The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1881-06-24
SOUTHERN ELECTIONS.
Manner i'm Which Negroes
Are Prohibited from Voting Since
the SHOTGUN was Shelved.
ITarbOrO IN. o.l Cor. New York Trbune.I


the SHOTGUN was SheIved.
[Tarboro IN. C.l Cor. New York Tribune.
have not myself seen an election in
the South-though 1 should like much
to be an observer on such an occasion in
some regions which 1 have visited-and
can therefore only report what is said on
snch matters by persons of the different
classes above mentioned. In Missis-
sippi, in Southern Alabama and in
Louisiana. the negroes are not permit
ted to vote without restriction or, if
they are permitted to vote, their vote
Is not fully registered and returned.
They are hindered from voting, and in
making records and returns their vote is
to a considerable and effectual extent
neutralized or excluded. / do not say
that this is done everywhere, or at
every election. in the States have just
named but it has been done widely,
frequently and recently. / conclude
that the negro vote is thus restricted or
lnterfered with in these regions, because
the leading citizens, Democrats, have
themselves told me that it was done. that
they themselves did and managed the
work, and they have described to me
the methods by which it was accom-
plished.
In Southern Alabama prominent lead
ers in Democratic politics say that in
the "black districts it is common to
have at each place of holding an cleo
ton two ballot-boxes, one for white vot-
ers and the other for the negroes. The
approach to each ballot box, they say,
is by long, narrow passage or "gang-
way" inclosed by a railing on each side.
If the blacks are present, and likely to
vote in such numbers as to &" threaten
the overthrow of society,"" or give cause
of alarm to the leading white citizens,
the offered vote of some ignorant negro
is challenged. The "gangway is full
behind him with a long line of negroes
pressing forward in single file, and i'm
patient to vote. The negro selected for
challenge is always one who lives in
distant part of the township or dis
trict. Somebody is dispatched to sum-
mon witnesses from his neighborhood,
or some other cause of delay is discov-
cred. Everything is conducted with
Judicial quietness, dignity and deliber-
ateness. Of course the other negroes
cannot vote until the case is set
tied. 1t comes to an end by-and-by,
and the decision reached is, usually,
that the challenged negro has the
right to vote and his ballot is accepted.
It is not the plan to refuse the right or
opportunity of voting t. any individual
negro. That would irritate the negroes
and put the guardians of society" at a
disadvantage. The challenged negro's
vote is taken and the voting goes on
quietly and peaceably until it is neces-
sary to repeat the performance above
described. When the hour for closing
the polls comes, there has not been
sufficient time for the full negro Repub-
lican vote to be polled, the counting of
the ballots shows that there is a suffi-
cient Democratic majority and that the
intelligence of the country has again
succeeded in preventing "the overthrow
of society" by ignorance and incapacity.
But, I asked, "what if the negroes
become tired of this enforced waiting,
and, understanding its purpose, should
push forward and demand that their
votes shall be received ?"
Then, answered my informant, sig
nifcantly, "there is collision. The
negroes are the attacking party, and, of
course, they will be worsted."
In some parts of Mississippi the meth
DDS of preventing "the overthrow of So
ciety" are described to me by the act
ors as being similar in essential features.
though the particular arrangements by
which the object is accomplished are
varied to suit the circumstances. Some
times the negroes are allowed to vote
without restriction, and "society is
saved by judicious elimination and
substitution in making up the returns
of the election. This is the method now
most commonly used in Louisiana, OF in
important portions of that State, as I
was informed by prominent citizens and
business men, Democrats.
All the other classes of citizens men,
toned above say that these accounts are
true, that these are the methods en-
ployed for suppressing or neutralizing
the negro Republican vote. All agree,
too, that for some years past there has
been very general desire on the part
of Democratic managers and citizens,
nearly everywhere in the South, to avoid
collisions and disturbances at elections
and political meetings, it being thought
best to depend upon more quiet and
less Objectionable methods for managing
or neutralizing the political power of
the negro Republicans where they are in
majority.
In Southern Alabama and in Missis-
sippi influential Democrats said to me:
"Some of our people, some editors,
deny that the negroes are hindered
from voting; but what is the good of
lying? They are interfered with, and
we are obliged to do it, and we may as
we'll tell The truth"