The Greenville times., 1890-05-03
AN UXUOMF0RTABLE PICTURE.
What 60 Years or Grace Equality" Has
Effected.

Correspondence Boston Herald.l
The suffrage in Bermuda is confined
to those who hold real property of 500
in value. OF course there is no dis
tinction of color in it. The whites are
outnumbered by the blacks, in actual
population, about two to one, but their
property qualification for voters gives
the whites very much the advantage
in eleehng officers. The Governor
and Council (the latter body of seven
members are appointed by the Crown.
The Legislative Assembly, which con-
sists of thirty-six members, is elected
by the qualified voters of the island for
six years. The black men are ambi-
lious to have share in this body.
They chose one member several years
since. In the late election they struck
out for several more. They succeeded
in choosing one more member, making g
their present number two; but the
whites charge that they showed an
utter lack of good faith in their
methods. They made votes by buying
land and then mortgaging it, SO that,
though nominally possessed of $50 in
value, these voters really hold little
more than S.. This is a natural poll
ticians dodge and very far from being
a henious otiense in politicians eyes.
The whites are preparing to pass law
which will make it Impossible to be
done again.
But there is nothing in this to ac-
count for the bitter race animosities
which | heard everywhere expressed.
The whites really believe that the col
ored race will not live with them peace
fully without the restraint of force.
The member of Parliament to whom |
have referred above, a highly intelli-
gent man, large property owner, and
one who has till recently been account
ed friend to the blacks, sand to me
seriously: ave should not be safe for
day on this island were it not for the
presence of the troops" "You do not
mean that the colored men would rise
and massacre your said |. II do
mean just that" he retorted; "they
hate with undying hatred This
seemed almost absurd in our day, but
found the opinion confirmed by all
with whom conversed. A proof OF
1t is to be found in the fact that white
men are forming rifle clubs and that
target practice is the fashionable sport
among the women. The white people
will tell you without reservation that
they do not feel safe against the posi-
BILE withdrawal of troops from the
island or the weakening oftheir garrl-
son.
The white Bermudans declare that
they will not let the negroes obtain
any power in legislation in any event
"When that time comes, If II evel
does,' said the member of Parliament
whom | have quoted, eve shall peti
tion the mother country to take ava,
the right Of self-government from us
aud IL will readily see the need of sucl
action" "But how about the eil'ectI
of education p asked of him. "Thol
do not help the case a particle sale
he. "The negro is made more danger
Gus rather than improved in his rela
tions to us by education. We canno
get along with him because he hate
us, and he does not keep faith with us
Education does not affect his attitude
on either of these points, but make
him more dangerous adversary
OF course, set this down only a
an observer. 1t was a novel state o
affairs to me, aud | think it will prov,
so to many Of your readers. 1t is as
, sign of the times on an interesting topi
, that have venturod 10 chronicle ii.