The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1890-03-08

NO. "a
Whatever remedy is adopted must
stand the test of fairness and jnstice
in the hight of the exigencies of our
situation. Unquestionably we are
face to face with TIE suffrage question,
and we must deal with it or shirk 1t.
"The white people OF Mississippi
are limited to choice of these four
policies: One is to attempt the in
definite prolongation of the present
status quo, which involves negro rep
resentation In the national govern
ment coupled with the practical elimi-
nation of the negro vote by present
methods; or political treaty or COM
promise in politics with the negroes !:
or a surrender to the negro vote: or
some legal and constitutional reduction
and re-adjustment of the suffrage. In
the estimation of the best thought of
the state the present situation cannot
remain as permanent condition. The
whole case comes to the proposition of
using in an open, fearless way the legal
constitutional powers ofthe State.
"The real and substantial interests
of the State indicate that this power
should be extended as far as public
sentiment will permit. A fair and
candid discussion of our situation will
do good. This question has been
eloaked so long that 1t will be whole
some to bring it into the light of pub
lie discussion.
"A reduction of suffrage upon some
conditions would involve decrease
of power in congress and the electoral
college, but the improvement in local
government would be ample compen-
sensation for this loss. A constitu-
uonal convention, dealing with this
question In a statesman-like way, will
surely improve the condition of affairs
in the State.
Much has been said in this part of
the State OF the danger of extreme
and i'll considered course which will
be urged by the "hill county delegates
In the Constitutional Convention. The
following is an extract from an inter-
view with Hon. j. ii. Bceman, repre-
sentative of Scott county, and Chair
man of the State Executive Committee
of the Farmers Alliance. His words
do not encourage the fear entertained.
Indeed nothing has been written or
spoken, that rises more truly to the
measure of the occasion.
The central thought in all this bust.
ness should be to give to the people a
better government; one OF security to
all classes and races one by which all
violence and injustice and fraud may
be eliminated.
so Intimately are our people con.
nected, and so dependent are they upon
each other for success aud prosperity
though pursuing different avocation.
and professions, that the mere mention
OF class or pursuit as an element oI
eligibility or fitness for labor in this
great work is distasteful, and should
10 employ the capltal anu onu.gava, .
s. bring into requisition the talents
A. our entire people; and then | wo
o have them go into that assembly .
m deposit upon the altar of the conn
D. good every preference and prejud
10 and at once enter upon gener
rivalry as to hew best the welfare
Or the entire people could be subserve
d. AS to what may be the provisi
ID of the Constitution which that conv
IS, tion may frame, no one could W
)f certainty predict. Concessions n
& have to be made, and they should
n made cheerfully if il be found that
s. public interest demand It. An g
tive judiciary seems to be deman
Id by the people, but even this should
ID yielded If after consultation of
rs members of the convention Il be fol
re that 1t would be fraught with dan
$. or peril to the State at large. II Sc,
d. that our judicial system should be
II, terially changed, made more eflici
he and probably this could be done W
n out an increase of expenditures,
possibly with less cost than at pres
al employed.
IN Restriction of suffrage, IL is belle,
at can be effected without doing inius
IN to any of our people, while the puI
It, interest would unquestionably be b
Dr. Gifted. The making of a tax rec,
a. the only passport to the ballot-b
10 and the abolition of the present re,
Of tration system would be acceptable
Ip the people.
To insist upon All educational
le property qualification as prerequi
al to the exercise of the elective francl
m would find no favor with large
jority of the people, and would th,
,r fore be unwise. The legislative
b. partment needs charge, Too mi
D. time, attention and expense attach
y local and corporate matters, VIII
Is might and could be as safely done
Al the courts or some other constitu
y authority, and done much less exp
l. sively. The present practice of allc
% ing the Legislature to elect variO
IS State officers is one fraught with
% noyance to the members, and mi,
II be made to seriously interfere W
/ wise and judicious legislation and n
+ terially affect it; and should thereft
be prohibited by constitutional pro
Q sion. Probably constitutional lii
i should be fixed to the tenure of c
d tain State and county officers, espe
b ally those who receive and disbul
s public funds.
a 1t is deemed unnecessary to indul
D in speculations as to what new CO
stitution should be, or what provisio
1t should contain. | am entirely wi
! ing to trust this matter to the peop
speaking through their accredit
: agents.
r
! DISTINGUISHED Men.
/ Governor John Ireland, OF TezI
Simon p. Aughes, of Arkansas S.
McEnery. Governor of Louisiana; K.
Turner. Judge u, y. Court: Ex-GC