The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-07
THE SOUTHERN QUESTION
FRESH CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LIT
ERATURE OF THE SUBJECT.
Views From Democratic and Republi-
can ndpolnts-Senators Butler, of
South Carolina, and walthall, OF Mis-
s.esippi, on the Situation.

allusion was made to the suggestion OF en-
tire Federal control over the election OF
members Of the House OF Representatives.
Some OF the leading men in the Republi-
can party, who have been discussing this
matter, are OF the opinion that is the only
legislation which can be made effective in
the South, and they openly favor such
course. Among these is Senator Sherman.
He believes that il should be done as soon
ms practicable, and as law putting all the
machinery OF the election for members OF
the House in possession Of the National
Government would apply to and be en-
forced in all States alike, il could not be crit
icised as sectional or partial. II may be
certainly anticipated, as already said, that
measure having this object in view will
be introduced and pressed in the next
Congress. Perhaps 1t may be presented
in this Congress, Of course with no expecta-
ton OF passing IL, but simply as a prelimi-
nary notice. 1t is proposed to include in
this measure provision fixing day diff
ferent from that prescribed for the State
elections.
STATE AND NATIONAL ELECTIONS.
The proposition 10 sever the State and
National elections has much 10 commend
IL II would put an end summary to the
dsgraceful trading off of candidates,
vicious practice which prevails more or
less in various States. but which is at
tended with the greatest evils in the great
est State. This, OF itself, would be an
amply sufficient reason, II there were not
many others. II there has been any good
reason for holding State and National cleo
tons on the same day, except the personal
convenience OF voters and the saving OF a
little expense, it has never been adduced.
When consideration Is given TO the sub
icct all the arguments favor the severance.
Whether it would be wise policy ior the
Government 10 take entire control is
another matter. and the proposition TO do
this, whenever brought in, is sure 10 en-
counter serious and strenuous opposition.
But II 1t is made party measure by Re-
publican caucus, the country can be
assured II will be on the statute books be-
fore the time for the choosing OF Represen-
tatives in the Fiity-Second Congress. In
the event of the passage OF law RENTING
TO Government officials all charge in the
premises the Southern States would UNI
doubtedly, II Congress failed TO do 80, pro-
vide themselves "a different day for their
own elections.
WHAT THE SOUTH MAY EXPECT.
Touching the Southern policy Of the
Harrison Administration, with the two
Houses OF Congress at its back, there
appears To be nothing more likely TO COM
mend itself than the measure above out
lined. That and the idea OF setting up
Mahones all over the South will almost
certainly he the foundation OF the new
Southern policy. This may impair Demo
cratic supremacy, but there is no military
or carpet-bag rule about il, and no menace
TO business interests. Evidences come
here daily Of intense concern felt all over
the South as 10 the political future OF that
section after March 4 Leading men OF
the South have been prompted 10 address
formal appeals 10 Gen. Harrison, besccch-
ing him for some definite utterances as 10
his prospective intentions and those Of his
party. To these he has replied courteous.
~, but In gliltoring gcneralities. This is
characteristic Of the man. lie Is too well
balanced TO flop over on either side, but
that he has very definite ideas is not TO be
doubted II could not really, under ia,
circumstances, he expected that Mr.. llar
rison would bo otherwise than non com
initial ut this time. II would be pool
Judgment for him 10 undertake 10 las
down In detail what his ideas and pur
poses are, when he will still he private
citizen for three months TO come.
Let the South calm itself; what Is 10 IN
done will be known In good time. II vii
not be revolutionary, not subyersive O
society, nor destructive Of business inter
ests.
REsTmcTIoS or SUFFRAGE.
The South has indeed. In iis own hand
the means TO render itself Just ~ indiiIcr
ent, 10 far rs its local interests aud polite
are concerned, rs TO which party IN Il
control nj Washington ~ the East o
Northwest. II Is only because the Soutl
has q class Of population unknown com
parativcly 10 other sections that such
not now the case. When universal sui
iragc was iorcibly implanted In the Con
stituiion by the Republican party, wis
anu iar-secng men talked Of that antidot
in the matoria mcdica Of politics 20 ignol
ance and vice. an educational test. Ila
this been adopted nj the time there coul
have been no Southern policy at Washing
ton any more than policy for the East q
4 policy for the West. IL was scarcely II,
tened 10, but was knocked inside becaua
II would reduce tho rcpfcscntatio
OF the South in Congress aud In th
Electoral College. What u Il had7
would only have been temporary rcdu,
ton, aud the only practical bearing woul
have been few les places in Congrcss Il
the politicians The electoral college III
/ - Ff..N a.. N1aH
except four yoars ago, when n change {,
COO votes Ia New York would again hay
made Il nullity. Thus only once
twenty yeau did u escape by the merci
scratch from being of no more accouI
than II II had been fifty instead Of ~
The writer has visited the South ircqucntl
since the days Of reconstruction, and h.
been told hy hundreds of lis best citizen
not politicians, that they did not care
button who ran politics NJ Washington, I
they could have safe and dcccni govcri
mcnt at home. An educational tcal 4
voters would ensure this.
STIMULUS TO EDUCATION.
II may be claimed that the "poD
! whites" Of the South would be- affected I
an educational test. So they might. hi
7 what better spur could b. applied To the
} "a improve their condition. The "pO'
whites" oi the South comprise anoth
! element Of population which has no pa
. allel Ia any other section. They aud q
, blacks, unlike many oi means aud INTEL
gcnce, regard the right 10 vote rs The dca
! cat privilege Of their existence, and ia,
! would struggle bard 10 comply with u
/ requisite qualification. II would DO
> greater stimulus Ia education than ~