Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-02-05
MR.. HAsKINs DEFENDS VERMONT
He Resents an Attack on the States
Constitution and Laws.

Whiie the urgent Deiclency Bill wal
under consideration the House o
Representatives last THURSDAY, Mr.
Hardwick OF Georgia made an assault
upon the suffrage provisions embodied
In the constitution and laws OF tht
state OF Vermont. Congressman
Haskins replied as follows in the five
minutes which was allotted him.
! MI Hemenway-l yield hve minutes
to the gentleman from Vermont. (Mr
Haskins)
Mr. Haskins: Chairman owing
TO the fact that yesterday l was en-
gagged In committee | was not present
during the remarks OF the gentleman
from Georgia (Mr Hardwick) This
morning however my attention was
called to what he stated with refer
ence to the constitution and laws OF
Vermont touching the question OF suf-
frage. | read from his remarks:
Il respectfully invite the attention
of the distinguished gentleman and OF
the Union League Club to the consti-
tuition and laws of the state of Yer
mont by which citizens who are OF
quiet and peaceable behavior, and who
have the appreciation OF the board OF
civil authorities, shall alone be per-
mitted to vote; the most far-reaching
provision that was ever adopted In any
state, North or South
Mr. Chairman, the original constitu-
ton of the state of Vermont was ad-
opted in 1777. Its framework was the
constitution OF Pennsylvania OF l776.
However, in this particular they did
not agree: PENNSYLVANIA based her suf-
frage provisions upon tax paying; Yer
mont based her suffrage upon man
hood only. supplemented by an oath,
which we designate as the "freeman's
OATH which Is taken by the first
voter" Now, that there may be no
misunderstanding or misapprehension
as to the constitution and
laws of Vermont | desire TO have
them incorporated in The Record.
They are very brief: read first from
the Declaration of rights OF the in
habitants OF the state of Vermont"
chapter l.
Art. s. That all elections ought to
be free and without corruption, and |
hat all freemen, having sufficient, |
evident common interest with, and at
.achment to, the community, have
light to elect officers, and be elected |
nto office, agreeably to the regulations
made in this constitution.
/ now read from the plan or frame
" government, chapter section Il;
md this was the provision Of 1777.
Sec. 21. Every man Of the full age of
i years, having resided in this etate
or the space Of one whole year ncxt
'efore the election Of Representative,
nd is of quiet and peaceable be-
Iavior and will take the following oath 4
n affirmation. shall be entitled to all Il
he privileges of freeman of this
tate.
Then follows the freeman's oath:
You solemnly swear Cor affirm that
,henever you give your vote or suff- {
age touching any matter that con- i
erns the state of Vermont, you will do {
so as In your conscience you shall
idge will most conduce to the best /
ood of the same, as established by 9
he constitution, without fear or favor {
( any man. 1
Then comes section ~: /
Sec. 70. The declaration of the poll '
cal rights and privileges of the in 4
abitants of this state is hereby de- I
ared TO be a part of the constitution q
this Commonwealth and ought not r
be violated on any pretense what {
,ever. L
These are the only provisions in the
institution as to suffrage. 1 now 4
.ad from the law. the statute of Yer a
ont fixing the rights and uualifica- a
ms of voters. r
Sac so Citizens of the limited States n
I'd persons who have become citizens r.
this state by virtue of the constitu- n
IN or laws are. while residing in the h
ate. citizens thereof.
Sec. 81. Every male citizen. 21 wears ,,
age or more, having resided in the q,
ate one wear next preceding n gem .,
al election. shall have a right to vote .,
such election for the officers tn be fc
,cted thereat in the town where he .,
sides on the day of such election. h,
If he shall not vote for town repre- ~
ntative or Justices of the peace at .,
oh election unlass no rasidad during 9,
> thrae months NEXT precedins the ht
tion In the town in which his resi- =,
moo is on tho dav of tho election ,.o
Now tho election officers under orr -,
9 arc the justices of the peace and ~
, saIectnan and the town clerks of =.
several towns and In the cities ~
-, ora the p,avor end aldermen and a.
,ticas of the naace our town Off an
c arc alectad annually. our iustices ~
tha n.aco ora alacted b;enniai,v The III
ast;on as 80 ,nar,s no,;tics to he
"a . i,stioa of tha naooa or CO.
-, go, o,,tors 49, a. a,ao,;o,
=