Suffrage
Many debates in the Philomathesian Society revolved around property rights, suffrage, and their relation to each other. Six times in less than 30 years (1804-1827) the society contested whether suffrage should depend on possession of property and all six times the society resolved that someone should not be allowed to vote if he or she did not own property. While the Philomathesians were a remarkably progressive group of people, they would not go so far as to guarantee suffrage to landless citizens.

1. April 4, 1804
“Ought property to give the right of suffrage?”
Decided in the Negative.
2. July 25, 1805
“Ought the right of suffrage depend on the possession of property?”
Decided in the Affirmative.[commentary]
3. June 12, 1816
“Ought the right of suffrage to depend on the possession of property?”
Decided in the Affirmative.
4. October 27, 1819
“Ought the right of suffrage to depend on the possession of property?”
Decided in the Affirmative.
5. July 24, 1822
“Ought property to constitute the right of suffrage?”
Decided in the Affirmative.
6. November 1, 1827
“Ought property to constitute the right of suffrage?”
Decided in the Affirmative.