The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1900-08-02
CHAIRMAN
Butler
interviewed by Correspondent Of
the Baltimore Sun.
ON THE POLITICAL SITUA.
TION.

ON THE POLITICAL SITUA
TION.
In North Carolina-His Views and Opin
ions Fully Expressed on Co-operatios
and the Amendmene-Conserv Es
innate OF the Voting Strength Of tn.
Three Parties Shows Up the Hypocri.
81 Of the Simmons Machine
A few days ago, Mr.. Peasants, q
special correspondent Of the Balti
more Sun, came in North Carolins
to write up the Political Situation
He hasded a list of questions to the
Peoples Party Chairman and to
the Democratic Chairman, and re-
quested their answers to be pub
lished In the Sun on Tuesday.
We have not seen the Sun Of that
date, but below we give the ques-
ttons he handed to Chairman But
ler and his answers:
QUESTION. W Extent Of Pspu-
list. Republican fusion on State.
County, and Legislative ticket, and
against Amendment. Estimated
strength.
ANSWER. Complete and harmo-
NOUS co operation all over the State
on all tickets. Estimated strength
1S5, 5000, less about 10000 legally
qualified voters denied registration,
making net strength in election 1861
600. As to the Amendment, the
vote against 1t will be larger than
the combined cooperative strength.
@. (2 Objections to constitutional
amendment from . legal ndroint?
An. The Grandfather clause clearly
violates the 18th Amendment. a.
That If the amendment stands or falls
a. q whole. as the Democrats declare
that 1t will, then if adopted, it must
fall as whole for two reasons, Ist.
that il the "grsndfather clause" +"
does not discriminate against the ne
gro on account Of race or color, it
does on account of previous condi.
tion of servitude, and for the other
reason that while it discriminates
against the negro 1t seeks to discrim-
mate IN favor of the white man and
confer upon him hereditary privi-
lrge, which Is clearly prohibited by
Article l section 3 Of the State Con
stitution, (the Bill Of Rights; and.
admitting that it will fall as whole
every man who votes for it violates
his oath to support the Constitution.
But suppose it all stands together
as the Democrats declare it will. yet
the inc vi able result is the disfran.
ehise ement of all illiterate white men
who come of age after December 1gt, /,
1908, and the Acknowledgement of all
negroes of age before that date and
coming of age after that date who
possess the educational qualification.
In addition to the boys twelve years
old and under who will be disfran.
chised. at once every white man
born outside of the United States
unable to meet the qualifications will
be disfrancbfsfd, and the sons OF
aliens, though born in North Caro-.
lima will be disfranchised If they do
not possess the educational oualif-
cation, and thousands of others. in
cludine all who are unfortunately
born out Of wedlock, and who there
fore in law have no father or grand
father. being the liniel descendants
Of nobody. If this is not true, then
every mulatto boy or man in the
State will he protected by the law
and permitted to vote.
But the "grandfather clause" Of
The proposed amendment is not only
unconstitutional. but the courts will
declare 1t void, leaving the remain
der of the amendment, which will
constitute complete and constitu.
tiOnal scheme of limiting suffrage to
stand. Such grest constitutions
lawyers and statesmen as Senators
Teller, Stewart. Edmnnds, Allen,
Pettigrew, McEnery. Caffery, and
dozens of others declare in written
opinions, that this will be the result.
II so. then the adoption of this
amendment means the disfrauehise-
ment not only of all the white per-
sons referred IN above. hnt IN addi-
ton from 40 600 to 80 600 illiterate
white voters in the State at once.
q. (3 Purpose and scope of "red
shirt" movement.
An. To intlmidate and suppress the
opposition vote.and besides to pre-
vent free discussion In some Sec
tions. The Democratic committee hav
ing declined proposition for joint
discussion Of these questions on eve-
rv stump in the State. is forced to
resort to fraud and force and appeal
to prejudice and even preventing
single handed discussie n by the op-
position in order that their own vo-
ters may not hear the truth. This is
confined chic dv to q narrow strip
along the South Carolina border,
comprising the 9th Congressional
district. and extending beyond Will.
mington through a half dozen couu-
ties in the Eastern part OF the State.
@, az Appointment of judges of
election. How many negroes selec-
ted. Auticipatad results in white
counties. Feeling in Western coun-
ties.
An. The Election Law provides that
there shall be three judges of cleo
ton in every voting precinct, the
registrar being one. and that not
more than two Of these shall belong
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