New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-06
THE CAMPAIGN IN ALABAMA.
EFFECT OF THE NEW ELECTION LAw-URGING
NEGROES NOT TO REGISTER.

EFFECT OF THE NEW ELECTION LAw-URGING
NEGROES NOT TO REGISTER.
Washington May (SpeciaD.-In order to under.
stand the political situation in Alabama and tC
form an intelligent conjecture as TO the possible
Ties OF the approaching campaign in that State I,
Is necessary TO bear in mind that a new Election
law has been enacted and that all the conditions
are novel, The party leaders can no longer operate
upon the old line The Democratic machine. II #
win at all this year must win either by an honest
majority or by entirely new expedients Of fraud
Inc Alabama Legislature Immediately after the
conclusion Of the campaign of 1892 and after the
inauguration Of the present Governor enacted wha,
is known as the Sayre Election law. This law in
us general effect is modification of the Australian
ballot But the Sayre law contains one provision
which. now that 1t has come to be understood.
Strikes terror and CONSERVATION 10 the souls OF
'ne veteran manipuators. 1t provides in fact that
election returns from no county shall record a
number OF votes greater than the registration list
VI mat county warrants. and then It goes with
almost preternatural ingenuity TO guard against
fraudulent registration lists. Under the law the
registration takes place in May. AS soon as this is
completed the lists required to be displayed in
tne courthouse, where. during June and July they
are subject to inspection and to whatever investiga-
uon interested parties may fit to prosecute. a
iase registration makes the offenders subject to
prosecution for perjury and forgery. and the mere
S-NN"Se On tne HSt or the name or voter VINO did
not actually register is held TO be prma-facie evil
oence Of guilt
VOW 1t is a notorious fact that in what Is known
as The BLACK Belt OF Alabama-that is TO say
~ me middle counties where the heavy negro popu-
auon Is found-the coiored men have not been in
He haoit OF registering. They have been perfectly
aware that their votes counted against them
serves and they naturally refraned from participa-
rro1 ~ farce OF which they were the victims
1, ".er the Old election laws. this made no difference
thu me practical operations Of the machine because
., e democratic officials could concoct registra-
more t co, as easily as they could poll list. II
oie Tor the occasion.
now. however. under this later dispensation the
Ssenent OF wholesale fraud becomes a work Of
..oim1idable difficulty. 1t was easy enough in the
s s prevent them from voting. 1t was easier sill
n s ,mard' wnen the negroes gave up the attempt
Soo oi me polls and TO vote for them behind closed
~ BUY now that II has become Indispensable
~. '4ke part in his own spoliatlon by committing
thin vert ac' OF registration. 1t is very difficult
The colored leaders are shrewd enough 10 see
"a 4s ana have already ISSUED circular appealing
sns Democratic revolt win Of course aid to that
Rsi,,n since every name registered in the BLACK
fSn means vote counted against them. And
mus mus the machine IL left with no hope OF success
or N persuadlng their negro Victims to aid them
Ti'eeiy novel expedient OF rascality.
cesna s never been seriously doubted that the Sc.
nswsunoer their opponents. Both OF the prominent
ira, sGHapsrs IN birmingham admitted two years ago
Ths hoIo mad received more white votes than Tones
the ~ II the negroes refrain from registering and
cour,snsh ne be left with no material for fraudulent
device Al ia factonsboth ready to resort every
and ho, hn the counties they respectively control
fraud '''"i VIII" every agency or force and
s such are the conditions now existing in Alabama
IN wuerstood by careful and conservative observers
pre~ esshingon. They must be borne H. mind 10 APP
IN ,ba, one me meaning OF the campaign just opening