Evening star., 1899-03-27
NORTH CAROLINA POLITICS
Campaign of 1900, in Behalf of Constitu-
tional Amendments, Already Begun
Claims of Democratic Manaxers-The
of the Legislative Action,
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
RALEIGH, N. c., March 27-In a
previous dispatch to The Star the state
ment was made that, although the vote
upon the amendment to the state con-
stitution which was adopted by the legisla-
ture during its late session, is not to be
submitted to the voters for ratification or
rejection until the regular election, which
does not take place until August, 1900, the
campaign on the part of the democrats
would speedily be opened. 1t can now be
said that the campaign has been already
begun. and on one point all are agreed-that
the campaign is sure to be as bitter and as
sensational as that of last fall.
The democrats are going before the peo-
pie in support of the amendment, stating
frankly that it is aimed at the iluterate
negro vote. They contend that the party
is committed to the principle of limiting
suffrage as nearly as possible to white man
hood. That they say is the clear and I'M
mistakable meaning of the amendment and
its intent. They add that they court the
intelligent negro vote because they know
that vote will be cast on the side of law
and order: and in the development of this
idea they say that the real effect of the
amendment is to enfranchise the intelligent
negro, who, they claim, has never had the
right to the free exercise of his ballot be-
fore.
Further Claims.
The democratic managers go even further
than this, and make the assertion that the
Intelligent, thoughtful negro has ever since
emancipation been practically at the mercy
of the negro politician. They declare that
he has been compelled to vote the repub
lican ticket, no matter who might be on it,
because negro bosses said so, and they
knew failure to comply would mean social
ostracism. Under the operation of this
amendment these intelligent negroes will,
according to the argument of the democrat
ic managers, be greatly benefited. These
managers admit that they do not expect
to find any colored men casting their votes
for the amendment, but this, they say, will
be because of the strong race pressure that
will be brought to bear upon them. They
affect to believe that those they are pleased
to term the intelligent negroes will be g.ad
to see the adoption of the amendment
which is to give them political status
above their fellows who are ignorant.
The contention of the republicans and
populists is going to be that while the
amendment is aimed apparently at the
negroes. under its provisions the ignorant
white man is really the one to be hurt.
Chairman Simmons Positive.
Mr.. F. NJ Simmons, chairman of the
democratic state central committee, who
managed the last campaign, and who will
direct the fight now on for the democrats,
says he is positive the people will ratify
the dmeHUHleul anu OlHeI ueulOCIdliC 1edn-
ers are equally positive; but some of the
best-posted of the rank and file of the par
ty are not so certain, and the republicans
and populists believe the views of these
doubters have substantial foundation.
a good many people who think there is a
possibility of the defeat of the amendment,
and who look al matters from a purely
political standpoint, say that in the last
campaign the democrats had the active
assistance of three powerful elements,
which they have in the
campaign of 1900. One of these is the cor
poration influence, which would perhaps
have an easier time of ii under republican
than under democratic rule; another is the
saloon element, which was actively at work
for the party in the last campaign, as was
demonstrated in several dispensary fights
before the legislature, and another is the
denominational college element, which is
said to be strong
Contrary to the almost universal custom,
the legislature did not adjourn sine die
when it completed it's business about ten
days ago and there is quite a story in that.
A recess was taken until the Tuesday after
the first Monday in June. One reason was
given for this, but there said to be
really two.
1t was the boast of the opponents of the
election law that it would be held by the
supreme court of the state to be unconsti-
tutional. 1t is believed by the democrats
that their claim would, if brought to the
test, be proven unfounded, but the demo-
a new election law was enacted all other
laws were repealed, so that if this were to
fail the state would have no election law
whatever. 1t is to guard against such a
possibility that the legislature remains in
official existence. Should this law be over
thrown a new law could be speedily en-
acted.
Another Reason Assigned.
The other reason for this recess. instead
of adjournment, is given by many people,
though few care to be quoted about it,
sell has kept SO quiet during the last few
months, and especially during the time the
legislature was in session, was due to a fear
that the legislature would undertake to i'm
peach him, and Governor Russell was not
out seeking trouble of that kind It was
the general belief however, that when the
legislature got safely away beyond the i'm
peachment stage the governor and his re-
publican and populist friends might get to-
gether again, and find some way to over
throw the new election law and perhaps
some OF the other partisan legislation en-
acted, and the recess, instead of adjourn
ment, is notice to Governor Russell that he
is not beyond the possibility of impeach-
ment. Whatever the reason, however. the
fact that there has been no sine die ad-
1ournment is interesting The legislature
has taken sort Of sword of -Damocles DO
sition over the head of the republican gov
ernor, and the indications are that the role
VIII be effective. If, during the remaining
two years of his office holding, Governor
Russell makes any particular trouble, he
will surprise both his enemies and his
friends.
SOCIAL FEATURES.
Luncheon and Reception. Respective-
in HVatfsViIIp and VicSptty