Speech #890052416

I propose to amend the proposition of the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Boutwell) so that it will read as follows: "SEC. 1. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge or deny to any male citizen of the United States of sound mind and 21 years of age or upward the equal exercise of the elective franchise. subject to such registration laws as the State may establish. at all elections in the State wherein he shall have actually resided for a period of 1 year next preceding such election. except such of said citizens as shall hereafter engage in rebellion or insurrection. or who may have been or shall be duly convicted of treason or other infamois crime." I desire to give in passing one reason that controls me in presenting this amendment in this form. as to the term of residence required1 year next preceding the election in the State in which he shall offer to votethat reason is this: Each year there are landed upon our shores hundreds of thousands of adult persons who are aliens ofby the modern invention of forged naturalization papers. the Government of the United States is not protected against the pollution of the ballot box by thousands who are not entitled to vote. and yet control the elections of the people. I have something further to say of the additional limitations proposed in the short time within which this debate is limited. and then I shall have done. My colleague.