Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1890-09-24
Captain G.. W. 2. Black, of Jefferson, De
nomnces the Lodge Btu and Pays HIS
Respects 10 Reed--d Ringing Dec
Iaration of Honest Sentiment.
Special TsIegram q Tie Register.

Slowly and surely the iniquities OF the IN
famous force bill, the Mckinley tariff mon
strosity, and the outrageous course OF the
Republican majority in Congress are swell
ing the tide of honest and decent public SEN
timent into a flood that will be turned with
mighty force against the perpetrators oil
these outrages. In this home of pure De-
mocracy, and only few miles removed from
the National Capital, it is natural that pop
ular disgust and anger at the recent DIS
plays of partisan malignity should be more
apparent; and in the county of Jefferson at
least. however it may be in other sections
of West Virginia, that disgust is not only
felt by conservative business classes of the
Republican party, but even by men who
have been active as party leaders, and have
been honored in party councils. No man
stands higher as Republican than Cap
tain G. w. Z. Black, of this place Captain
Black is Union veteran who followed the
flag during four years of the war. He is a
member of the Republican Congressional
Committee, and was chairman Of the Repub-
lican Congressional Convention at Piedmont
that recently nominated that grizzled old
follower of the Hon. Stephen B. Elkins,
Mr. George F. Harmon, of Grant. There
have been many quiet rumors, that Captain
Blacks support of the recent Republican
legislation was not of very enthusiastic
character, and Register representative de-
termined to sift them to the bottom. Cap
tain Black was not only willing but eager
to add his voice to the general condemna-
ton of the measures passed by his own party,
and he talked with force and earnestness.
He said
81 regard the election bill that recently
passed the House and now pending in the
Senate as impolitic, unwise and dangerous
to the peace and safety of the country The
race question in the South is one Of the most
difficult that ever confronted any people. |
take it that no patriotic American wants to
see any State in the Union Africanized.
Safety to the property, homes and civiliza-
ton of the South depends on The supremacy
of the Anglo-Saxon race. The great race
problem is now being worked out slowly but
surely. The Southern people have shown
themselves possessed of moderation and
magnanimity in the highest degree; and
the application of such measure as the
Lodge BILL will tear open all sores, and re-
vive sectional hate. 1t is an effort to de-
grade the South, and in some measure re-
duce her to the condition of a subject colo
ny"
"What measure if any would you sug-
gest?"
The only solution of the race problem in
the South is to trust in the intelligence and
patriotism of the Southern people; and the
correcting influence of the new energy and
enterprise that have gone into that section.
The South has a great era of prosperity be-
fore it, 1t would be a National calamity
it would be National crime to take any
step that might mar her brilliant prospects.
The people of the South must eventually di-
vide on economic questions, and the colored
people are already becoming better educat-
ed. These influences will in few years
settle peacefully and quietly what all the
Lodge bills ever framed and bayonets ever
forged can never settle"
'What effect do you think the Force bill
and kindred legislation will have on West
Virginia politics."
$50 far as our immediate section is con-
cerned, l regret to say that | am convinced
the result will be disastrous to our party. !
know that it has injured the Republicans
and solidfed and encouraged the Democrats
of Jefferson county. The negro vote is prac-
tically solid for the Republicans, and it is
cast without intimidation. There is no need
for the Force bill in our section or in any
other parts of West Virginia, and we do not
want it"
"What is your opinion of Speaker Reed
and his cOurse?'
"In my judgment Mr.. Reed is not broad
enough of mind or safe enough in leadership
to guide the destinies of the Republican
party or to control legislation am not
one of those who rejoice that the House has
ceased to be deliberatiye body. Under the
leadership of Mr. Reed, the functions of the
great representative body have been virtu-
ally centered in three men, who constitute
the majority of the Committee on Rules.
They meet and determined from day to day
what shall be considered, and who shall
speak in the House. Debate is stihed and
the rights of the members to discuss public
measures are trampled on. The rights of
the minority in our legislative halls should
be scrupulOusly guarded if we hope to pre-
serve free institutions, and this, DO not
think, has been done There may be no
danger in having tyrant if he is anna
bic, just and conservative, but Mr. Reeds
tyranny over the House has shown the
absence ofjust those qualities Reed is pre-
JUDGED against the South He does not be-
lieye in or understand our people The Re-
publican party cannot afford to allow him
to draw it further into purely sectional and
partisan measures. If it does a large por-
ton of the country will be alieuated"
Chow do you regard Mr.. Blaine and his