Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1899-02-23
A HISTORY MAKING DAY.
Suffrage Amendment Passed
House by Over Three Fifths
"a Majority.

House by Over Three Fifths
"a Majority
Daily Argus of Saturday.
The House yesterday passed
! the suffrage bill by over three
ffths majority. The debate was
opened by Mr.. Geo. Rountree,
chairman of the committee that
reported the bill.
The bill before the House was,
he said, substitute for the orr
ginal Winston bill, prepared by
! the committee.
"Not, however, without earnest
study of conditions and many
concessions. 1t is, as all such
instruments are a compromise
measure. But, it is a measure
approved by all the members of
the committee, by all the lawyers
of this body and by those out of
it who have examined it.
cit is, in short, a just, legal and
effective measure for securing to
North Carolina the blessings of
good government for many years
to come.
In the early years of this young
republic, under, the enthusiasm
caught from the French republic,
men dreamed of a political millen-
ium based upon universal suffrage.
For awhile it did seem as if some
day that dream might blossom
into reality. But thirty years
ago and more, the negro was en-
franchised. No doubt many of
those who assisted in this thought
they were doing right. But now
we know it was most egregious
mistake, mistake that amounted
to crime. Since that time even
the heartiest enthusiast has seen
his hopes wither, and year by
year they have lost faith in their
panacea. Recent events have ac-
CELEBRATED this change in sentiment
until to-day we find many States
putting into their constitutions
limitations upon the right of
suffrage.
''Louisiana, Mississippi, South
Carolina, Massachusetts, and ther
States have laws similar to this.
In Hawaii the National govern
ment has very much abridged the
right to vote; while in Cuba only
about 20 per cert. of the people
are said to be fitted for exercising
the elective franchise. And in the
Philippines the right to vote will
be still more abridged, for the
reason that the people there do not
know how TO use it wisely.
ssThe results of the last four
years in North Carolina, and es-
pecially of the last two years,
have completely demonstrated the
fact that the negro Is untitled for
self government. You all know
the conditions that have prevailed.
The conditions in my own county
were simply intolera BILE. But I
shall not stop here to rehearse
that: It has often been told In the
newspapers of this and other
States. But it teaches me this
that something must be done. The
problem must be solved, and
solved in just, humane and legal
way.
in doing this we. were met
with two diff culties. Ga the one
side was the Constitution of the
United States, on the other was
the illiterate white voter. These
latter must not be disfranchised
Among them are some of the
States best Scitizens-men who
have fought and iabored. for their
Fcountry, built its very founda-
tions and builded we'll. They are
as capable of self-government.
Mr.. Speaker, as you or l aud
must<not be disfranchised. Zap.
plause
Mr.. Rountree explained in detail
the provisions ofsthe amendment,
which is printed elswhere, and
gave the reasons that influenced
the committee in drafting the
amendment.
Strong speeches were male in
Opposition by the three colored
members Of the legislature, and
after several other speeches pro
and con, and just before the vote
was. taken, the Speaker recognized
Mr.. Winston, Of BERTHE, the intro
lducer ,ofs the resolution upon
which the amendment before the
| House was based.
| ssIf there is .one sentiment now
beating in the hearts of-the people
of NORTH Carolina" he began, .sit
listhat they <have liberty or death.
They prefer liberty. (Applause.
i ~ssI will not discuss the consti-
tutional. side Of this question.
That has already been done by one
| of North ,Carolina.s ablests and
most distinguished Constitutions
lawyers.
ssNeither shall pay any atten