Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-04-19

such question.
PHILADELPHIA, April 18.-The Phila-
delphia Inquirer will publish tomorrow in
terviews which it has collected with prom
inent men and politicians of the Southern
States. Only men well known in their Sec
tions were applied to, and to these the fol-
lowing questions were put:
l. What is the Southern question?
2 How should it be met to produce the
greatest good to the South
The idea of the Inquirer was to obtain the
views of Southern leaders upon a subject
which is becoming very prominent. The
responses nearly all voiced the same senti-
ment, that the race problem is the great one
to be solved, and that the South should be
allowed to manage her own affairs without
interference. Following is a brief summary
of some of the opinions.
THE RACE PROBLEM.
Governor Richardson, of South Carolina,
says that the Southern question is the race
problem. He continued:
Shall the African or Caucasian predominatef
The solution is In the strict avoidance by the
general Government of any distinctively South
ern policy and in leaving to the States them
selves the management Of their own domestic
affairs.
Governor Fitzhugh Lee, of Virginia, says
two distinct races are wrestling with each
other for political supremacy. The question
is therefore, whether the Southern States
and cities shall be retained in the hands of
the white men, or whether there shall be a
war of races. The prosperity of both races,
and that of the States in which they live,
demands that each State should be allowed
to control its own internal affairs without
Federal interference, and to exercise those
rights reserved with the great care to the
who framed the Constitution in the city Of
Philadelphia over 100 years ago.
NO SUCH QUESTION.
Governor Buckner, of Kentucky, pro-
tests that there is no such question. He
saws:
The so-called Southern question seems to be
hot-bed plant of n Northern growth-an exotic
which will not flourish in Southern soil. such
unpatriotic sectional: agitations, whether
originating in the North or South, should not
be encouraged by the people of any section.
and that injury resulting from such agitations
to the whole country would be reduced to
minimum if the people of each State would
continue to attend to their own affairs In ac-
tordance with their local constitutions and
unite in supporting the General Government
IN its just exercise of all legitimate powers.
A. f. Russell, Superintendent of Public
instruction of Florida, says as the question
is discussed in Republican journals he is
led to suppose that some special legislation
is to be inflicted on the South, but the South
has no fear. If the question means how can
the Southern people be made Republican,
it cannot be done. The truth is, the So
called Southern question can best and
wisest be answered by letting the South
alone in its enjoyment of her constitutional
rights.
ALL IN GOOD TIME.
Oscar b. Cooper, Superintendent of Pub
lie instruction of Texas, says the difficulties
of the adjustment of the Citations of the two
races are being met and overcome by COM
mon sense.
T. M. Miller, Attorney General of Mis-
sissippi, says:
The contrast between the negro and white
governments have been SO decidedly in favor
Of the latter that the white people are deter
mined there shall be no return to the former.
Indeed, military despotism would be pre-
ferred. If our political dominion at home is at
all questionable in its simpleness of origin, let
it be remembered that we view government
here as a matter of business, not glory, and we
protest against interference because we know
thar our State affairs are managed in the in
terest Of all.
We say to the Republicans, take your new
States and keep control of the general Govern
ment if you choose; keep up a scheme of taxa
tion revolving to Justice and oppressive upon
the agricultural sections and we will submit
cheerfully but don't set ignorance and vice
to rule over the South. Lastly, when interest
and Judgment, instead of passion and preju-
dice, shall control the Southern negroes; when
there shall be freedom of opinion among them,
then the whole question will be solved, The
white people are solid because the negroes were
solid against them.
KEEP HANDS OFF,.
The State Treasurer of Arkansas, W. F.
Woodruff, thinks the question can be solved
by remitting to the States chiefly affected
all local subjects, the Supreme Court of the
United States being the fual arbiter.
George M. Adams, Secretary Of State of
Kentucky, says: 81 am one Of those who
believe in the right of the people to regu-
late their own affairs in their own way"
Solomon Palmer, Superintendent of Educa-
ton of Alabama, thinks the South will
work out the solution if left free to do so.
Lieutenant Governor MaldiE, of South
Carolina, says:
The Federal Government can help the South
by appointing to ofice men of character and
capacity. by dealing generously in the matter
of her internal improvements and by refund
ing to her people the cotton tax, so unjustly
collected from them. In other words say
let the South alone.