The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1900-06-28
Such Designs and Purposes

( 1898 . warning to the effect that
the people intrusted the Democrat
, organization and machine with
power In this State,
hat organization and machine would
eek to enact such measures as would
estrict and nullify the suffrage of
he people of the State. regardless
# condition or race.
When that warming Was being
ounded. the democratic organizs-
ion and msenine denounced it rs
alse and malicious, and they uttered
hrou ugh their committee and through
heir papers the most vigorous and
vehement denisls The people Of the
state are now familiar with soue of
hose "denials," and they are uni
familiar with the conditions
md questions which now confront
hem.
Every prophecy and prediction
made by the Peoples Party as to
what the democratic organization
.nd machine would do has been full
filled in the face Of the most remark
ABLY strong "denials" ever made by
any organization.
The Peoples Psrty, through it's
committee and it's press, cow and
here SOUNDS ANOTHER WARNING. and
it is this:
If the democratic organisation and
machine shall be Entrusted with
governmental power in this STATE
at the comirg August election,
that organic alton will seek to
further restrict and nullify the
suffrage Of the people by the impo
sition Of PROPERTY QUALIFICATION.
We declare our belief that such
course is the determined purpose
and end of the democratic ma
chiue, and we predict that if that
machine he given the power, 1t will
undertake., and perhaps succeed in,
such an effort.
OR course that orga niSation and
machine will be as active and as ve-
hement in denouncing and denyin &
this prediction as it was when the
p ople's Party predicted that the
very conditions which the people
now face would be attempted. To
any intelligent and unprejudiced cit
izen, however, srch denisls wsll be
of no avail.
The suffrs &c amendment as it was
introduced originally in the Lseisla.
ture of 1899, included q property
quail cation. 1t was at first the pur-
pose and Intention of the Legislature
TO submit this property qualification,
together with such restrictions On
suffrage as are included in the
amendment that was submitted.
But q question arose among tine
machine members o. that body as &c
what it would be possible to force
upon the people at one time, and If
ter a wrangle, and much disputing
it was agreed that a"graudfather'
qualification, an educational qualif
cation, and property qualification
combined. would be too much to at
tempt at once.
Nothing makes this assertion clear
or than the remarks of Speaker Cou
nor, who, at the close of the sessi, n
made an address to the House il
which be said:
There were, Of course, differences
of opinion in regard to the wlses,
and best manner of dealing with
the question. These differences
have been discussed fully and can
didly, and mutual concessions ha Y.
been made, and after long and Ia
borious efforts, the intensity oil
which will never be known save BY
those who engaged in them. a com.
mon position was reached, result
ing in the proposed amendment t,
the Constitution. That it il NOT
PERFECT, none know better or ap'
preciate more fully than ourselves
that it is the best possible ou,eom.
of the situation, we believe to be
true. We also believe that it i.
the BASIS UPON WHICH We may u
able to build 8 SAFE, STABLE anC
INTELLIGENT SYSTEM of suffrage
in this State"
(Sse page 1860, House J,urnal
| 1897
Note clearly here that Judge CON
nor declares that the proposed
amendment Is the RESULT OF DIFF
FERENOEs. THE INTENSITY OF wHIoE
WILL NEVER BE KNOWN SAVE By
THOSE WHO ENGAGED IN THEM"
Note further, that Judge Conno1
declares that the proposed amend
ment as it stands IS NOT PERFECT
Note further, that Judge Conner
declares that the amendment, as i,
now stands, is the BASIS up On whics
q safe, stable aad intelligent systan
OF suffrage may be built in this Sta to
1t cannot be expected that men o,
parties, entertaining designs of an.
kind upon the people, will u g such
language and phrases as will clearly
disclose their purposes.
The above extract from Judge
Conner is something that was clear
ly understood by the party maehine
t. mean that the END HAD NOT VIM