The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-12-03
How to Treat the Negro.

Some opinions upon the race problem
in the South are expressed by eX-
Governor Bullock of Georgia in the
course of a recent communication to
the press which are worthy of consid-
Grafton as representing a strong senti-
ment in that section. Although Cen
eral Bullock was a tslave-h holder. a.
Confederate soldier and has been all
his life a leader among the whites of
the southern section, he has differed
from many of his neighbors in that
he has stOutly argued for fair play
for the negro and for an honest ac-
ceptance o. the results of the civil war.
Yet he says:
II have believed and have long since
advocated a state suffrage based upon
intelligence and property qualifica-
tions While there may be those among
us who would seek to limit the suffrage
on a color line, no one who can read
the Fifteenth amendment is fool
enough to attempt such a proceeding
1t can be safely accepted as a fact by
our friends North that the intelli-
gent, property-owning and tax-paying
colored citizens of Georgia have no
objection to modification of the
franchise of our state upon such q
basis. Their interest in an intelligent
franchise is greater than that of the
white man, because white man can
care for himself even under adverse
circumstances. The first effect of such
modification of the franchise would
he lenity toward white men who
are not legally qualified. But the riv-
airy of candidates would soon enforce
the law equally" In the meantime,
General Bullock suggests that if con-
eress has reason TO believe that in any
district in the South the member re-
turned as elected to congress was
not fairly chosen by majority
of the qualified voters. it decline
TO seat him and order a new election.
The result of such action, if per-
sisted in by congress will" says he,
'be full, free and fair vote, aud an
active opposition canvass in each dis
trict. There can be no doubt that It
is better for us, better for the coun-
try, that We stand unrepresented
while we are bringing about such elec-
tion systems in our districts as will
command the confidence not only of
congress but of the people at large. ."
In conclusion General Bullock SAYS:
whenever it is understood that the
negro is simply a citizen like the rest
of us, and not the ward of the ma.
ton or the pet of a party he will
receive justice from the people among
whom he lives. Sporadic cases of UNI
just, unlawful and barbarous treat
nor is it entirely confined to the South
But such Instances are light compared
with the total number of the negroes
There is no recorded history of any
race having equalled the progress OF
the negro from slavery to the present
day."
1t must be confessed frankly that
there is a good deal of solid common
sense in these views. The theory of
suffrage restricted by educational
or property qualifications has strong
opposition but we believe that the best
thought of the country is steadily
drifting toward broader acceptance OF
1t as the safest way out of too lib
eral past extension of the suffrage
over unfit inhabitants. The fact that
these qualifications are to be set up
in Hawaii, to protect the better ele-