The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1872-11-01

WEST VIRGINIA AMI ApxAxs..


In 1868 the total vote OF West Virginia va,
69,S97. Grant carrying the State by majority
OF S,Sss. In 1870. when the reform move.
mont which began in Missouri was sweeping
over the country. West Virginia cast q total
vote OF 55,CO7, the opposition to Radicallsm
carrying the state by majority of 2, 1923. Ry
the United States census taken in this latter
year the population OF the State was 442, Ola.
and at the ordinary ratio OF voters to populs.
ton the total vote should have been about
$4,000 instead Of $1,000 AZ il was. The occa.
sion OF this discrepancy was the infamous
system OF disfranchisemont incorporated in
the West Virginia Constitution at the time
the state was organized to assist the Radical
party by introducing q reinforcement very
much needed in 1862 in the United States
Senate. On the anti-proscnptionist victory
OF 1870 the new Legislature proceeded to do
away with this disfranch isement, and as a re-
suit OF this step We ind the total vote OF
the state at the election on the 22d Of August
last 81 ,402, an increase of some $4,000 over
that polled IN 1870. II has often been assert
cd, and as often denied by Radicals, that
from 10000 to 5000 men were disfranchsed
In West Virginia, but in view of these figures
1t can no longer be controverted that the
State was held 80 long for the Radical party
simply and solely by q sweeping and most in
lquitous system Of partisan disfranchisement.
happily that is AL over now, and West vir-
cause OF honesty and good government but
1t Is as well to put on record how Grant re.
ceived the electoral vote of this State in 1868.
and especially is this in point when we re-
member that Arkansas to-day is where West
virginia wa ayear or SO ago. No one doubts
thatArkAnsas is an anti-Grant Statewho knows
that it's population BY the census of 1870 was
362.1l5 whites and 122, 1863 negroes, or about
10000 Democratic and Conservative voters
and ~, 900 Republican. That with this over
wheming preponderance Of tho white votes
the State is as fully negroized as South Caro-.
lima will not seem wonderful when the system
Of prescription and Acknowledgement which is !
in force is considered. To have held any
Office before the war, even that of road in |
spector or justice Of the peace, to have fur |
nished supplies to the Confederacy, to have |
voted against the reconstruction measures, |
are sufficient to disfranchise any person
and II none Of these or numberless other like |
objections lie, the registrars are allowed on |
the broad, general ground Of their own
knowledge or Judgment to refuse registration.
Further still. while the weight of the four
teenth amendment has been lifted by act of |
Congress from ell but specified classes, and
while even in its worst estate that measure |
only debarred from Office it is still in full |
force In Arkansas SO far as to disqualify from
voting all who are under its original terms.
Owing to theee causes the total Arkansas
vote, which should be some $4,000. was at the
last election but 1858. These are the lowest |
figures. for it is stated on excellent authority
that 81 200 persons were DISTINGUISHED in |
1870, but we WI. take it that the total is but
26, 900. All these are. of course. disfran-
chsed simply and solely because they oppose |
Grant. Could they approach the ballot-box |
hey would swell the Democratic vote to |
1900, and bury out of sight the Republican |
rote Of $4,000 which now controls the State. |
Arkansas six electoral votes would go |
against Grant, and two Demcratice Senators |
md four Congressman come up to Washing
on to aid in purer management of public |
lffairs To forbid this we have 10000 men
obbed of their votes.