Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-10-20
SUFFRAGE QUESTION.
THE PROPOSED NORTH CAROLINA
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
SENATOR PRITCHGRD ON TIE SUBJECT
Republican Charge That the PI"" is
TO Forever Prevent the C"mh""
peonIe from Participating in Man
agement OF Public Affairs.

sTATESVIILB. y. c.. October 10
Senator Pritchard spoke here last hshl
In regard 10 the proposition to amend
the provisions of the State Constitution
prescribing the qualifications for electors.
This amendment constituted, he said, the
most important question presented 10 The
people since the war. The Constitution
OF 1868. framed by the Republican party
guaranteed free suffrage to the rich, the
moor. and the educated alike. There had
never been a moment since its adoption
declared the Senator. when it had not
been the intention of the Democratic
party TO- DO all IN its power. should The
opportunity present itself. TO amend the
Constitution so as to restrict the right
90 suffrage and II possible prevent the
poor and lliterate white people from
exercising that right. The people were
confronted with q proposition TO eiheho
tle Constitution, which would, IN ms
Judgment disfranchise the poor ana IL
lfarate classes OF both races.
"There u.s." he said. "much Of the pro-
posed amendment which is calculated to
create apprehension and alarm on the
pant ~ the Hiterate and poor white peo-
re ~ North Carolina. as well as the
D.'nr.d race Ii is carefully-prepared
and well-devised scheme. by which lt IL
t0ueht forever TO prevent the common
r.rio Of North Carolina from paruci-
r.ftr, i'm the management and control
rf her affairs. While it is pretended by
those who advocate the proposed anne mo
mont that its object is TO secure Whi'e
surrcmacy. at the same time theie l"lh9
beneath the surface purpose I" -
franchise thousands Of our cl'lzchs' 49,
white and colored. and thereby enable
certain class i'm the state TO hold the
Offices and enjoy the emolumenls OF NV
same. The proposition which they pro-
pose 10 submit IS an attempt 10 CONFER
me right Of suffrage by Inheritance d
plan which IS repugnant 20 every prihci
pie Of the organic law OF the lahd. anu
one which ignores all that IS sacred anu
dear 20 a free and independent peopie'
RACE QUESTION NOT INVOLVED.
The proposed amendment viii not in the
slightest degree affect the race quesuOh'
he said The Democrats will contend that
there is a race question as long as any
number Of negroes vote against the Dem
orrquc marty The wave of prosperity anu
general business revival. together with
mo fact that the Spanish war had once
u0rs reunited our country and prompted
$40 southern people with desire 10 sus-
tain President Mckinley In his EFFORTS 10
bring TO a speedy termination the war IN
ths philippines. the Senator said. has
alarmed the leaders Of the Democracy
and caused them 10 resort TO the aglta-
lion Of the race question in order TO blind
tho southern people. and prevent them
from considering the splendid results That
have followed Republican legislation.
In closing he said he regarded the pro
posed amendment as an attemlt TO legal
ne the methods and practices Of the Dem,
ocrato party that have obtained Ia al
elections IN the past.