The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1895-05-25
JUDGE GOFF's DECIsIeS.

the decision of U. S. Circuit Judge
uon-annulling and enjelning the
south Carolina restrictive registration
iaws-powerfully illustrates the alb
sorption Of the people of Mississippi,
oy the rage OF faction. Rendered
two years since, this decision, which
II affirmed by the Federal Supreme
Court uproots or fatally eripples
MississlppPs boasted suffrage article,
would have been profoundly impress
sive. But now 1t is passing by well
nigh unnoticed.
After recounting the provisions
Of the law and the acts bearing there
on, together with the facts of the case,
Judge Gotf traced the negro's career
from the time of slavery. He gave the
history Of the passage of the Four
teenth aud Fifteenth Amendments,
and declared that the negro's political
rights could not be abridged. The
registration law in this respect was
unconstitutional. "The statement this
complainant makes is appalling" said
Judge Goff, "snd the result close on
the border that divides outrage from
crime.n
The Constitutional Convention act
he stated cured no defects. The State
frankly admitted that the object was to
disfranchlse as many negroes as posi-
BILE. Judge Goff held that the laws
were unconstitutional in tote; that the
court had Jurisdiction, &c; that cer-
tidcates of registration could not be
demanded, aud that no official of any
State was above the law.
The indifference of the people OF this
and other Southern States to Judge
Goff's sweeping decision, does not
fully set forth the extent to which
faction may warp mems lives. To CON-
prehend this In its perfect develop
ment, one must understand that the
suit was brought BY an extreme Dem
ocrat. Aud that its real SPONSOR is one
who has as much as any living man,
profited by the now arrested legisls-
tive restrictions upon negro suffrage ;
ex-senator M. @. Butler. That dis
tinguished but recently disappointed
vote seeker thus approves aud apollo
gizes for the said decision and, most
wonderful to relate, constitutes HIM
SELF spokesman for the negroes;
Judge Gotf decided case brought
before him In due form, aud think
did It correctly and, of course, con-
scientiously. He passed upon ques'
tlon, the constitutionality Of the regis
tratlon aud election law, which was
raised In a proper case before the
State Supreme court last December,
and which that court has failed to do.
eide up to this time. Dr. Sampson
Pope, the mover IN that cause, falling
to get decision in the State Court,
sought redress In the United States
Court before Judge Gof. That's all
there is in IT,
"The negroes" he added, "do not
want to control affairs. They are sat
isfied from the experience In the re-
construction period that they are not
yet prepared 10 take charge Of the
government. But they do want the
option of voting for white men In
whom they have confidence, aud these
men are among the conservatives. II
is not negro supremacy that worries
these gentlemen half 80 much as 1t Is
the possible downfall Of ring supre-
macy
The case has been appealed to the
Court of Appeals. From there II will
we presume be carried to the Supreme
Court. We have no idea that 1t will
be affirmed by that highest tribunal
of the land. Should il be however, in
the judgment of the TIMES the event
is like TO prove of woighty import to
the people of Mississippi.