The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-06

and disguised with the systematic election
frauds which have become the rule In
the Southern states, and from the tone CT
the press there is some hope that reform
may be looked for. The Charleston News
and Courier. the leading Democratic news
paper OF South Carolina. has come 10 the
conclusion that II is about time 10 adopt
honest election methods In a recent issue
it says:
Fraud In elections came into use in this
state under carpet-5ag rule in reeonstrue-
ton times. and was afterward adopted BY
the white people as 8 substitute for force
In preventing the control Of the state by
thu negroes. OF course. negro rule was
not 70 be- permitted under any elFcunl-
stances. and fraud was easier and less OBJ
tectionable TO our Northern conquero-s
than force. But its use was nevertheless
great blunder. Although nrst used
against the negroes. IL demoraiized public
sentiment. and in course OF time was
used by white men against white men,
HinGslght Is always better than foresight,
and looking back We can see that II
would have been better 10 kill out the
negroes, or to have submitted 10 military
rule. than 10 have made fraud at cleo
lions respectable. Republican govern
ment is only safe on the condition Of fair
elections without them society IS neces-
sarily az the mercy OF the lowest classes"
The Memphis. Tenn. commercial-Ap-
peal does not hesitate to admit that fraud
OF a glazing character was committed in
that state. and that certificates OF election
have been Issued 10 men who are not en-
titled TO them.
The Galveston CTexasp News goes fur
Their It points out the small vote cast In
onstrates that the average vote cast in
each congressional district in those states
fell short Of 1900. while Ia Texas the
average vote in each congressional dis
trict was nearly $500. The News Is
Democratic newspaper. but II believes that
the showing made In Mississippi and South
Carolina Is a trayesty upon representative
government. The News goes so far as to
demand that the representation In con-
gress In those states be cut down TO cor
respond with the actual voting popula-
ton. and points out that the Fourteenth
stitution contains q provision designed
expressly to meet the condition of things
presented In South Carolina and Missis-
sippi. That provision Is as follows:
Whenever the right to vote al any cleo
ton for electors OF president and vice
president or for United States representa-
uves In congress, executive or judicial
officers. or the members or the legislature
thereof, is denied TO any Of the male In
habitRnts OF such state being y years
OF age and citizens Of the United States.
or IN any way abridged except for par
ticipation in rebellion or other crime the
basis Of representation therein shall be
reduced In the proportion which the num-
Der OF such male citizens shall bear 70 the
whole number of male citizens q years
OF age In such state
South Carolina and Mississippi have
each a new constitution designed for the
express purpose Of depriving the negro of
his vote. The provisions OF the South
Carolina constitution require as eondi-
lion precedent 70 registration as voters
the payment OF poll tax six months prior
20 election and further. the ability to
read any section OF the constitution sub
mitted 10 them by the registration officer.
or understand and explain II when read
10 them a further requirement. 10 take
effect January /. iS9S. is the payment Of
taxes on property assessed at $50 or more.
and the ability TO read and write any sec
ton Of the constitution submitted by the
registration officer.
The provisions OF the Mississippi con-
satution. while not so onerous. are stiu
sufficiently restrictive to practically dis
-,
negroes resident in the state.
The odlous feature OF the South Carolina
constitution is not so much in the eduea-
uonal requirement as in the placing Of
the power IN the registration officer TO re-
fuse 70 register a voter who cannot Eek
plain" constitutional provisions to the
satisfaction OF the registration ofncer
Practically the registration officer can dis
franchise or enfranchlse as many electors
as may suit him. or as the party neces-
stiles may require
How the system works in practical ope-
ration may BE seen by the last election.
In the majority OF TIE Northern states
TIE percentage o. voters % population is
a. q 8 The population OF South Caro-
Ina - the last census was f.Isliss TIE
vote cas-; IN ne last eloc,lor was 6. III II
appears that IN South Carouaa but IN
Is OF the population exercises the elective
franchise, or that practically tve-thfrds
Of ire male Inhabitants % fan age are
| DISTINGUISHED.
Thls Is precisely ths ev1 which the pro
visions q the Fourteenth amendment
wers designed 70 meet As tvvo-thirsts OF
ths male citizens ot South Carolina are
disfranchised ~ law. two-sA.-ds or the
states representation In the lowsr house
q congress saouIa he taken away. sac
has a. present seven members Her vos-
Tag population entities her 20 bat two;
ana the state should he restricted % that
representation 0ntg such tszas - she re-
stores tho rsEAt CO sunrage % those Dis
tranohisea % tie existing law.
sog,h Carolina may prefs- 70 save =
minority az is n-a1s population c. Fan axe
control tbs lecal election. sat whsn 4
comes 70 representation n congress AID
| ire electoral college,. the other states Rave
interests - gvoters.