Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-08
RESTRICT THE FRANCHISE
Educational Test for Voters Advocated in
North Carolina.
Would Avoid Negro DOminatiOn-lsov
Russell Makes a New Attack
ON the Railroads.
pecial Correspondence Of The Evening Star.

ePSStu2 SDtEcriSHFuehce u Auc ENtEuiS sAat.
RALEIGH, N. c.. October 6. 1897.
There is a sharp development OF the idea
that an educational qualification for voters
is vital necessity in North Carolina Even
the religious papers are taking it up. and
in the state organ Of the Baptists. one of
the most influential and widely-read papers
in the state. appears today the following
plain editorial:
Without another word IL Is clear that
the negro is an obstacle; clear that newt
ably the southern country must be retarded
In her political progress so long as he is an
obstacle. 1t is clear that he is here to stay.
What then? Disfranchisement. 1t is the
only hope. There is but one ground that
will reach the mark, and that is illiteracy.
1t is a good one: 1t will stand the test of
common sense and plain reason and right
Is 1t impossible? 1t cannot be. Is Ii i'm
practicable? 1t cannot be. One year or
two years may not achieve the end but Ii
is worth decade of struggle. Other is
sues pale into insignificance beside this:
they should not be suffered to interfere. If
the unintelligent vote of North Carolina
could be eliminated the state could then
address herself with a single eye to the
needs of the people"
The state superintendent of public in
struction. a populist, openly declares he
favors an educational qualification.
Young Mems Republican League.
The Young Mems Republican League is
to be regularly formed at a state conven-
ton to be held here October ~. Letters
from Senator Prtchard, Congressman
Pearson and State Chairman Holton heart
lily indorse it. Pearson says there ought to
be expression at the convention of the
party's attitude toward certain issues in
which it will be called on to take sides next
year. 1t is quite well understood what this
means. 1t is that the party proposes to
repudiate the attacks on railways made
by the wing led by Gov. Russell. 1t is as
serted by the anti-Russell republicans that
he has no strength and that all he has so
far done is an effort to build up a party
on new issues. or rather to dictate new
issues. stream of demands for lower
passenger and freight rates. higher assess
ments for taxation, and annullment of the
lease of the North Carolina railways to the
Southern. has flowed ever since Gov. Rus
sell took office. The anti-Russell republi-
cans unite in the declaration that Senator
Butler inspires the Russell policy and line
of effort. 1t is certain that they are per-
fectly in touch with each other.
But the attempt of the governor and
Senator Butler to suspend the two senior
members of the railway commission is
cne OF the latest political moves. Senator
Butler gave hints that this would be done
weeks before the governor took the step.
The junior commissioner, an anti-Russell
republican, wrote the governor that he did
not have the least belief in his authority
to suspend and hence would disregard his
order Of suspension. The populist member
CT the commission is Ohio Wilson, widely
known as a most extreme populist, as that
party's first state chairman and as Senator
Eutler'S most Jealous and steadfast sup
porter in all the Senator's rise to power.
But Buffers attack on Wilson and his in
dorsement of Gov. Russelfs action have
changed the former friend and ally into the
bitter enemy, and tomorrow Wilson will
iSSue 1,L) ONO comics of THE Hay-
seeder," In which he makes the most bitter
attack upon Butler and Russell.
Gov. Russell explicitly denies published
interview in whichs some travelling man re-
ported him as saying the republicans are
now strong enough in this state to carry
1t without populist aid.
Democrats Need n Leader.
A democrat remarked today that the
trouble with that party now is that for
some years past demagogues have con-
trulled it and have lowered its tone; the
reed being for a leader who is real one.
1t Is certain that the democrats are more
hopeful than in more than year past.
Yet there is a lack of unity in the party.
Some want to make the silver issue para
noun and sink state issues as in the last
campaign; others say white supremacy is
the sole and supreme issue. How to rec
oncile the factions will require the best
thought of a real leader, who SO far this
year has not appeared. Positive assur-
ances are given of an early campaign next
year.
The very last semi-political sensation is
the presentment by the grand jury of this
county of two railways, the Southern and
the Seaboard, for giving free passes to state
officers and to persons other than en-
ployes and those who give an equivalent
for the tickets. Gov. Russell, 1t is said.
is to be a witness in this case. There may
be many others The charge to the grand
jury which led to this finding, was by
judge who is devoted friend Of Gov.
Russell. The railways naturally regard it
as another form of attack. The governors
main attack mas always been against the
Southern. With the Seaboard he has been
very friendly. Yet one of the leading coun-
sci of the Seaboard volunteered to defend
the rights of the two railway commissioners
whom the governor is irving TO suspend.