The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-01-29
THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMEND.
MENT-INTERVI WITH
JUDGE CONNOR.

So far it has made no mistake. 1t has
gone forward prudently, conservatively
and safely, even when it was compelled
to be radical in uprooting evils.
1t will enact other measures to give
Good Government and white supremacy
to the people for the next two years,
but all its legislation will confer only
temporary blessing unless it is followed
by the submission Of q Constitutional
amendment eliminating the constant
menace of the unrestricted suffrage of
the one hundred thousand ignorant negro
voters.
For two weeks the leaders of both
houses have been preparing an amend
ment to the Constitution which is now
being considered in caucus by the whole
body of the Democratic majority. The
amendment is the result, not only of
two weeks thought and labor of the COM
mittee, for the men who drafted the
amendment have been studying the ques.
ton in all its respects and bearings since
November The large and able COM
mittee has sought the advice and coun-
sci of many of the ablest lawyers in the
State, in and out of the General Assem-
bly,. They have also studied the de-
bates that attended the adoption of the
Constitution in South Carolina, Missis-
sppi and Louisiana, and they have
sought the trend of national public
sentiment in the Cullom bill for the
government of Hawaii and the plans for
the government of our new possessions
With all the lights before them, the
result has been the preparation of the
amendment which we print in full
elsewhere 1t has been largely pattern,
ed after the new Constitution of Louis
lana, excluding the property qualification
contained in the Louisiana Constitu
ton. There were those who favored the
property qualification because it would
give the ballot to those thrifty negroes
who had accumulated property, but
could not read and write. After mature
consideration, however, it was decided
that there would be valid objection upon
the part of many good citizens to max
ing difference between men because
OF their possessions, and the committee
before presenting the measure to the
caucus decided not to have any require
ment except education and the payment
of the poll tax. The latter is so hedged
about as TO prevent its becoming a
source of expense to candidates. 1t
might not be unwise for the General
Assembly at this session or the next to
enact law making it unlawful for one
man to pay another's poll tax.
The amendment does not conflict with
the fifteenth amendment of the Federal
and is better than the Miss
issippi and-South Carolina methods be-
cause it is self-executing, and caves
no open door for any election officer to
deprive any man of his vote. Under its
provisions, no man who voted in 1867,
vote in that year, can be disfrancaised.
His right to vote depends upon nothing
except the payment of the poll-tax, il
not beyond the age. Others can vote
only by showing that they are compe.
tent through an educational test. While
this will result in the disfranchisement
of many negro voters, it viii not dis
franchise any educated negro Under
it, every negro who could vote in Mass
aehusetts can vote in North Carolina.
There is no doubt that the amendment,
after careful consideration, will be
adopted substantially as presented to
the caucus, and ratified by majority
Of 10000 votes at the general election
in 1900. The last campaign convinced
all thoughtful people that with 10000
negro voters entitled to vote, neither
nor personal security and safe
t. were sure of protection ia North
Carolina, not because the mass of igno
rant voters desired to destroy the State
but because their ignorance and solidity
enabled bad men TO use them for .hcir
corrupt and base ends. For their own
good in the long run, as well as for
the good Of the State, they must be de-
prived of the use of an instrument
which they have used in their blindness
TO pull down the temple of good soTern-
ment upon themselves as well as upon
the educated and intelligent people OF
the State. 1t will be taken from them
in no spirit of hostility, but in The
spirit that actuates father when he
takes dangerous tool from his son who
has not learned to use it.
We are glad to present this morning
an interview with Hon. II. G.. Conner
Speaker Of the House upon the neces'
sity and the effect of the amendment to
gether with his positive conviction that
it is not in conflict with the fifteenth
amendment OF the Federal Constitutions