The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-03-03
.GOVERNOROPPOSESIT
He = ul0usty Objects to the
Grant Election Law.
A DANGEROUS MEASURE
THIS is WHAT HE THINKS OF
THE SENATE BILL.
WE WANT RePosE AND QUIET
While This Sill Will stir Up Strife and
Lead 70 Possible Violence and
Lawlessness.

Lawlessness.
After the votes taken ON the
election law in the Senate last night GOV.
Russell was seen in his Office by News
and Observer reporter and asked for hls
opinion ON the proposed changes IN the
law
Have you examined and considered the
bill introduced by Senator Grant upon
which there were several votes In uhe
Senate tonight resulting in IT'S re-refer-
ence to the committees was the nrst
question asked.
II don't know that l have anything to
say for public print, was the reply. linen
after a moments hesitation and Thought,
he said. Il will say, that some weeks
ago. a member of the Legislature confer
red with me about amending the election
law. in such a way as to prevent the
control of the election machinery by
combination of Democratic and Popu-
list chairmen. | told him that | Thought
it would be better to take away all pow
er from the chairmen of political parties
and give it to the clerks under the super
vision and control of the judges OF the
Superior and Supreme courts.
Something was said about appointing
election commissioners, and stated tnat
I did not like the plan, but had not
Thought much about it, and that perhaps
it would do. My attention at the time
was not directed to a scheme to appolnt
Mr.. Holton and Mr.. McCaskey and Mr..
MANLY. The matter was passed over
and / thought but little more about Ut
until within the last three days during
which time the question has been agitated.
What do you think of the scheme
proposed?'
II am satisfied that such a scheme ID
unfair and dangerous. There is to-day
a better feeling between the races, and De-
tween the white people among themselves
than there has been since 1860.
Men are not ostracised or terrorised
on account of their political CONVICTIONS.
"a Republican can go and come and
live among his white neiglrbors without
beSng stigrnat6zed or ostraeJsed because or
ais politics. Republicans are just as weli
considered as men of any other party.
The white people of the State want re-
pose and quiet. so that they may follow
their industrial pursuits without political
acrimony of disturbance.
By this time the Governor became
somewhat warmed up and with consid-
efdBte GIuSiidolS BG SVut1AhSu'
If you pass this bill you deprive the
Populist party Of any representation in
your election law or marchinery. You
thereby insult 10000 to $4,000 white
men in North Carolina. and the very
men who made it possible for Republicans
to recover their. constitutional rights and
franchises. You serve notice on the
Populist party that future affiliation
with the Republican party is not desired
and is impossible.
Then warming up a little more the
Governor, arising and walking up and
down the office, continued: You arouse
the passions of the Democrats and Popu-
lists who constitute one hundred and
fifty thousand of the two hundred thou
sand white men in North aCrolina. 1t
means the restoration of bitterness, and
strife which may lead to violence and
lawlessness.
''Whether the fact be so or not these
one hundred and fifty thousand white
men win believe that it is a scheme to
disfranchise them. This sort of thing
will not work with men of Saxon blood.
'The bill, as | understand it, denies
even to the Democratic and Republican
parties {as well as the Populist partyl
the privilege Of being heard even to the
extent of suggesting their respective rep
resentatives in this electoral star cham
ber
IF Mr. Manly sr Mr.. Holton desire
to retire or if their respective parties
should desire to displace them from their
present positions as chairmen they would
still be members of this commission and
could exercise this tremendous power
without any constituency behind them"
Such legislation is novel to our people.
1T is dangerous and revolutionary.
Then Governor, you are evidently op-
posed to the measureW
Opposed to it? Yes, sir; strenulously
opposed to it, / can see the force OF
the argument made that the present law
gives the chairmen of the three parties
the power to recommend to the clerks
and by a coalition Of the Democratic and
Populist chairmen the Republicans might
be at disadvantage This can be OBJ
Waited by the adoption Of a milder meas
ure in the way of a compromise, which
would show to the people of all parties
that our only object was to secure a
free fair and honest election"
If the clerk makes any Objectionable
appointments application can be made to
q Judge for a correction Of the wrong
Thus the ultimate power will be with
the judges who viii act fairly and inn
partially"
That's all I've got to say" said his
excellency as he put on his hat and
started for the mansion.