The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1899-07-13
PRACTICAL REASONS IN FA.
VOR OF THE AMENDMENT,

Discussion by EX-Gov. T. ]. IarviSD
In this discussion | shall assume thai
the proposed amendment is not in con.
hirt with the Constitution of the Uni
ted States. II is similar to the proviS-
ions of the CONSTITUTION of Louisiana
which has been passed upon and pro
nounced constitutional by some of the
ableSt lawyers in the United States. 1t
was passed by Il legislature composed
Of many of the ableSt lawyers OF this
State. The American system of gov
eminent leaves the question of SUI
frage very largely with the States. aud
the Supreme tONrt of the United
StAteS has recently affirmed and mp
held this doctrine in passing upon The
new constitution of Mississippi. which
contained provisions restricting and
regulating suffrage. SO noIwi1hStand-
ing the condemnation of the amend
mcnt by a few Republican lights. who
have been dragged from obScurity by
the negro vote. shall assume the
amendment to be constitutional. and
that ii is within the province of the
people of North Carolina to ratify it
and max" it Il part of their conStitI-
ton if they see proper to do 50.
TIE PEOPLE TO DETERMINE.
The Legislature has performed its
part in preparing ana passing the pro-
posed amendment 10 be voted Oh. 1t
now remains for the peopl" to say
whether il shall be ratified or not If
Il ma iority of the votes east shall b"
against it that ends it. If ma jority
shall be for il then it will become Il
part Of our constitution. So the whole
question and responsibility * now
with the people. 1t is for them TO say
what shall be done with it, And in
making mp their minds and arriving
a their conclusions they have ample
time to consider this great question
in all its bearings upon the future pol
icieS and interests of their State. Much
will probably be written and spoken
for and against the amendment before
he day of voting comes. II Will be
We'll for the conservative. thoughtful
people TO take these arguments and
reasons. consider them and then vote
aS they be convinced is for the best
intoreS: of them selves. their homes and
their State If anything | may saw
IN this article shall aid any onr in his
consideration OF this .rca; question
then it viii no; have been written in
vain.
In order % treat thiS question as
plainly ana III the same time a. com
progressively rs possible in Il brief ar
ticlc. shall discuss il under the three
following" general propositions:
First It's effec! upon the State:
/ white population.
Second. It,; effect upon the Stale
coiored population.
Third. lis effect upon the state j
general policies ana Industries.
EFFECT on WHITE MEN.
! now ask III" rea,ler 10 con slider The
effect of this amendment. if adopted.
upon the white people Of he State.
And 4irSt Of all lSserr il dies nos dis
! franchise a single white man WHO j.
now 4 qualified voter. Not one. NGI
viii If eyer diSfranchiSe \ single white
voter whose naDl" goes Oh :hr regis
trltiOn books prior 10 January Isl.
1905 Not ore. Every while man
Who is a qualified voter COW viii con
/ Time to be 50 az long IS he lives 20
| far rs this amendment affects his
right 10 vote. Every Young nlc a.
irving 1T full age befnr" January 1st.
1905. can register and Vol" If he puts
lti> name on the registration books be-
fore that date, and h" Will continue 20
H.. 4 voter ~ long a. be lives. Then
. what class Of white ntII can il affect
I answer. only those who become II
wears old after January lst 1AUs, ald
who WI! not learn TO read and write.
| say VIII no' hecau>" there = nOt q
vhire auy n the S'aic vino .anuot
learn 10 read and wrii" # ne will.
Eve"y hoy VIII understand that C be
:, votnr he MUS he able TO :'ead and
w-::.a. and ne viii hive 4 motive to
study 1nd learn nat mich. a3G have
10 1oubt &c WI DO it. There IS no