People's party paper. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1891-1898, 1896-09-04
SOME REASONS WHY
The Negroes OF Georgia Should Sap
port the Peoples Party State
Platform and Nominees.

state election. Since it ia fact that
the Republican party will not put out
a State ticket, it leaves the contest to
be made between the Democratic
and Populist parties. The negroes
and all Republicans are free to take
their choice.
Both the Democratic and Popu-
list parties desire the negroes votes
and each are making great efforts to
get them. The Democratic party,
the life long enemy of the negroes in
politics, is boastiug of the large mum
Der of prominent negroes who will
vote and work for the election of
Gov. w. Y. Atkinson and his party
in October, as against the Hon, Seab
Wright and his party. The Demo
cratic party and these prominent
negroes who are supporting it claim
that the negroes are obligated to the
Democratic party because of the
friendship of Gov. Atkinson for the
negroes. Admit the friendship of the
governor for the negroes; bus what of
the friendship of his party. There is
none. Some negroes think that we
owe Gov. Atkinson great political
honor because he pardoned Adolphus
Disseminating legal duty for an
act of kindness and friendship. When
Duncan was pardoned and thanked
the governor, be said, "don't thank
me, thank your lawyer (GIenn) and
the good people who have urged
Your cause before me-" The COVER
nor knew there was no merit in the
case for him and honestly assigned it
where it belonged. Why can not
his friends be as honest?
Ii Gov. Atkinson was such a good
friend to the negroes Why should he
go all the way to Alabama during
Its recent State campaign and hold
candidate Goodwin, (whlte) for gov
ernor on the fusion ticket, up to ridi-
cule, and denounce him because be
voted in congress to unseat Elliott
(white) and seat the negro, Csc. W.
Murray. 1t strikes me that he, like
his party, is a friend to the
negroes out of office. I agree
with Mr.. H. A. Rucker that the
Populist platform is the best that has
ever been promulgated in Georgia.
[ urge my people to support the
Populist platform for five reasons,
viz:
/. Because it has come out boldly
against barrooms, the deadliest enemy
of good society, Christian homes,
and virtuous citizenship. All con-
scientious Christians are going to.
align themselves against barrooms
and do battle for the safety and vir-
tue of the State, the women and the
homes. Every vote cast for the
Democratic party is cast for more
liquor, more drunksrds, more wretch
ed lives, and more poverty at home.
VIII you do it?
2. Because it is in favor of the
abolition of the present convict lease
system in Georgia. The barbaroua
system, perpetuated especially upon
our people, is the blacklist spot upon
the escutcheon OF the Christian civil
ization of the State. The Populist
party pledges itself, if elected, to
wipe 1t out. There is no negro in
Georgia but what should come TO the
rescue of the many ill-treated con-
viots by casting their votes for the
Populist party, the only one pledged
to prison reform.
8. Because it is ia favor of i'm
proving and extending the public
school system; favors furnishing pri-
mary books by the State, free OF cost
to parents; also favors the monthly
pay of teachers This is wholesome
plank and will meet the approval of
our teachers over the State. The
efficient work of teachers are too de-
serving to be kept waiting so long
for their ps7 as at present. OF course
the teachers will vote for this change.
A. Because it condemns lynching.
Its platform says, ave condemn
lynohing, and demand OF cur public
servants the rigid enforcement of the
laws against thA barbarous prso-
tee" The very fact that the Popp.
list party has the courage Of its con
yic.ious to denounca the lvnchino,