Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1915-07-23
FRIDAY JULY p, 1915.
UP TO TEXAS VOTERS NOW.

Tomorrow the voters Of TcXaS-that
. those who have paid their poll tax
or the present year-will have the pri-
vilege of voting upon six proposed
amendments 10 the constitution of the
state of Texas. Perhaps ii were better
call it Il duty. rather than a privi-
rc. for ii j. indeed the solemn duty
every voter of the state 10 90 to
polls and east his ballot either pro
con every TIME thcrc IL \ proposal
40 amend the constitution. The amend
ments to be- voted upon tomorrow
have been duly advertised but the adj
Fertisement hardly explains the nature
the amendments sufficiently 10 make
.cm entirely clear Ia the voter who il
%nsclentiouS enough and Intelligent
-nough To wish 10 understand thor
,ugniv amy proposition upon which he
i called Ia vote. We give herewith 4
brief reSunFc of the amendments:
The first on the list. 10 amend Sec
tion , .trrrcir y w the Constitution if
adopted would confer upon an voters
Of the state the right to vote IN amy
precinct or county IN the state where
they may happen 10 be on election day.
Ii is so worded as 10 deny this right
to any except qualified voters. and Is
construed ny many a. virtually deny
ing the RICH: hitherto enjoyed by aliens
residing IN the state to vote merely
upon the strength of having declared
their intention To hecome citizens. Tn
der the existing suffrage law many
thousands III aliens III Texas who have
f- btlmc fully naturaliZed. but
D have merely sworn that il is their
milton to 40 -. are permitted to
and it is claimed the proposed
ldmcnt would diSfranchise them
Tho second. to amend Section ,. Ar
J. ). would provide for the increase
q The supreme court OF the state from
rec to five members. the intention be
" to relieve the supreme court, which
$ said to be unable with It's present
membership 10 dispose Of the numerous
,aSes coming before II.
The third. 10 amend Section 9. arti-
2 :. would confer upon property tax
ers Of any county the right H. vote
levy a special tax not exceeding 30
is on the 800 valuation for public
"a purposes. Under the present law
county can levy over II cents on the
90 valuation for this purpose. The
mendment would make il optional
with the various counties a. IL whether
hey should tax themselves in amy
cunt mp t. - cents on the hundred
collars valuation for road purposes.
ut 10 do so. the matter must be sub
lifted 10 a vote If the property TAX
,vcrS Of the county. III adopted this
'cndment doubtless would result ia
.ensive road building throughout the
tc.
The fourth. Ia amend Section 3. .Arti-
Gle Z. would authorize counties 10 vote
~ create 4 fund 10 ~ loaned to
-udents. to be administered by the
ounty commissioners court. which
r-1l have authority 10 lend such mo-
in sum not exceeding 800 per
TO any one student. for the purpose
.r htaining an education. This is anoth-
local option measure. and i wholly
f~enevolent in purpose, being intended
70 promote the education of Young men
and women who are unable 10 bear the
cxpense incident Ia attending college,
sic amount to be repaid by them when
ley are able 10 40 -.
The fifth. Ia amend Article 3. See
s,o~ -. is for the benefit OF counties
having drainge or levee districts. and
would enable property tax PAYERS by
a fvo-thirls vote. jn iSSUc huudS tn the
amount of onc-half the value Of the pro-
prriv included III the district. and ~
levy a maintenance tax Of not over 30