The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-28
WEDNESDAY, December os, 1898
THE LOUISIANA PLAN-A SINGLE
ISSUE.

The sentiment in favor of submitting
the Louisiana plan of regulating and re-
stricting suffrage to the voters of North
Carolina grows upon the people as the
plan is studied. \ private letter receiv-
ed by the editor yesterday from one of
the ablest lawyers in Piedmont North
Carolina contained the expression that
he had examined the Louisiana constitu-
ton with care and did not believe it was
in conflict with any provision of the Fed
eral Constitution.
One OF the ablest lawyers of Raleigh
said yesterday: 1T is the plan for
North Carolina, and the more | study it
the mora / am convinced that it is the
plan that we ought substantially to adopt
for our State
Among laymen the opinion is wide
spread that the Louisiana plan fully
meets the needs of the State and would
be adopted by the people by an immense
majority.
The sentiment also seems to be grow
ing against a constitutional convention
or the submission of any amendment ex-
cent the one restricting suffrage The
people have given the Democrats four
fifths majority with the mandate to give
the State permanent white supremacy.
They have chosen a General Assembly
of able men to carry out this mandate.
The only way TO do so is by constitution
al enactment. Why go to the unnecessary
expense of calling constitutional con-
vention, which may deal with all ques-
tions and thus becloud the issue, when
the Legislature can submit the suffrage
amendment without all the cumbersome
machinery of a constitutional conven-
ton, with the attendant dangers?
There are some wise men who favor
several amendments, regulating the
. homestead; dividing the school funds be-
tween the races in the proportion that
each race pays, and other matters re-
Garded as of great Importance. u is our
conviction that no other measure how
ever good it may be in itself, ought to be
submitted by the Legislature than one
restricting suffrage. There is no other
measure suggested that would not cause
division in the party, and not one, how
ever good, that cannot be postponed un-
til the oyershadowing question of suf-
frage is settled, and settled right. The
single issue of white supremacy must be
settled first. Nothing ought to be in
Jected that can obscure that issue, or
give any man an excuse to vote against
the elimination of the mass of ignorant
negro voters. Several amendments
would tend to put the discussion in the
campaign on as many lines. whereas
when the campaign ON the constitutional
amendment is opened land we well
understand that it will be stubbornIy
Fought the issue ought to be so clear
cut that every man who favors white
supremacy will have to vote ''for amend
ment,' and all who vote against amend
ment, will put themselves on the side
Of the advocates of Negro Rule. The
Democratic party wants to say to all
men, when the vote to restrict suffra ge
is taken: Choose We this day whom We
will serve" If more issues than the
transcending one of restricting suffrage
is submitted, it will not be easy to make
The issue so clear cut and plain as il the
single amendment restricting suffrage is
TO be voted upon. Let AN other matters
wait until the State is safely and perma.
nently in the hand of the intelligent 70.
Ters