The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-07-25

right to vote. nor to any person who
shall be 60 Years Of age Or upward
al the time this amendment shall take
effect
The above amendment was proposed
be the Sixty.fourth legislature Of the
state OF Maine and approved By the
governor April 2, 1891, adopted by ths'
Aseopie september f2. 1899, proclatme n
Iby Governor. BuElcigaA as part ,Sllitht
effective the Grst Wednesday offaaarf
ary iS92
The law yitalizlng this amendment
Is found III Chapter 5, Revised stat
uies OF Maine, 1903, and defining those
who are citizens and having a right 70
vatc specifically states that they must
be natuulized citizens OF the United
states. and those who were sixty
wears OF age and upwards on lam,
| my 1. 1898. the time the above amend
ment was made effective. The regis
tfation laws. under this act, exclude,
IN Indians not taxed. paupers and
others that are a public charge ami
specifically says that the party ap-
nlying for registration shall furnish
the board with his naturalization pa,
ners. shall read and write section q
tine constitution in such manner ~
ia show il is not being recited ffom
| memory. Il,
The need OF this amendment Y
| tho Maine constitution was such ~
Il being experienced by The states 0,
,he south tb,--domination by Ignorant
/ and illIterate persons. Mainn was De
mr overrun by foreigners who wer..
slow to avail themselves Of the prlNif
~res Of schooling themselves as "
The customs Of the people and learn
/ rig the requirements Of citizenship ~
az to be familiar to the needs OF ".
| country. Such is the condition OF tns
teople this grandfather clause y
Intended TO re ach. Rather than Dein1
factor to prevent any man the rign'
os suffrage II is to be an incentive u
make the illiterate and ignorant PR
mare themselves to become part U
an intelligent citizenship and be In ;,
-osition 10 intelligently assist III az
a ministering the affairs OF govern
! ment. a 80
i WHY, then. this opposition to q pro
rosed law that will stimulate educa
t,on TO a degree TO make those VINO
cannot learn, to at least read an'
urite hts rame? Why antagonize
law that Is intended to purify the pa
lot in a community that Is domlnate'
nv an illiterate class of people whe'
states older than ours and more OK
nerienced in matters of suffrage havs
.one so far as Maine TO disquality a.
xoept natural born citizens, excep
/ they be naturalized, and all citizen
excepting he can read and write! !
.yould seem more consistent upon ~
,art of the opposition to deal with th'
grandfather clause" In a consisteh
manner and not condemn propose
aw OF our state without condemnin
ije same features that exist In lava
4 Of other states situated to the nofs'
| md east of our own domain.
The grandfather clanse,' does no
4 exclude foreigners, as the opposition
,retends 70 show II does not re
ouire naturalization. II does not eA
rmde Indians not taxed nor refer Z
them. They are safeguarded by TN
United States government II doe
cot exclude the intelligent negro no
| Inc intelligent immigrant from FOR
eien country. It does strike at IN
anintelligent class, both white an'
tlack. and requires that no persoI
hall be allowed to register or to Noe
sho cannot read or write the constitu
ion of the state Better adopt th'
amendment so that those who cannc
10 SO will make the attempt to lear
% read and write and think for them
selves and not depend upon the poi'
tjcal boss to dictate to them how q
vote.