The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1899-03-09
SCHEME A SHAM.
STANYARNE WILSON'S VIEWS.

SOuth's ReprcsentiOn In Congress
Special to Atlanta Constitution:
While it is tho general belief that
nothing tangible will ever come OF the
proposed effort to cut down the repre-.
sentatiOn Of the Democratic States OF
the South in Congress, the proposition
has nevertheless attracted much atten-
tion and has glvcr rise TO no little dis
cussiOn among public men.
There has been q ageneral study Of the
problems presented, particularly by
the representatives Of those States
which have adopted the-to the Re-
publicans-ObnOxiO iOus educational tests,
and these men have had many inquiries
put at them by their less Immediately
Interested colleagues.
South Carolina, Mississippi and
Louisiana are the States whose consti-
tutions or election laws are most OBJ
jected to by tho Repubiosns-at least
by those Republicans who are engaged
resentatives in Congress- from these
States have had many Inquiries fired
at them during the past week.
One OF the most prominent members
OF the South Carolina delegation is
Congressman Stanyarnc Wilson, of the
Spartanburg district. Mr.. Wilson,
who ia one Of the best known lawyers
OF his State, has naturally had occasion
to study the election subject good
deal during the past three or four years
He Ia firm believer in the validity OF
the constitution and election laws OF
his State and does not hesitate to give
reasons for the faith that is in him.
asked Mr.. Wilson what he thought OF
the proposed reduction Of the SOuth's
representation In Congress.
my fret impression is that this 10
but another illustration of the sinners
realization Of the truth OF the biblical
philosophy that whatsoever man
soweth, that shall he also reap The
Republican party sowed the wind when
it forced upon the people Of the South
the suffrage amendments Of the con-
otitution; 1t has been reaping the
representation in Congress and tho
electoral college for the last quarter of
a century.
"The consequences Of those amend
mente have been most disastrous to
that party and the rapid development
OF the South necessarily pOrtends to
them the complete and unalterable as
tendency and dominance OF the Demo
cratic party unless something like that
they are nUw talking about can be ac-
comDlished.
lin every Congressional and Presi-
Dental election the Republicans are
confronted with the mighty vote Of the
solid South, far outnumbering the
equally solid vote Of the New England
States. Every election Ia q supreme
struggle for them to carry New York,
Illinois, Indiana and a few Other doubt
full States. If the South's representa-
t1On could be cut In half then perma-
nent control Of the government could |
be practically assured, and it is not sur
prieing, therefore, thai some of their |
leaders and some Of their papers should |
advocate such revolutionary step. It |!
1s their only salvation.
"They realize their stupidity in |
adopting those suffrage amendments.
They we're unable to look into the fu-
tnre. True, they were able to make |
the negro vote valuable to them for q |
few years while the South was being
robbed by the carpet-baggers and the
free-booters, but they failed to calcu-
late upon the operation and the inevit-
able effects OF the eternal law Of white |
supremacy. And now they are ready,
having begun to realize that the white |
men Of the South have redeemed and |
disentralled their States for all time to
come, to accept the so.called disfran-
chisement of the negro in order that
the representation OF the Southern
States may go with their Qu0ndam pro-
tege and Instruments.
'They have lost all sympathy for the |
negroes and are glad to 500 the dis
franchieement.'
ut 1s not difficult to discuss their !
hopes and wises, but it is extremely |
difficult for mo to see how they can |
over be realized" continued Mr.. VIII |
son. I'm the first place II Congress
should attempt to cut down the repre-
sentation under the provisions Of those |
seotions OF the fourteenth amendment |
which they are quoting, the act could |
not pass muster before tho supreme |
court Of the United States. That court |
outrage Is not right, but privilege |
or franchise; and further, that ii Is |
subject wholly and only to State con-
troll and legislation, with this single |
qualification or limitation, namely, that |
the State shall make no discrimination |
as to the outrage OF its citizens on &C.
count OF race, color or previous condi- |
tiou. No man can claim the right to |
vote, as against his States laws, unless |
that discrimination is made. II the |
State does not accord him the right to |
vote, he cannot, under the decisions,
claim that he has been denled right
"Aloh Ao HcVSi Hal, Ut Iubb SuCn lln- |
sginary right has been abridged.
'"The State has tho power to place |
any restriction it chooses upon the ex-
orcise OF suffrage by It's citizens in tho |
way of regulation, registration, educa-
tional quail ification and 80 forth, juet |
as long as that restriction Is not based |
upon race, color or previous condi- |
tlon.'
'1f State should imp such illegal
restriction or abridgement, whether by
constitutional convention or by act OF |
Legislature, such law would be a
nullity and consequently could not deny |
or abridge any right to any one.
therefore 1t would follow under the |
declslons that that part Of section 2 OF |
the iourteenth amendment Is in effect |
nullity. II representation can onlv
90 reduced by o States denying and
abrldging rights it had no bower to |
deny. or abridge, there can be no re- |
ductiOn, or representation. The de-
oisions lead inevitably to that resnlt
ANY 'disfrsnchisement,' aa tbcse
editors and politicians prefer to TO call iloI It,
or denial OF suffrage or abridpement
nf AotS