New-York tribune., 1899-11-17
TO DISFRANCHISE NEGROES.
AN AMENDMENT PROPOSED IN GEORGIA
THAT Is NOT LIKELY TO BE
CARRIED

Atlanta. Ga. Nov IS (speciaD. There 10 .
strong movement to place Georgia in line with
Mississippi Louisiana and South Carolina In the
matter OF dsfra nchsing the bulk OF the negro vote
Of this State At the last session OF the Legfs-
lature this question discussed in caucus OF
score or more members who favored the ais
franchisng scheme. but no action was taken.
On the first day OF the present session. however.
bin introduced which had been carefully
prepared during the last summer. and which en-
bodies proposed amendment TO the State Con-
stitution. II is In substance the North Carolina
plan. though II is in some respects even more ex-
treme. Unlike the laws OF Mississippi and Louisi-
ana. II does not contain alternative property
or educational qualification. but has the latter pro-
vision only. 1t is provided that when any would
be voter offers his ballot he may. by the managers
OF the election precinct al which he offers TO vote
or upon demand OF any citizen be required TO rad
and intelligently interpret any clause section OF
the constitution Of Georgia. As the Australian
ballot system is not used elections In this State
II Is thus placed in the power OF any OF the many
chalengers' who surround every ballot box to
put to this test any one who attempts TO cast a
ballot The managers OF the election vested
with complete discretion determine whether or
not the applicant has read ard inteligenty inter-
preted the clause or section OF the constitution
which is submitted to him
All the managers OF elections in this State are
appointed by the ordnares. or probate judges. OF
the various counties. and these officials oil
Democrats. except five or six who are Populists.
no negro ever has a place as an election manager
or even an election clerk anywhere in Georgia.
Ihere is in the pending bill no provision for an
appeal from the decision OF the election managers
as TO the educational qualification OF would-be
voters. and therefore 1t would be in the power OF
the managers at any precinct reject many
pronered votes as it might please them to DO.
mere Is no assurance that under the proposed law
the pest educated negro in the State could vote
Like the pending North Carolina amendment and
the laws OF South Carolina Mississippi and Louisi-
ana the Georgia amendment excepts from all its
provisions lineal descendants Of those who
qualified to vote by the laws OF this State in 1867.
vote in the State and excludes OF course all the
before 1865
The prospect OF the passage OF the bill TO submit
this amendment 10 the people OF this State is not
bright. II has no decided support from the State
press Not a single prominent daily newspaper IN
Georgia is advocating 1t. and the majority OF the
opposed by many OF the ablest men in the Legis-
lature. and It's supporters are by no means conf
The most Influential negro leaders those who
have done most to keep the relations between the
whites and the negroes good they are
actively at work against the measure. They are
appealing, and with good effect, to their white
them that would irritate race prejudice and undo
been trying to convince the negro that his white
employer. landlord or neighbor is really his best
trlend-that there Is a community or interest ana
should be cordality OF feeling between the two
Some of the most prominent white men In the
State oppose the amendment. because the Georgia
negro has long since ceased to take interest in
politics. and. with exceptions. is on excellent
terms with the whites. They meet the argument
that the amendment would put premium on edu-
cation by pointing out that, while II would do so
for the negro, II would not for the iterate white
man. all he would have to do would be TO show
a descent from ancestor who could vote thirty
two years ago.
Georgia is by no means excited over the question,
and there is great contrast between the state OF
Z
hibited in North Carolina over similar measure.
This induces the opponents OF the disfranchising
amendment TO hope and believe that there Is no
popular demand for IL and that II will be defeated
In the Legislature.