In 1890 Law No. 4 was passed, creating the Second Volksraad and altering the Grondwet (or constitution) accordingly.  By this law the franchise was indirectly altered without repealing those portions which may be at variance with or repugnant to the implied alterations, and this was done by simply defining what class of electors should vote for members of the First Raad, and what class for members of the Second.  Thus, ’the members of the First Volksraad shall be elected by those enfranchised burghers who have obtained the right of voting before this law comes in force, or thereafter by birth in the State, and on having attained the age of sixteen years.’  Secondly, all those who became naturalized and enfranchised after this law was passed could not vote for members of the First Volksraad, but a subsequent article in the law provides that the higher rights can be obtained by those who shall have been eligible for ten years for election to the Second Volksraad; and it is then explained that, in order to be eligible for the Second Volksraad, it is necessary to be thirty years of age, to be a member of the Protestant Church, to live and have landed property in the Republic, and to have been a naturalized subject for two years.  Thus the full electoral privileges were only obtainable after fourteen years’ residence in the State, and the possession of the other qualifications of religion, property, etc.

Next came Law No. 13 of 1891, which was rather a codification than an alteration of previous laws.  In 1892 another law was passed again explaining, but not materially altering the franchise.  In 1893 Law No. 14 was passed as an amendment of previous laws:  further juggling the position—­further hedging in the sacred preserve.  As the law was superseded in the following year it is unnecessary to go into details; but note how the measure became law!  It was not published in the Staats Courant for three months as required by law; it was not published at all; nor was any special resolution taken affirming that it was a matter of extreme urgency and therefore to be held exempt from that rule of procedure; so that the High Court ought to be able to declare it null and void.  The circumstances of its introduction could not be considered to warrant the plea of urgency.  On the 29th and 30th June, 1893, memorials upon the franchise question were laid before the Raad.  From Johannesburg came one memorial bearing 4,507 signatures out of the grand total of 6,665 memorialists.  It was in favour of extension of the franchise.  Another memorial from 103 Free State burghers was in favour of extension, another from Barberton from 40 burghers also for extension.  Seven memorials, bearing 444 signatures, were against extension.  All the others concerned minor alterations in Law 13 of 1891, and did not affect the franchise.  The Raad appointed a commission and on the 8th of September received its report, together with a draft law which had not before seen the light of day.  After a discussion lasting part of one morning the law was passed provisionally; and to be of full force and effect until confirmed by the Raad in the following year.  Thus again were the fundamental political conditions entirely altered by the passing of a law which two hours before had not been heard of.