The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-07-27
PRACTICAL REASONS IN IA.
VOR OF THE AMENDMENT.
discussion by Ex-Gov. T. J. Jarvis.)

discussion by Ex-Gov. T. !. Jarvis.)
In this discussion I shall assume that
the proposed amendment is not in con.
flict with the Constitution of the Uni
ted States. 1t is similar to the prOvis-
ions of the Constitution of Louisiana
which has been passed upon and pro-
nounced constitutional by some OF the
ablest lawyers in the United States. 1t
was passed by a legislature composed
of many of the ablest lawyers of this
State. The American system of gov
eminent leaves the question of suf
frage very largely with the States. and
the Supreme Court Of the United
States has recently affirmed and up
held this doctrine in passing upon the
new constitution of Mississippi, which
contained provisions restricting and
regulating suffrage. SO nOtwithstand-
ing the condemnation of the amend
ment by few Republican lights, who
have been dragged from Obscurity by
the negro VOTE. l shall assume the
amendment to be constitutional. and
that it is within the province of the
people of North Carolina to ratify it
and make it a part of their constitu-
ton if they see proper to do SO.
THE PEOPLE TO DETERMINE.
The Legislature has performed its
part in preparing and passing the pro-
posed amendment to be voted on. 1T
now remains for the people to say
whether it shall be ratified or not. If
majority of the votes cast shall be
against it that ends it. If majority
shall be for it then it will become a
part of our constitution. SO the whole
question and responsibility is now
with the people. 1t is for them to say
what shall be done with it. And in
making up their minds and arriving
a: their conclusions they have ample
time to consider this great question
in all its bearings upon the future pol
icfes and interests of their State. Much
will probably be written and spoken
for and against the amendment before
the day of voting comes. 1t will be
we'll for the conservative. thoughtful
people to take these arguments and
reasons, consider them and then vote
as they be convinced is for the best
interest of themselves. their homes and
their State. If anything I may say
in this article shall aid any one in his
consideration of this great question
then il will not have been written in
vain.
In order to treat this question as
Mainly and at the same time as com
prehensively as possible in brief ar
ticle. l shall discuss it under the three
following general propositions:
First. Its effect upon the States
white population.
Second It's effect upon the States
colored population.
f1nn tn TO- =
general policies and industries.
EFFECT ON WHITE MEN.
now ask the reader to consider the
effect of this amendment, if adopted,
upon the white people Of the State.
And first of all 1 assert it does not dis
franchise i single white man who is
now a qualified voter. Not one Nor
will it ever disfranchise a single white
voter whose name goes OH the regis
tration books prior to January 1st.
l!OS. Not one. Every white man
who is a qualified voter now will CON
time to be so as long as he lives. so
far as this amendment affects his
right to vote. Every young man ar
irving at full age before January LIST.
1908. can register and vote IL he puts
his name on the registration books be-
fore that date, and he will continue to
he a voter as long as he lives. Then
what class Of white men can it AFFECT?
answer, only those who become ri
years old after January LIST, 1908. and
who will not learn to read and write
I say will not because there IS not a
white boy in the State who cannot
learn to read and write if he will.
Every boy will understand that to be
a voter he must be able to read and
write. and he will have a motive to
study and learn that much. and have
no doubt he will do it. There is DO