The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-19
SENATE PASSES AMENDMENT BY
VOTE OF SEVEN TO ONE.
Every Democrat Voted For, and Every Repub-
lican Against it and the Populists Split
Even-Senators Fields, Glenn
and Travis Spoke for
White Men.

SudFu Ol supporters. lie was
glad to be able to vote against
the amendment. He believed that Vance
would oppose it were he alive. Tha
amendment was unfair, it was wrong
and he would never give a vote that had
the appearance of DISTINGUISHING any
one black or white We had offered
our freedom to the world. Let us not
change it at this late day.
Senator Collie said he Thought it un-
wise to submit an amendment at this
time. His people were not demanding
it; but he would yield to the wishes Of
his party and vote aye"
Senator Crisp said he had no desire
to apologize for his vote He had not
voted at first to enfranchise the negro.
But now he was pledged to vote
against any amendment to disfranchise
the negro or any one else.
Senator Fields said different times
brought new demands. The amend
ment was not greatly needed in his
district, but when he came to the Sen
ate he forgot. the needs of his little dis
trict for the larger needs of the whole
State. He was a member of the Legis-
lature when the last constitutional con-
vention was called. Then as now he
voted for it, The interests of North
Carolina demand betterment of our
organic law; in accordance with the de-
mand of the only people who make North
Carolina worthy the name of State be
would support the measure. He voted
"aye."
Senator Franks said the amendment
had taken him by surprise. He had not
expected the vote on it so soon. The
bill hit the poor man twice. 'I1e has
to have a poll tax receipt. He has to
have $500 worth of property" Several
Senators interjected that there was no
such provision, to the visible discomi-
ture of the Senator from Swain. He de-
clared that no educational qualification
was required of the man who worked
the roads or toted a musket He voted
no"
Senator Glenn said it was the proud
est vote he had ever cast in his life.
For it he had no apology to offer. The
white men of the State had no opportu-
nifty to vote when the negro was en-
franchiSed. 1t had been forced upon
them while their hands were tied. Sen
ator Crisp asked if the negro was re-
sponsible for being enfranchised. Sena-
tor Glenn replied that it had been done
by men with white skins and black
hearts. He declared that the amend
ment would act as Il stimulus and iii
l90S when it took effect every 10y
would be able to read and write. He
had made no promise to his opponent.
He was sent by his people to do what
he was doing to-day, to uphold the
white flag, not the mixed flag over North
Carolina. He cast his vote for the
glory of his State, and in the name
of the grand wOmanhod Of North Caro-
lima.
Senator Hicks said that he was op-
posed to DISTINGUISHING any white man
but as every white man would have an
opportunity to vote under the amend
ment he did not hesitate TO vote for it.
Senator Mcintyre said it mad been
charged that the amendment would
disfranchise whites and negroes. If it
dlsfranchised single white man lie
would not vote for it, Ii should be en-
titled an act to promote popular educa-
tlon, that would be the effect of u. No
more campaigns like the last were
wanted; they endangered the property,
the integrity and the nltrailoOd of the
State
Senator Robinson said that this was Il
white mans government and he proposed
TO vote to keep it such.
Senator Travis Spoke next. He said:
Il had intended not to discuss this bill
today, because forty-three of the fifty
members of this body have already heard
1t debated ably and eXhaustively in our
caucus, and a repetition would be tedi-
GUS to them; but deeming it unjust to
this body that the remarks of the oppo-
sition should go to the public without
reply, | will notice them briefly
And in the first place | want to rcfute
the imputation of the Senator from
Warren that the majority is actuated i'll
this measure by any feelings of unkind-
ness for the negro. The great Demo
cratic party of North Carolina, made
up as itsis of the noblest element of the
Anglo-Saxon race in this State, is inca.
pable of STOPPING SO low-Of doing so
mean Il thing as the enactment of any
statute from impulses of spite or resent
ment. The white people of North Caro-
lima are too great. and too magnanlmous
to entertain for moment any feeling so
belittling as resentment towards an IN
ferior and ignorant race.
No, Mr.. President. we are actuated
only by those high and generous senti-
ments that alone are worthy of Il great
people-to do what in our opinion IS
right in the eyes of heaven, and for
the eyes of heaven and for the highest
interest of every man, woman and child
i'll the State white and black.
The negro himself cannot now see lt
so, but theaproposed act is the very best Z
thing thaNcan be done for him now.
(CoAtinued on Third Page.L