New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-10-03
THE NoPrH clRoLvl AMENDMENT.

THE NORIU flHOLINI IWfNDHiNI-
The Hon. Richmond Pearson. who repre-
scented the Ashcyinc district Of North Carolina
in the LINth and LNth Congresses and who is
now contestant for seat in the LNIth con
grcss. has recently published In "Thp AShc-
willie Gazette" an elaborate and crushing in
dictment Of the now suffrage tests proposed TO
be embodied in the North Carolina Constitution.
Mr. Pearson is Southern Republican of char
actcr and education. whose career I'm the House
has been an exceptionally promising and cred
liable one; and his opinion will carry weight be
yond as well rs within the Carolina borders.
The Tribune has already called attention To the
conflict which, through the establishment of
tests based con racc. color and previous condi-
ton Of scrvitudc" the trainers of the proposed
amendment have invited with the guarantees
Of the Federal Constitution. Mr.. Pcarsons ar
raignment of the suffrage restriction scheme
goes even further and deeper; for he effectively
exposes not only its betrayal of Federal pledges
but IT'S violation Of the express terms of the
present state Constitution and lis attempted
denial to the qualified voters Of North Carolina
Of stipulated and fundamental political priyi-
leges
As Mr. Pearson shows. North Carolina was
rcadmitted into the Union i'm lNGN on the con
dtion that the terms of her constitution, adopt
cd few months earlier should never be
changed so as To deprive any citizen or class Of
citizens Of the right Of suffrage. by Inserting
IN the proposed amendment the so-callcd
"grandfather clause" which eXcmptS from the
operation of both the illitcracy and polltaX re-
QuircmcntS all persons having ancestors quail
fed 10 exercise the suffrage prior 10 1866. the
North Carolina Legislature plainly rcsortcd 10
a discrimination forbidden 10y the XVIII Fed
eral Amendment ny the rcadmission lceSla-
ton of Congress. and 10y the terms Of the con
sttution ratified in 1NGS as a condition of re-
entry into the Union. 70 emphasize the futilty
Of such discrimination Mr. Pearson quotes
a strict construction Southern lawyer like Sen
ator Gallery. Of Louisiana. rs saying: This
'provsion Ghe grandfather exemption creates
"a privileged class. If the legislature Of North
"Carolina has accepted # believe that II will
find it's work undone a. soon rs the matter is
drought before the United states supreme
"Court"
The Asheyillc Congrcssman's other striking
point against the new suffrage scheme Is that
It seeks TO Introduce into North Carolina an
election system patterned after the infamous
Gocbel law by This system The Legislature
chooses seven discreet persons" all of one
political party If 50 desired. who. as n board of
elections. Immediately assume control Of the
entire electoral machinery Of the state. They
appoint all county election officers. and re-
ceivc count and announce all election returns.
Participation in an election thus becomes for
the voter not right. secured 10y legal Guarln-
tees. but mere favor. enjoyable M the within
Of an irresponsible supervising board Dcscrib-
Ing the scope and purpose of the Gochcl law in
Kentucky. "Thc Louisville Couricr-Journal"
once said that under its operations the State
became "the subject Of "a tiumvirate. which
lis 10 decide who shall hold office and who
shall not" I'm Kentucky the minority party
In the Legislature has at least onc-tlird repre-
scntaton on the State Election Board But UNI
der the new North Carolina system. aS Mr.
Pearson points ont the opposition may Dee de
priyed Of even this negative check on force ana
fraud Evidently no recent Democratic effort
20 smother and corrupt the suffrage goes The
length Of partisan holiness and uickcry at
tempted In the pending North Carolina expert
mcnt An approval Of the restriction scheme is
therefore 10 Dee sincerely deprecated. rs sitting
free and wholesome politics In a State which
has hitherto been Singulary exempt from the
abuses Of a distorted and meaningless suffrage