Indian Voting Rights - The California Constitutional Convention

The California Constitutional Convention began on September 1, 1849 in Monterey. Delegates opposed to suffrage for Native Americans included Oliver Wozencraft from Ohio. He argued that Native people didn't understand the American system of government and were therefore unprepared to vote. The pro-Native contingent responded by suggesting a compromise. Granting voting rights to some Native Americans, but only if they owned land under American law. But the opposition rejected that idea too. They feared that wealthy landowners would gain the system by granting his Native workers a few acres each, and then controlling their votes. Despite his moderate rhetoric regarding Indian rights, he voted in favour of the measure, thereby disenfranchising non-white Californians