The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-15
RESTRICTED SUFFRAGE.

The -4tlanta constitution in referring
TO tho proposition to hold constitu-
tlonal convention in the state of Alabama
- dea. with the suffrage question, ex-
tends IS congratulations TO the people
Of the State because the bill providing
for this convention has been passed by
the Legislature and declares that the
necessity for such a convention y no
greater in Alaha ma than it is in Georgia,
II, indeed. 50 great.
This gives emphasis to the fact that
there Is a growing sentiment in all South
ern States for a restricted suffrage. The
negro in politics is a marplot, and the
South has suffered hot simply from ne
gro misrule, but from untold demoraliza-
ton growing out of election frauds, which
have been considered a necessity in order
to preserve the government TO the
whites.
And this sentiment exists not only in
the South. bat in the North. and Il there
are opponents in that quarter to restrict
ed suffrage they must hold their peace
in the face OF the fact that the principle
has been already established in cur new
ly-acquired possessions of the Pacific
a bill has already been introduced IN
the House Of Representatives providing
for a government fer the new territory of
Hawaii The section which defines citi-
zenship in those islands provides that
"all white persons, including Portuguese
ana persons Of African descent, and al
persons descended from the Hawaiian
race on either the paternal or maternal
side who were citizens of the Republic
Of Hawaii Immediately prior to the trans
fer Of the sovereignty thereof TO the
United States are hereby declared to be
citizens Of the United States" This pro-
vision seems to be very broad but in
point Of fact it excludes from franchise
the large number Of Japanese and Chi
nese laborers who inhabit the island.
These are absolutely disfranchised with
out any question Of educational or pro-
perty qualification. II is deemed that
they are not competent to exercise the
right of suffrage and they will not be
permitted 20 vote, 50 great Is our solicit
tude of our government for the
intelligent inhabitants Of the ter
ritory of Hawaii Yet this same gov
eminent thought it right and proper to
put the ballot into the hands Of the
newly emancipated slaves Of the South,
and by constitutional provision 10 confer
upon them every right of citizenship that
belonged to their late masters Surely
after all this, the Northern people will
not have the efrontery 10 offer opposi-
ton TO any expedient that may be adopt
ed In the Southern States 10 undo the
great wrong that was inflicted by the
North thirty years ago.
Ii is significant in this connection that
the President Of the United States. who
Is a Republican and who only few years
ago. when a member Of Congress, was a
strong advocate Of the force bill by which
il was proposed 10 discipline the Southern
whites, is 20 be the guest Of the Legisla-
ture Of Alabama, which has 50 recently
taken the initiatory steps towards a con-
suutional convention FOR the purpose
mentioned, and now the guest Of the
city Of Atlanta. whose leading morning
newspaper comes out so boldly in favor
Of qualified suffrage. This visit OF the
President at this particular time, taken
in connection with the fact that in his
late message he made no allusion what
ever 20 the recent negro troubles in the
Carolinas. cannot but be regarded as evi-
dence that the President ana his assoc
ciates are not disposed to NEEDLE with
the local affairs OF the Southern states,
but TO leave them 10 solve their domestic
problems according to their methods.