The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-09-15
south caroIina,s Problem.

The chief purpose Of the constitutional
convention Of South Carolina is TO forever
put il out Of the power Of the negroes to
either get control Of the state or 70 have
any influence Of consequence in public
affairs. A number Of plans have been sug-
gested TO accomplish that end, 20 all OF
which there are objections. The plan
which provides for educational and prop
erty qualifications is the fairest proposed.
but fl would disfranchise a great many
white voters. II is not desired that any
white voters shall be disqualified. Hence
the problem that is to be solved Is all
the more difficult.
In Mississippi the educational qualifica-
ton keeps down the negro vote. 1t Is
true that a good many white citizens are
disfranchised also, but IL is thought 70
be better that white citizens should be
deprived Of their right to vote than THAI
there should be clear discrimination
against the negroes. It is expected that
the initerate whites, rather than lose the
elective franchise, will prepare themselves
to meet the requirements of the consti-
years about all of them will be qualified
TO vote. while most of the illiterate blacks.
not having the same ambition. will con-
tinue to be disfranchised.
One of the propositions submitted to the
South Carolina convention is that no ne
gro shall be allowed to hold any public
office. It is claimed that this proposition
does not come into conflict with the fed
eral constitution. Assuming it does not,
would it be wise to adopt it? II is certain
that the negroes would regard it with so
much disfavor that they would be in n
condition OF perpetual unrest or else the
most self-respecting Of them would aban-
don the state leaving behind them only
those who are practically worthless for
any purpose
1t seems necessary that whatever plan
the convention adopts no room should be
left for the negroes to say that they
have been Disseminated against-,hat
there is one law for the white people and
another for the negroes. They could not
justly complain of property and education
al qualifications, because such qualifica-
tions would apply to the whites as well as
the negroes, and the DISTINGUISHED negroes
would have the same chance as the dis
franchised whites TO acquire the quail
fications necessary TO vote. 1t is not prob
able that they would avail themselves OF
the chance TO the same extent the whites
would, and, hence, would remain in the
minority. for many years, If not for all
time. They would not, however, have a
grievance. and II the convention is wise
it viii give them no ground for griev-
anee.
There maybe those in the convention
who hold that it is a matter of no conse-
quence whether the blacks are dissatls-
fed or not. 1t is a matter of consequence.
The negro population is about one-fifth
greater than the white population. The
negroes are the laborers and servants
and many of them possess superior intel
ligence. Slowly but surely, their material.
moral and intellectual condition is i'm
proving. The progress of the state could
not be great If the greater part of her
population were nursing a grievance
against the lesser part.
The problem which the convention Is
proposing to solve is a difficult one, but
the convention would make a mistake If
it should solve il in a way that would
convince the negroes that they are the
victims of injustice.