Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-07-31
CLOSE Polls TO NEGRO.

A dispatch from Charlotte, n. c.,
says there is not shadow of doubt
that at next Thursdays election the
peop'e Of North Carolina will ratify the
constitutional amendment passed by
the last legislature and elect a demo
cratic Legislature and full State ticket
by 10000 majority.
The amendment provides for the
elimination Of the ignorant o. gro voter
without dsfranchisiDg the unlettered
white man. This is accomplished by
abolishing article 6 OF the State consti-
tuition aDd inserting in its stead pre- =
vision that every voter shall be able to
read and write any section OF the COR
stitution 10 the Eoglsh language, ex-
cept such as were voters prior to 1867
or descendants OF such persons. These
unlettered, voting whites must regis er
prior to 1908. Alter that time all per-
sons, black or whit, desiring to reeis-
ter, will ve required to stand the edu-
cstional test.
This amendment, if ratified, is to
take feet July /, 1902. The reason
for the passage Of the amendment is
found in fusion of the republicans an6
populi5ts, by which the balance of DOW
sr is centred in the 1l5, 900 negro voters
who, almost to q man, obey the white
republican leaders.
Fusion was successful in North Care
ina in 1896, and for two years the east
ern section of the S ate Was subjected TO
the Odium Of negro offict holders to such
an txent that after the campaign Of
1898 had been fought on the race ques-
tlon, strongly democratic Legislature
Ras elected.
After long deiiberatioD it was decided
10 attempt forever to prevent a recur-
renee of fusion rule by removing the
negro from politics, and to this end the
constitutional amendment, patterned
after the Louisiana provision, was sub
miLted to the voters. 1t is calculated
mat by this provision $4,000 negroes
will be disirsnchised.
The negroes have in some sections
refrained from registering, probably 3O. =
600 making no effort TO qualify them
selves. The republicans put many Of
their speakers in the western part OF the
State TO work upon the fears OF the un-
educated white man, but their efforts
along this line are practically without
effect.
Rumors OF au influx of large cam
Daign fund, to be used on the legisl e
i've ticket, on election day, are genera ,
out tho democrats regard the question
as simply one of majority.
A few days ago the republican ard
populist State tickets were consolidate d
10 a desperate effort TO carry the Legit
lature, which will elect a successor t.
Marion Butler, pOpulist. DIR. Cyrus
Thompson, populiet nominee for Gov
ernor, issued an open letter announcing
his retirement 10 favor OF Adams, re-
publican, but concediDg that the elec'
ton won d fail to Aycock, democrat.
II the amendment shall succeed, snC
il it be- not declared unconstitutioDsl
by the Supreme Court OF the United
States, there is lille doubt that Cover
nor Daniel Russell, republican, will be
the last of bis party 10 hold the Office
of Governor in this State for many
yeas. oo
For the past month at least 1000
speeches day have been made in th,
| State, and people are aroused to such =
| pitch tbal bloodshed is feared. Iu many
eas ern counties the Red Shirts" hav'
declined to allow fusion campaigner'
10 speak.
100 account of threats by Senator But
Ter and his followers to prevent The
election, by Injunction or other methods
4 ,e Legislature will convene at Raleigh
omorrow, and adjourn from day to da,
til election day.