Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1900-05-24

portion of illiteracy among the whites
IN this city aid he said
We have not many illiterate white
people, of the total registration for
the city election in November there
were 36,7l3 white voters who signed
their names-made out their own ap-
DEcation and $50 who made their
marks That is to say. only $50 voters
IN this city registered under the grand
fathers clause, OF the / 1868 negroes
registering, all except twelve regis
istered by having the educational
qualification, five under the property
qualifications, and seven under the
grandfather clause. These seven ne
groes came forward anu made aff-
dayit that their fathers or grandfath-
ors could vote in 1867 and no ques-
tons were asked. 1t may be that they
swore falsely. but this seven were
permitted 70 register rather than raise
the issue.
| next asked Mr.. Gleason this Ques-
| tion: Have any illiteratc white meE
/ in New Orleans been denied the privi-
/ loge Of voting because they could not
] read and writc?" He understood the
None whatever. Every white man
] who wants to vote is permitted to
vote, Public sentiment is such that
no man in politics would attempt to
/ throw obstacles in the way Of an IL
| literate white mans voting Practi
cally all who couldn't read and write
registered under the grandfather
| clause in the time prescribed by law
and is on a permanent roll Of qualified
voters, and is guaranteed the right to
vote all his life
mo white man-none whatever
have been disfranchsed
What has been the result Of the
adoption of your new constitution on
the elections asked Mr. Gleason.
Here is his answer:
Election, are now absolutely fair.
The most bitter enemy has been un-
able TO SgbStantiatc a charge OF the
least unfairnc3s The opposition. AZ
ter election wcrc forced to say. We
havn't a word TO say There Is not
4 suspicion Of unfairness about our
elections. I believe that the registra-
tion in this city is the clcaneet o' any
city on the continent
was anxious also 20 ascertain
from Mr. Gleason whether the amend
ment had had any effect on the party
primaries. and he said:
= II had a splendid effect upon the
primaries Of the dominant tthe Demo
cratic) party. men who hadn't gone
into a primary since the days Of Re-
construction went into our last city
primaries Tho recognized tha. fair
play would be had and that cleaner
politics had followed the adoption OF
the amendment We had some bitter
and close fights in some ~ the wards
and those who heretofore held aIoor
from them participated with good re-
suits
As 70 the constitli'lonality Of the
amendment. Mr. Gleason said There
has never been any serious suggestion
~. testing its constitutional!iy The
liiy white Republican party claim they
are satisfied with IT, Privately 'he Re-
p4blcans say that the amendment Ia a
good thing, but publicly they cant az
ford 20 say f."
When the amendment was ar.
proposed, were some Of the uued0cat-
q while people afraid Il would dis
franchise them? vas ny nex, Quss-
Ion. N- Gleason said
IL took f~o years 10 educate the
people Of Louisiana l.p 10 the poin.
tina. il would rot result in the ds.ran-
l.=ernert of any white people Now
they al sac = and like IL and wouIdn Z
: 90 back 10 old conditions under any
circumstances This is az true Of the
unedueated portion as OF the educated
portion of our population.