15 Kan. 26 | Kan. | 1875
The opinion of the court was delivered by
The only question involved in this case, or rather the only question which we need consider, is, whether persons having all -the qualifications for electors as defined by § 1, article 5 of the constitution, except that they are women, have the right to vote at an election regularly held for the election of a school-district treasurer. This case differs widely
“The inhabitants qualified to vote at a school meeting, lawfully assembled, shall have power, * * * 3. To choose a director, clerk and treasurer, who shall possess the qualifications of voters.” (Gen. Stat., 918.)
And § 20 of the same article provides that—
“The following persons shall be entitled to vote at any district meeting: First, All persons possessing the qualifications of electors, as defined by the congtitution of the state, and who shall be residents of the district at the time of offering to vote at said elections. Second, All white female persons over the age of twenty-one years, not subject to the disqualifications named in section second, article fifth, of the constitution of the state, and who shall be residents of the district at the time of offering to vote.”, (Gen. Stat., 919.)
But it is claimed that the second subdivision of said § 20, of the school law, is unconstitutional and void, as being in contravention of § 1, ai’t. 5, of the constitution, which reads as follows:
“ Every white male person, of twenty-one years and upward, belonging to either of the following classes, who shall have resided in Kansas six months next preceding any election, and in the township or ward in which he offers to vote at least thirty days next preceding such election, shall be deemed a qualified elector: First, Citizens of the United States. Second, Persons of foreign birth who shall have declared their intention to become citizens conformably to the laws of the Uixited States on the subject of naturalization.”
Now does § 1, art. 5, of the constitution, have any application to the election of school-district tx’easurers ? The constitution provides for two, and only two, elections, to be held by the people, to-wit, gexxeral elections and township elec