The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-03-09
Negro Vote Being Sup
pressed by Law.
VIII BE No Republican Con-
gressmen Soon in South.
ESPECIAL TO THE rREss.i

Warrington, March S.--The House this
week has been settling some contested
election cases. they are fewer In the
House than In previous years; and the
probability is that tnsy will continue to
grow fewer. The white men Of the South
have very generally got their State Con-
situations and laws so modified as to ex-
clude the negro voters, and go have re-
moved the temptations to ballot hox
stuffing and intimidation. In Mississippi,
Louisiana and South Carolina, formerly
prolific fields for contests, there are none
now. The negro voters have heen shut
out from the franchise; and on the estab-
iished basis the elections now cannot be
impeached. In Georgia the white race 10
numerically strong enough to take care
OF Its politics without troubles. But In
North Carolina Alabama ana Virginia,
there Is still left much Of the old south
ern methods. In Alabama there are Re-
publican leaders still left who can organ
ixe the oolored voters, nd give the Dsmo-
Gratis much trouble. In North Carolina
there are many able white Republicans,
and the party there has been strong
enough, with the aid Of the Populists, to
dominate the state In recent years. In
Virginia. also, there are strong white
Republicans, led by General Walker.
who commanded the Stonewall brigade
In the Confederate army.
1t Ia from these three states. where
there Ia still left some Republican
strength, that the contested elections
CONS. There is a tragedy connscte1 with
almost every one Of these cases. In thu
Alabama case OF kldrich VS. Robbins, one
of the prom inent witnesses for tie con-
testant. IVES shot dead soon after the cleo
ton. White Republicans who appeared
wearing Aldrioh buttons In Dallas ooun-
ty wee mobted. Iu North Carolina. in
that portion lying along the South Caro-
lima border. the country side was ter
rorizsi by bands of red-shirted night
riders. who came across from South Car
olins, and calling colored Republicans
from their cabins, beat them until they
promised not to vote. In Virginia. dur
ing the proceedings relating to his con-
test. General Walker had n pistol fight
with bis adversaries, and one Of them
was killed and General Walker was
wounded.
These things are not unusual, however.
They are but repetitioas OF the old stories
of the last thirty years. They are fewer
this year than usual. They will be less
next year; because the Dem o ,rAts ara
gradually eliminating Republican infiu-
ences by their laws and constitutions.
A.h he h.
state 10 feel tie influence OF restrictive
regulations. Thus the Gold Demo oratic
South is growing more solid all the time.
1t Is doubtful II there is a single Repnb-
lioRn In the next Congress from the gTea.
territory south of Maryland and Ten
nessee
The extent to which voting has ceaiei
on the part of tie masses In the south is
illustrated by figures quoted by Mr..
Barkett, of Nebraska, on the foor. Fiji.
teen Congre ssTen from the South to-
geth sr receive total Of only "a, 900 votes.
and against the whole fifteen only $50
votes were cast. There ara eight Con.
gressmen fIom the Moth each of whom
gets 40. 900 votes-as many as the whole
fifteen fron tie South.
Be,aute he operation OF laws and con-
situations are removing the DOUBTS about
elections and lesseninx thu contests on
the hooT OF the Houss Of Repre- ente-
tiyes. 1t does MT follow that IeAce Is to
reign in thu South. The disfranc hisei
masses will grow more and more imps-
tisnt. Without the ballot they will in
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