The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-08-04
Democratic Reconstruction,

No class in the North is more gratiied to
note the general quiet which prevails in the
South, and none, we are confident, will hail
with greater satisfaction any real evidence
that the color line in politics in that section
is gradually fading out, than the Republi-
cans. Nevertheless, after what has taken
rlAoA, 4l,AsA- -intArnstAi- in nnhlio affairs can
but feel deep interest in what is transpir-
ing in those states which undertook to form
new government. Particularly is this the
case in those states where the Democratic
leaders have, through the unfaithfulness of
pretended Republicans, secured political con-
troll. It will first be noticed in this connec-
ton that one of the first movements of the
Democratic leaders in the states where they
secure the ascendency is to constitutional
conventions. No doubt there are objection
able features in the constitutions of several
of the reconstructed states. Many of them
do not contain limitations to the extent to
which the state credit can be used, or set
forth the purposes. In others the machin-
cry of the state government is too expensive.
We do not learn, however, that where the
Democratic leaders have gained the asceE-
dency that they propose to reduce the num-
ber of officials, for 1t is popularity of the
average Democratic politician that he loves
Office when he has 1t with an intensity that
no other mortal possesses, and regards those
as public enemies who keep him from the
public crib.
1t is not altogether profitless to note the
tendency of the Democratic reconstruction in
the South. In Arkansas, for instance, the
Democrats obtained the ascendency. The
first thing which followed was constitution
a. convention. This body accomplished little
beyond providing for Democratic legislature
which proceeded to abolish the state school
officials and to make no provision for :he sup
port of public schools, so that it comes about
that this State has been restored to its "prop-
er leaders," who have turned il bacS to the
old and dangerous policy of allowing the
masses to grow up in ignorance. This same
Democratic legislature abolished the distinc-
tion between grand and petit larceny, and pro-
vided that conviction for this offense shall worI
permanent dlsfranchisement. The admins
tration ofjustice being in the hands of those
who desire to ''control labor" the colored
man who steals the smallest thing can be
tried for larceny, and disfranchised for life
thus making it greater offense to steal {
chicken than to lead in an attempt TO over
throw the Union. 1t is said that one thou
sand convictions have already occurred unde
this Law, (which, in the hands of those ''prope
leaders, who once owned the colored men,
is a powerful instrument not only to ''contro
labor'' but to destroy their political oppo
nents.
The Democratic leaders in Texas wher
that party is now in power have provided to
constitutional convention. But they hav'
not waited for change in the constitution t.
make known their purpose to reconstruct
the State. Under their rule the common
schools have been reduced in number, no re
port has been published, and the general sys
tenn has been treated with neglect. Reagan
the postmaster-general of the late Confed
eracy is representative Texan Democrat
He has just been making speech in whicl
he demands that the present constitution b
Overthrown if for no other reason than tina
it was formed blythe party in sympathy wit
the "remorseless conqueror." But he ha
other reasons for its overthrow. 1t provide
for liberal public school system which, MI
Reagan says, is designed "to degrade til
yeomanry Of the country and elevate the NJ
| gro." He was opposed to free school sys
tenn on any basis. Mr.. Reagan also defend
| ed the Democratic law of that state whic
| provides for the partial reinstatement (
the colored laborer by selling his labor t
| Planters until any fine imposed tor any often.
| is worked out. He further advocated the r.
establishment of the public whipping pos
| As this punishment is considered iniamou
under Texas law, it would work disfranchis
| ment.
| Alabama is another state that has recent
passed over to Democratic hands. The lie
islature controlled by that party greatly r
duced the school revenues. A constitutio
al convention is soon to be co
vened in that state, and in the discu
ion now in progress, the present provision