Disfranchisement.
Several of the
Southern States have revised, and others contemplate the revision, of their constitutions with a view to disfranchise illiterate negroes.
There is an educational qualification, which, however, does not apply to men or to the sons or grandsons of men who were qualified to vote in 1867, nor to foreigners naturalized before Jan. 1, 1898.
An educational qualification and a poll tax of $2, which may be further increased by a county poll tax of $1.
An educational qualification and a poll tax are necessary, with the exception that the educational qualification shall not apply to any one who was entitled to vote under the laws of any State in the
United States on Jan. 1, 1867.
On Jan. 1, 1896, a new constitution went into effect by which voters could be enrolled up to Jan. 1, 1898, provided they could read or could explain to the satisfaction of the registering officer such parts of the
Constitution of the United States as might be read to them, but after Jan. 1, 1898, only those able to read and write any required part of the
Constitution, or who could prove themselves tax-payers on property worth not less than $300, could be enrolled as voters.
A new law was passed March 20, 1901, practically making an educational qualification to read and write necessary for enrolment as a voter.
See also elective franchise.
