The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-04

40 tUe momU0IH VI ZIG OrkbulxatlOu OF
which he b the head-the Knights OF
Lkbor-Nr. Terence v. Powderiy took occa-
sion. . few days ago. to give bis opinions
and advice in connection with the bill now
pending In the United States Senate for the
regulation Of federal elections. In respect
70 that bill he ID pleased to adopt the par
lance Of the Democratic party. and calls 1t
the "force bill" He advises the laboring
msn Of this country to make their voices
hard and 10 exert their influence against
passage Of that bill.
,wderly IL master OF strong English,
bis reasons are vigorously stated. He
Ks that any body of men who are en-
to exercise the right Of suffrage. but
not the courage and determination to
ass their lives in their hands and main
tain that right, are not entitled to any
sympathy. He thinks that educational
measures are preferable to what he is
pleased TO call the force bill, or to similar
measures for governmental protection to
the exercise Of the suffrage. He favors an
educational test for the exercise of that
right. He thinks il men were given to un-
dcrstand that they could not vote unless
alba to read and write. they would make
haste to acquire those accomplishments,
and that with these requirements would
come the disposition and capacity to de-
fend their rights.
This sounds well enough. But are these
remarks like those of Dickens oracle, Jack
nnuehv9 Will xhos~ vv;sdc,v, H. -, . L. 49,.
fest by practical application OF them
Take South Carolina for instance. By the
census Of 1880 that state had population
of e95. 400, Of whom 6O4. 275 were negroes
and SCI .22A whites; CO., 456 iIliterates and
S2S.oA3 able to read and write. OF the IL
lterates 272.7o6 were whites and se4,7
colored.
On the basis Of the above aggregate of
g95, 400 the state was allowed members in
the lower house OF congress and votes in
the electoral college; ~ representatives on
the basis OF colored population to Ok on
The basis of white; 81 electors on a col.
ored to 81 on white basis. This emu.
meration and apportionment. be II under.
stood. was In pursuance OF the federal con-
stitution and laws. II superseded a system
which gave South Carolina representation
for but three-ffths of her colored popula-
ton because they were slaves. The new
superintendent was based on the fact that
they had become free and citizens. The
apportionment of representation for the
colored population was distinctly condi-
toned, BY formal amendment to the fed.
erol constitution. not on educational quail
licafions, but on the acknowledgements Of
the rirht of their adult males to vote.
Rxtimating voter for each of popula-
zion. the census OF 1880 would indicate
,so.s55 colored and s.245 white voters in
South Carolina. The increase of popula.
ton il that state between 1850 and 1855
cannot Be accurately stated. but undoubt-
ealv there was an increase. In the presi-
dental election Of the latter year. however,
Mr.. Cleveland received 65,s25 aud General
Harrison 1876 votes In that state, a total
~ "a 5sl. or Just i.si6 more than the above
Estimate of what should have been the
mite vote In 1850. Making very moderate
allowances for increase during the s years
fror 1850 to 1855 the full lso,s5 negro
votes OF the census year were unrepresented
in the ballot boxes Of isSS
It not possible 10 misconstrue the i'm
plicaticn OF these figures They are elo-
ouent and unanswerable. Illiteracy had
nothing TO do with II. for the voting por.