Wichita eagle., 1889-01-13
REPUBLICANS AND THE
RACE QUESTION.


quartermaster general in the army that
surrendered to Grant at Appomattox,
and the Republican governor of Georgia
under the reconstruction laws, whose
name has been mentioned as possible
choice of President-elect Harrison for a
place in his cabinet, was at the Fifth
Avenue hotel, New York, day or two
ago and in answer to inquiries concern
ing the political situation generally in
the south and the race question, which
is the leading one in that question just
now, in particular, expressed himself
quite freely and advanced some ideas
that are worthy of consideration. The
ex-governor occupies a rather unique
position, as will be seen in the following,
which adds interest if not value to his
suggestions.
1.-The prominent southern Republican
whose name has not been mentioned for
a seat in General Harrison's cabinet is in
hard luck" he said. Il have no means
of knowing whether I am to be thus
honored or not, for no communication
has passed between the president-elect
and myself upon the subject, nor have
been invited to call upon him at Indian
apolis. Yes, l am Republican, and
have been ever since the war, but l am
not politician. | never was candi-
date for a political Office but once, and
never held but one political office, and
that seemed to be forced upon me by
business and several necessities. 1t was
Just after the enactment of the recon-
struction laws, and / was on a visit to
the north for the purpose of raising
money to complete a railroad from At
lanta to Macon. All my friends said to
me that they would lend me money, but
not under existing political conditions in
Georgia. [ was advised to go back
to Georgia and urge our people
to accept the reconstruction plan,
and send representatives to congress and
establish a civil government. There
must be laws and courts and executive
they said, or we can not lend
our money. They were right, of course,
and our people saw it, and | was elected
governor OF Georgia on that question.
While | am not politician am bust
ness man, and have some ideas as to
what congress, if there should be Re-
publican majority or not, ought and
ought not to do with regard to the south.
L NC W oCC dlStOSlliOH
on the part of the Republicans to arouse
any Of the old animosities or to do any
thing to solidify the whites, who are
ready to divide, and frequently do divide
upon all questions that do not involve
their supremacy in the local governments
of the south. The best policy General
Harrison could pursue would be one of
The right of the negro
to vote is not questioned or denied from
the Potomac to the Rio Grande, nor his
right to hold office, and this is proved by
his frequent admittance to office from
iauitOr to policeman in such strong
cities as New Orleans, Mo-
bile and Charleston. The political feel
ing between the whites and blacks is not
strained. In our state and municipal
elections there is almost always full
vote, and there is, as natural, division
Of colored voters in such elections, as
there is of whites For instance, we
have just had our municipal election in
Atlanta. The intelligent, responsible
tax paying whites put up a ticket which
was supported by the cOlored people of
the same description and elected. The
die. drunken. worthless blacks voted
or the opposition ticket.
The south has this question to settle |
or itself, and it is making progress in |
is settlement. The politician who ad- |
7ocates harsh measures toward the |
south 70 protect the franchises of the |
,olored voter is not his friend. He is a |
iisturbeT, and the Republicans of the |
,outh-those who have been Republi- |
ans from conviction and not for spoil5 |
would resent this interference. |
sympathize fully with the spirit |
If anIagonism in the north |
o the continued practice of |
coming from southern dis
riots with the certificate of the governor
,ut with only a meager and unrepresen
alive vote behind them. Either there |
hould be a vote somewhere near the |
alto, or there shoulp be decreased rep
in congress. | believe a
proper remedy would be applied to the
TESS should SO amend Its rules as to
,rovide that, besides the governors Ger
ificate of election. there should also be
certificate showing the total vote cast
or congressman at their election and
IN any case the number did not appear
o be certain proper percentage of the
Otal population, the clerk of the house
hould not enter the names of those can
idateS upon the roll, but their cases
hould be set aside for the subsequent
consideration of congress. The reason
7hy the vote is small is because there is
sually but one candidate, and where
here is no issue and but one candidate
ot the blacks alone, but many of the
whites also refrain from voting.
1T IS HUAiILIATNG.