The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-27

come that the intelligence can be guar
antecd permanent rule only through
constitutional provisions restricting SUI
frage. There is no safe way that the
Legislature can reach the desired end
even If it was not committed to make
no restrictions as to suffrage except
by constitutional methods. \ stringent
registration act and an election law
modelled after Virginia would limit suf-
frage for time, but the objections to
such methods are obvious.
The people of the State want a per
manent settlement of the suffrage ques-
ton. There will never be n better time
to settle it than now. Congress is en-
gagged in providing governments for the
new colonies, largely populated by ne
groes, and it is not proposed by any
body that laws will be enacted giving
unlimited suffrage in Cuba, Hawaii, OF
any other of our new possessions. The
Cullom bill for governing Hawaii re-
stricts voting to those who are cable
UNDERSTANDABLE to speak,
read and write the English or Hawaiian
language provision oven more
stringent than the understanding
clause in the Mississippi Constitution.
The approval OF thus restricting the ne
gro vote by Republican leaders removes
the last objection TO eliminating the
mass of ignorant negro voters in North
Carolina. Two plans have been suggest
cd for securing this result, and they are
now being discussed by leading Demo
Gratis:
i. BY having the present Legislature
to submit an amendment to the Con
stitution.
.. BY calling Constitutional Con-
yention.
1t behooves all party leaders to give
weight to the arguments that are adj
vanced by the advocates of each propo-
sition. Both accomplish the same end.
and therefore there can be no wide diff
ference between those advocating the
one or the other.
The Democrats have sufficient ma
jority in this Legislature to submit an
amendment to the Constitution with
out the necessity of a convention. This
Legislature is composed of as able, capa-
bic and experienced men as will ever
be chosen to Constitutional Conycn-
ton in North Carolina. The counties
have sent their best men 10 the Legs
lature, and they have all the lights be-
fore them that could be before any
Constitutional Convention. For theee
reasons we strongly incline to the opin-
ion that the submission of Il suff.a &c
amendment by this Legislature is wiser
party policy than calling d Constitution
al Convention. 1t is simpler, it is cas-
Ter, it is cheaper, it is more certain. 1t
involves no other matter, but Ill lkcs
the sole issue before the voters: Are
you in favor of White Supremacy. or
are you opposed to it? Upon that clear
cut, simple issue-membarasscd by per-
sonalities or any other question how
ever good-there can be no doubt what
the verdict will be. However, we may
be mistaken and those who advocate a
convention may be able to show that a
convention affords the best method of
securing the result desired. If SO, WE
will cheerfully join in the policy that
approves itself to the wisdom of the
majority of the party, ana this paper
will lend what aid it can to secure such
restriction of the suffrage as will end for
this generation, at least, the evils tina.
negro rule have brought upon North
Carolina during the past four years.