New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-30
POLITICS IN THE SOUTH.
SOME BOURBON METHODS PRACTIsED IN
ALABAMA

BIRMINGHAM Ala sept. 90 CSpecaD.-There IS
probably no closer observer OF political methods in
the South than Lewis f. Parsons. ir United States
District Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama
Mr.. Parsons a Confederate soldier, but since the
war he has been Republican, and has taken high
rank a lawyer and politician. Speaking OF pollti-
cal methods in the South Mr.. Parsons said the other
day There must be change and It is coming soon. If
the people Of the South. mean the Democrats, do
not change their pol teal methods of their accord.
they will be compelled TO change them. This thing
OF counting out the votes of the negroes while we
base our representation in Congress and in conven-
tlons these votes cannot 60 forever. 1t has
been going too long Not only are the
people Of the North and the East and the West
getting tired Of it, but 1t is causing local dssas-
faction it is bringing about discussions in the ranks
of the party which Is responsible for the system,
and in this find to hope that it will very soon
be broken up forever. The system is wrong It is
wrong from any point of view; it breeds moral and
political corruption and 1t cannot survive
The Democrats plead in excuse Of these ballot-box
frauds that il is seltpescrvation, that they must
count out the negro votes submit to negro rule.
Have they over in kindness asked the negro to vote
with them? Not They would rather count out his
vote than TO have him vote with them. They can
not plead sepreservatlon in defence of this corrupt
political system, because they overdo the thing.
They content with counting out enough HeRIo
votes TO give them a majority; but they count In
Democratic votes In order to increase their repre-
senation in Congress- in the State Legislatures and
In party conventions.
Give me money enough and can carry Alabama
for the Republican ticket at every election, and will
do It simply by paying to be honest. VIII say
10 the judges Of the elections we are going to vote
50 many Republican tickets at this box and If you
count that many, l will pay you so much would
nav them to count the votes they are voted, pay
them to act honestly for once and we would carry
tho state by a big majority. We do not have a
Republican form of government In the south Mhere
a small minority rules, it Is not republican govern
ment will cite one instance OF tne Poi' nrIan
about counting more votes than are polied, IN orier
IN Increase the represen atOn OF STATE OF county
Dallas County, Alabama has 1,6OO Demcrauc voters
and about 1000 Republican voters. Ihey count IN u,
q 600 Democratic votes at every election Inc result
Ie these / 500 Democrats I'm Dallas County send as
many delegates TO a state Convention as 9OoO Demo-
cr,fS I'm other counties. Dallas county senus, Iour
REPRESENTATIVES. and Senator 10 the stare Legs.
iot;,., They are all Democrats In the eastern part
~ the state i'm the White counties, four cOuntes WIN
total Democratic vote Of 10000 SEM one s
four Representatives to the state legslauc, a. ~
ieocrts I'm the counties where the negroes are Ill me
I,oIo.itv not only legiSatc tho majority OF mo
recnIe in their own counties but they actuaiy cor,
rn the legislation of the State ana cohtrOl tcr party
I'm state conventions. -. 800, 20 Con Sress
bosod on This silent majority of voters IN tle ooul
whose votes are never counted Earn vi tn f,crn
grr,snen has the same power as SasSn tatiye
aS' yaoritv 81 the people but representative Oh
tc p,in6rity This IS not Oply an uJusuSc w 30
maturity here but it IS an inlusuce % tie pP3b ot
i,"!otIo country / am glad 70 be aDle 10 say lnat
~ ,ie ~ tho South are at last beginning 10 NAM
,ne ~ he dangers OF such political METHODS LhsS
must be abandoned and IT cannot 10 doho 'oo 'oo"