The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-31

For several years there have been Tsnta-
tive Efforts On ehe part Of me Republican
rax-~oapers OF ne ScrEn 70 secure stFen-
tson 20 the sf1tgstsce OF continuing the
pres@-t representation system IN the
sos..a. These efforts have been confined
20 the ssfb3ect OF delegates 70 rhe national
corvensson. but the Dallas News. t2as Lead
s-x rapsr OF Texas, and oEas Ct the most
Industrial and Independent Democratic
papers IN the S011h, goes farther taan
tins. II proposes 20 reduce the represen-
tatson IN congress an accordance with the
Fourteenta amendment 20 the constitu-
SIon, which Is. IN part. as follows:
but when <fae right 20 vote at any cleo
Ton for me choice OF electors Tor presi-
dent and vice president or the United
States, representatives n congress, the
executive and judicial officers OF a state.
or the rnsrnoers OF the legislature thereof.
Is denied TO any Of the male citizens OF
Ss1ch state. being u years Of age and oa-
gems or the United States. or IN any way
abridged. except for participation IN re-
beIlion or other crime, the basis OF repre-
sentation therein shall be reduced sn the
citizens saan bear 10 the ashole number OF
male citizens q years OF age IN sacn
state"
This provision was the fret effort Of con-
grezs 10 prevent discrimination against
the colored race and % encourage the
Southern states to extend the right Of
Suffrage 10 them. It failed Of It's purpose.
10 =
teenth amendment. which provides that
tie right Of citizens to vote shall not be
denied or abridged by any state on ac-
count OF race, color or previous condition
OF servitude."
The News says trait in Mississippi only
ss.SS1 votes were cast for congressman
although there are probably 10000 voters;
and in South Carolina only e3.sis votes
were cast, although the number Of voters
there must be about 2s5 900 The Ffftsenth
amencment is eyaded In those states by
what are called educational qualiHca-
tons, watch perhaps should not be OBJ
jected 20. but the Fourteenth amendment
rs 30 Just in its purpose that It should be
enforced by the legislation authorized by
the constitution.
The growth OF a more liberal spirit IN
the South may be depended upon 10 d.s-
countenanee the frauds which are so roto-
rlous, and So avoid the necessity of a
force bll, which would always be OBJ
nox.ous. -Four states hitherto belonging
20 the Democratic column have now
Joined the Republican ranks, and others
| perhaps might be found there II the bal
| lots had not been tampered with and the
returns ''coct ored." The race prejudice
| Is too strong. however. in those states
| where the colored peOpIe have been de-
| MED the opportunity for education and
| advancement 10 AFFORD much hope OF an
| early admission OF that people TO equal
| risgats with thu whites. Meantime, the
Southern states are enjoying "a represen-
tatson In the Republican national conven-
| ton and An congress entirely out OF pro
| portion 20 she voting population as COM
| pared with the Northern seates.
Now that Democrats paper. published
| IN a Democrats state. has admitted the
inequality and tho evils 1t encourages,
other enlightened pubic leaders may be
| found TO join those OF the North VINO ask
only justice FOR the rest OF the nation.