The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1897-12-03
Senator George and the States Franchise.

@GHdEJs WIS &3U
..n.o,,;o, THE p,icy and the merits of choosing a large -.
90 .,. ns us .an:ag 5a-titltional convention, the
.rr i..,l -.sr... l.so. aAica IS thus proper eofnxs
tro Grerpvo., Commonwealth:
,.1to esteemed I'D 4. in error when it says 'that had the chdN
gar .ntsrcy il, the counties he would not have been chosen" Til
"m,a[1, ~, ,rnfn,t in The state that would not have given a malorftr
vote for Senator George. 1t was known 1a' 1T a II biggest mI
fine convention had been called, and every man with a spafka
t,iott.o or an ounce Of sense realized that the sod Commoner" mu&Y
y I'D h, way through the wilderness. Senator George Wa
mental in having he constitutional convention called. After it xM
the neorlc with one voice demanded that he become a member Of k&
rosr1ndad to their request by accepting it. From the moment the vs.
+fon o,ared to the close he was tie guiding and directing force. UT
sn,r,pin others it can truly be said that Mississippis constitutDsH
child Of tie great brain aud loving heart Of j T. George"
IT win not be taken as arrogance, 1t IS trusted, When We say that
&c y . nan in the state more competent to testify to the substantial
-, +na ,,,ot than tine cditm f the Herald. We take occasion 50 eiM
cmmonwealth% tribute this endorsement, because there has recently
discussion OF the point involved when seemeo-unintentioa1HN
beicye-toc carry a different idea Of the late senator iull contrbaAosi
successful and. fortuitous outcome Of the convention. AS TO his 'Iha1MS
ouc narsons nlans-the problem did not consist In devising a remedy
many that were submitted Il number would nave answered. None vsya
together novel. The real task lay in bringing the convention inD
nonjoos acceptance If a system derived from the mass of articles y
snted. Senator George never displayed greater patriotism and Co.
judgement. than in subordinaung plans of his own conception to tsN
ose in view, and in Inspiring the convention with a like spirit.
q The Commonwealth could have made its correction of the error NJ
Nrmes- Democrat more specific. Senator George was solicited by petite
Nerve as delegate from Carroll, his home county. Doubling If he j.
\ property absent himself from the senate, from the duties and Responsible
with which he had been charged. he declined. His action caused 4 M
Svun those who were most earnest in favoring the conventions eau IT,
amounted to despondency-aImost CONSERVATION. Reference to this ch
Etancc recalls another, that reflects credit on one of the truest and p
Nitizens of the statc-now passed away-the relation of which may nkA
Nut Of place. When the state convention for nomination OF delegtu
large had assembled Senator George was wiredof the feeling in regard a.
n ,argor county letter. and asked to serve as a delegate at large. HsIgH
Tamc quite late the night before the convention met, and after the Two
Rates at large from his Congressional district had been decided Upon. MMA
wo gentlemen the late Robert Petty, of Noxuoee, and Capt, Frank B~s
of Chickasaw, were invited to the room of this writer, and, MI N@
M George being present also, the Senator's dispatch was read. After tue t.
Nj ,ortance of his presence in the coming convention had been but briefly ~
III lJsscd, Mr.. Petty stated that he would Withdraw in Senator Georges Il
n or. Fortunately he was afterwards selected by Noxubee county andchuM
Mn preside over the franchise committee as it's chairman. There 6e M
NMAuued the most valuable service, until stricken down by the sickness H.
5 IN he never recovered. H
h. Had Senator George not reconsidered his decision andconsented tOMM
.wt G do not hesitate to express our conviction that the convention held Mk
out his counsel and influence would have failed. This is said with afuhM4
high apmeciation of the motives, the character and the ability Of tue IT,
temen CONFUSING that body to which Mississippi and the south 01M
much. II is said also with an intimate knowledge OF the peculiar aaM
picking obstacles that lay in the way of an agreement. In the nH L.
Mississippi encountered great difficulties that South Carolina ana LonsM
will avoid. 1t was an UntrOdden path which the pioneers CLEARED WM
greatest dangers. The @rayest Or all was the fear OF federal lntervenuMA
was this that caused the late Mr.. LNmar-thc most illustrious OF oFn %
day statcsmen-to regard the move us unwise and destined to anaM
failure, Aud with him thus regarding it hundreds of the best and a.
men of HE state So accepted and disfaVored the measure proposed. nM
this fear of Federal interference that weighed most heavily upon the r.
Of Senator Georgia heart bold TO audacity. With him a realization y I.
meant Individually more than it did to any one else. True the repOn h
committee on Federal relation prepared in the main by Judge SimnlrrH
greatly calculated to relieve apprehension as to any violation LAY 49,
did not guard against partisan mis-constructions Of the law ana ue ~
tuition. 1t was this that cl0udea Senator Georges hopes, though rNtlbA~
his heart moved to urge risks which proved as true, that "Out OF te 49,
danger is to- be plucked the fowep safety Mississippi having broker \
ice, and by a grand display Of courage disproved the danger o. aTreslW !.
designs by congress. the way was made plain and smooth for those WM \
low; if they will but harmoni2e on the purpose.-vicksburg Harao.