The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-19

that was the vote in the Senate that
yesterday knitted the fortunes of the
Democratic party to a reform of the
suffrage in North Carolina.
The Democrats went about the
matter seriously, as beftted its
gravity, but with nothing oe
hesitation or of doubt. Every Dem
ocrat present voted aye" and, so far
as the representatives of the party in the
upper house is concerned, a united front
will be presented in the serious struggle
yet to come-when the issue will have
to be forced in the face of all the 0p
position that political cunning can de-
wise.
. Though it was not generally known
that the Senate would take vote on
the amendment yesterday, it got abroad
that it had been sent over from the
House and made a special order for
noon. The galleries were filed to the
last inch of standing room when the
hour for consideration came. The floor
and lobbies were crowded with specta
tors, House members and distinguished
citizens to hear the vote. The dignifed
quiet usual to the Senate chamber was
lost. time and again, i'll the widest
applause as the vote and debate ON the
amendment proceeded. When Senator
Harris, Populist. voted for the amend
ment and when Senator Crisp, Republi-
can, courted demonelition at the hands
of Senator Glenn, and got it, the demon
stration was terrifc-in the one case a
tribute to the white man determined to
be white, party or no party, and in
the other to the brilliant vindication of
the Democratic position, under ire.
Against the amendment the principal
speeches We're made by Senator Camp
bell, speaking as a Western Republican,
and Senator Fuller, speaking as the
representative of the negro race.
For the amended, Senator Fields
spoke as a representative of the Democ-
racy of the West, willing to jeOpOrdiZe
personal advantage for the general good.
Senator Glenn made an eloquent defence
of the white mans position. Senator
Travis made an able argument for the
constitutionality and Justice of the
amendment.
Immediately after the reading of the
amendment Senator Goodwin, Populist,
sent up an amendment to the effect
that all persons who might be disquali-
fed under the amendment should be ex-
empt from the payment of poll tax and
from the performance of all civil and
military duties. Senator Butler asked
him if the poll tax of the disqualified
voter did not go to educate and qualify
his children. The question was not an
swered. Senator Goodwin asked that a
roll call be given him ON his amend
ment and the Senate ordered it. The
amendment was lost by a vote of 6 70
II. The question then REQUIRED upon
the amendment as sent over from the
House. Senator Fuller took the fo0r
and made a lengthy speech against it
Senator Fuller said it had fallen 10 his
lot to represent the colored people of
North Carolina on the occasion. He had
studied the characters represented on
the Senate floor. He had come to the
conclusion that before nim were some
of the brainiest men the State had pro-
duced. They brought with them their
influence and prestige. He did not be-
lieve that anything could stultify the
consciences of the Senate. He felt that
he was standing upon the solid rock
of liberty. The white inan of North
Carolina had distanced Mr.. Bryan. and
accomplished the free coinage of white
men at 40 to !. The triumphal chariot
of Democracy was drawn by two faith
full mules The black mule came from
the East and was fed on fish, oysters
and fusion Offices; the gray mule from
The West and was fed on Jim Crow
Cars. Investigations and pensions. 1t
was not necessary to pass an amend
ment. AS in the past all things needful
could be accomplished under the CON
stitution. Negro domination in North
Carolina was not possible. These are
no such conditions as in South Carolina
and Louisiana. The amendment was in
conflict with the United States
Constitution, which declares that
race shall make no differences
as to the rights of suffrage. IT
was impracticable because it would re
duce the representation in Congress. 1t
was wrong because it was aimed against
the weak, which was contrary to the
instincts of the Anglo-SaXon race. If
was contrary to the civilization and en-
of the age. To dis
franchise the negro was no adj
nit the white man was afraid
of him. The amendment would not DC
ratified. 1t was not the Democratic
party Dut lne While man III power. Iha
was not intended to disfral-
chise the whites; it was meant to crush
the negroes.
Senator Fuller alone spoke on the
before the voting began. The
rest spoke as their names were called
on the roll in explanation of their votes.
Senator Campbell was the first to en-
plain. He declared that in his district
the amendment could not get corporals