The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1866-04-26

the rate (per column of............... 30 %
vention adjourned; the State Constitu-
ton as made by the convention would
have been ratified almost without oppo-
sition; it would have been ratified mem
con, if it haG been submitted this at
least is my opinion.
Q. What was the voting popultion of
your State in 1860? \. Something
upwards Of a hundred thousand.
@. What is probably the present vot-
ing population ? A. The voting popu.
lation Of the State under the present
constitution is perhaps eighty thousand
that is a mere estimate.
@. Has there been any enumeration
of the losses of Georgia in the field in
the military service? A. No a ccuratc
estimate that am aware of.
Q. What IS it supposed to have been?
a. am not able to answer the qucs~
ton with anything like accurrcy.
@. What is the public sentiment of
Georgia with regard to the extension Of
the right of voting to the negroes A.
The general opinion in the State is very
much averse to it.
Q. If a proposition were made to
amend the Constitution 50 as to have
representation in Congress based upon
voters substantially, would Georgia rati.
fy such a proposed amendment if it
were made condition precedent to the
restoration Of the State to political pow
er in the government? y. | DO not
think they would; the people of Gcor-
gia, in my judgment, as far as | can re-
fleet or represent their opinions, feel
that they are entitled under the COnsti.
tuition of the United States to represen-
tation without any further condition or
precedent, and they would not object
to entertain, discuss and exchange views
in the common councils Of the country.
with the other States upon such a pro
position or any proposition to amend
the Constitution Or change it in any Of
its features, and they would abide by
any such change if made as the Consti-
tuition provides but they feel that they
are constitutionally entitled to be heard
by their Senators ana members in the
Houses OF Congress upon this or any
other proposed amendment; | do not,
therefore, think that they would ratify
that amendment, suggested as condi-
ton precedent to her being admitted to
representation in Congress; such at least
is my opinion.
q. 1t is then your opinion that at
present the people Of Georgia would
neither be willing to extend suffrage to
the negroes nor consent to the exclusion
of the negroes from the basis of repre-
sentation? A. The people Of Georgia,
in my Judgment, arc perfectly willing
20 leave suffrage and the basis Of repre-
sentation where the Constitution leaves
it. They look upon the question Of SUI
frage as one belonging exclusively to
the States one over which and under
the Constitution of the United States
Congress has no jurisdiction, power or
control, except in proposing amend
mcnts to the States, and not in exacting
their submission to them | do not
think, therefore, that the people of that
: State, while they are disposed, as 1 be-
lieve earnestly, to deal fairly, justly AMI
generously With the freedmen, would be
, willing to consent to a change in the
Constitution that would give Congress
jurisdiction over the question of sut-
frage and especially would they be
very much averse to Congress executing
r any such jurisdiction without their rep,
resentativcs in the Senate and House
being heard in the public councils upon
this question, aud that so vitally con,
Germs their internal policy, as we'll as the
' internal policy Of all the States.
e TContinued in next issue.