlanta Con-
stitution has undertaken. Our contem-
porary's proposition is set forth in the
article we copy in another column.
OF course it is evident that il the suf-
rage laws OF Vermont do in fact prescribe
IS one of the qualifications of the indi-
vidual voter the appreciation Of the
board Of civil authority in the town in
which he resides" and il this broad
provision should be held as Constitu-
tional by the Supreme Court Of the
United States, a check upon undesirable
elements OF the suffrage everywhere
would be established instantaneously
and effectively No State would need
any other law to restrict the suffrage
than one modelled after the Vermont
statute. The State would not even have
to define the classes to be excluded from
the polls. The ultimate decision would
rest with the municipal or township au-
thorities. II the local authorities ap-
proved man as a voter, he could vote;
il they turned down their thumbs, the
polls would be closed so far as concerned
his ballot.
This, it will be seen, would constitute
a remarkably simple system Of local
option in regard to suffrage. The su-
preme Court Of the United States, by
the decision invoked by the Constitution
in the Vermont case, turns over the final
judgment as to suffrage qualifications
to the several States. The several
States, by copying the Vermont form Of
statute, put the matter entirely at the dis
posal OF the minor civic divisions. Every
city, town or other municipality thus
pronounces through its representative
authorities upon the qualifications OF its
own citizens to exercise the franchise.
The citizens desiring to vote present
themselves before the board as candi-
dates for appreciation and unless
appreciation is obtained they walk away
disappointed. No general principle of
discrimination need be announced by the
local tribunal. 1t merely approves or
declines to approve in each individual
CASE
This is certainly very interesting
point which our, Atlanta contemporary
ingeniously raises.
We must however, call the attention
Of the Constitution to the fact that the
Vermont law, from which it quotes only
single phrase, applies somewhat diff
ferently from what might at first glance
be assumed to be the case. The various
provisions Of Chapter Six of the YER
mont statutes, relating to the qualifca-
ton OF voters, are these:
"sRcrIox oo-c,tsens OF the United States, and
persons who have become citizens Of this State by
virtue Of the Constitution and laws, are, while re
siding In the State, citizens thereof
SECTION ol.-Every male citizen. twenty one
years Of age. or more having resided In the State
one year next preceding . general election, shall
have right to vote at such election for the oficers
to be elected thereat in the town where he resides
ON the day OF election. But he shall not vote for
town representatives or Justices at such election
unless he has resided during the three months mel Il
preceding the election. In the town which Is his resi-
dcncc on the day OF election.
SECTION o2.-No such citizen. after removing
from aud residing without the State, shall vote at
such election until he has resided In this State one
year next preceding the day Of such election. and
taken the oath Of allegiance TO the State the oath
to support the Constitution OF the United States,
and the frecman's oath.
SECTIONS g. o. and es.-lRea,e 10 what const :
tutes residence for the purpose OF voting at gen
era election: the retention Of the right 10 VOTE moi
wthstandlng absence, by Ming . declaration with
the Town Clerk: exemptions from the forfeiting Of
the vote through absence In specified cases. eel
'"SEcrIoH Ono person shall b admitted TO
take the freemans oath or vote ., an election until
he has obtained the appreciation Of the board Of
civil authority Of ,,as town In which he rssdes."
The last aSSted section contains ths