Mississippi leader. (Jackson, Miss.) 1892-1895, 1894-12-18
THE SUFFRAGE QUESTION.
A Rankin Popuiist A grees with the Lead
err and Protests Against the Action of
His Party Leaders for Raising Need
less and Dangerous Issue. ,s,-,- -.
self in the Attitude of Putting Pre-
mium on Ignorance $1,000

self in the Attitude of Putting Pre-
MUM on Ignorance. $4,000
KING, MISS, Dec. Is, 81.
Editor of the Mississippi Leader,
1t is stated in the public prints that
three of the Populist candidates for
Congress in this State will contest for
the seats of their Democratic oppo-
nents, and that they will base their
claims on the unconstitutionality of
the States election laws.
AS have voted the Populist ticket
ever since the party was organized, L
suppose have the right to criticise
the acts of its leaders.
The law as it now stands, as all
know, practically eliminates the negro
together with the ignorant and unset
tied white element from politics, and
places the elective franchise in the
hands of the intelligent population of
the State. And it does seem that those
who are the reputed leaders of a re-
form party have started at the wrong
end to accomplish anything. Any par
ty that panders to the ignorant and vi
cious of either race, no matter how
powerful it may be, will be weakened
by it. And party that cannot stand
up and prove the necessity of its ex-
istence to the progressive, intelligent,
and thoughtful, discounts its own pre-
tensions at the start.
had thought that the present cleo
ton laws cleared up the way and made
it possible to get the reforms that the
Populists are seeking after.
Then why try to force back the old
conditions that surrounded us few
years ago? Could reform party have
made any Roadway then? Do they
want a free and unlimited franchise,
so as to enter in competition with the
Democrats for the ignorant and float
ing vote If so think they will get
scooped worse than ever, for the Dem
ocrats have had years of experience in
stealing and stuffing the ballot box.
For examples, look at Alabama and
Georgia. In the former State it is said
that the governor was elected by the
purchasable negro vote.
I don't believe that these contests
will be Endorsed by the rank and file
of the Populist party, and it is to be
hoped that the honorable gentlemen
making them will yet reconsider the
matter and withdraw them.
1t IS ruinous mistake and if per-
sisted in will give the party setback
that it cannot recover from. 1t seems
to me that it would be far better to
have relief indefinitely delayed, than
to have our election laws declared void
by the Federal government.
81. The growth of the party ought to be
most satisfactory to our leaders. The
signs of the times point to decay and
disintegration of the dominant party
in the South, and as the Dutchman
said, "If you will only gif dem vone
noder schaanch to scend foine lot of
| tam schaackasses to Washington" the
thing will be accomplished without any
outside effort on the part of others.
Instead of making futile effort to
overthrow the election laws, let the re-
form forces-the Prohibitionists and
Populists-join ranks and sweep John
Sherman, Grover Cleveland, Tom Reed,
and Carlisle hybredism off of the 'Unit-
ed States map"
Respectfully yours,
E. p. HARPER.