The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-11-18
One Effect Of the Race TronbIe.

one Eject OF the Race IFouble.
II Mai. Hesrsy. the editor Of the New
Orleans States. understands the situation
in louisiana correctly. there is likely 70
- q considerable change in the political
situation 10 mat state before many years.
IN an interview IN New York city the
other day. he SAID Louisiana is going TO
have a constitutional convention. which
VIII adopt a constitution that Will contain
provisions which VIII stop the negroes
from voting.
From this Te infer that q provision sim
lar 10 that in the constitution Of 1iissis-
sipp. relative 10 the election franchise is
20 be put into the constitution Of Louisi-
ana. There are educational and prop
erty qualifications in the constitution Of
Mississippi. and they keep the great ma
joriry Of the negroes from the ballot box.
When the Mississippi constitution went
into effect the white republicans and ne
groes in that state endeavored to create
an unfavorable opinion in regard TO IT,
EOw-a-days. however. very little is heard
about il, and the presumption is that both
republicans and democrats are satisfied
that the part Of 1t which relates TO the
election franchise Is q very good thing for
the state
The negro vote in Louisiana Is a very
large one, and il is controlled by able lead
ers-some Of the leaders being white and
others black. The white people are deter
mined that the negroes ehal not get con-
troll Of the state. They know what negro
rule means. They have had it. and they
understand very well that it means ruin.
The negroes act together and to prevent
them from getting into power. the white
people are compelled to present a solid
front to them. The ballot In the hands Of
the negroes makes the south politically
solid. Il also encourages ballot box
frauds Of one kind and another-frauds
which the white people tolerate. but 90
not approve.
In Mississippi the populist party has be
come strong since the ballot was practi-
cally taken away from the negro. but the
republican party has made no headway.
What would be the effect Of taking the
ballot from the negroes in Louisiana
Maj. Hearsy expressed the opinion that
with the fear Of negro domination remov-
Cd, the white people would divide on party
! lines, ana that the state would. in all
probability. become republican. Now there
/ Is no Independence Of political thought.
The white people vote as their leaders d.
rect. II they should think for themselves
and vote in accordance with their convic-
tons, they would make an opening in the
white vote through which the negroes
would rush and seize the state.
Maj. Hearsy, although a strong demo-
crat, evidently thinks it would be better
for the state to become republican than
that the present condition Of affairs should
continue. Clearly he voices the views Of
many other Louisiana democrats, or else
the movement towards a new constitution
/ would have very little support.
/ In Louisiana the conditions are quite
/ different from what they are in most OF
/ the southern states. In this state. for in
stance, there is no outspoken sentiment in
| favor Of taking the ballot from the negro
and yet in hot campaign between demo
Gratis and populists the negro would come
very near holding the balance of power
! Still. If a new constitution were framed
| it is doubtful If It would contain provis-
ion intended to prevent the great mass OF
| the negroes from voting