The Washington weekly post., 1900-12-18
Wednesdays Proceedings.


Senator Pritchard. q North Carolina.
si.l not support the Crumpscker bii,
vHieh provides that the CongTes ssionai rep
rezertation - the Southern States shan
D. reduced. .
Mr Prltchard takes this position because
D. does net believe that Congress now
posEoEscs the authority 20 reduce North
CarOuEa's representation. and caa never
exercise such power until IL Is ascer'ained
that a number OF the citizens Of that state
have been denied the right 10 vote. Ar.
Prtcharj. IN discussing the matter with
a representative OF The Post yesterday,
called attention 90 the fact that KeRrt-
sentative CrJmpacker relies upon section
z OF the fourteenth amendment, when
provides lot The reduction OF rfpreaeuta-
lion when the hight 10 vote is denied CT
iu any way Abridged. except for paruci-
patton iH rebellion OF any other crime
This section" said Senator PritchaId,
docs rot undertake 20 confer Cpcn Con
rTtss the authority 10 act until II SHAH
appear by ascertainmeEt ia an Cficiai
manner that a number OF our citizens
have been denied the right 10 vote. This
has not been done. and upon the face or
our election returns u does not appear
that a aGnicicnt number OF our citizens
have bc,l denied the night TO vote % JUS
iID che wholesale reduction when Is gro
posed b. Mr. Crumpscker's bill.
Has v araed Democratic Leaders.
III the amendment % the North Caro-
Ina constitution should be declared con
sttutlpnaI, and honestly enforced, ali col
0rrd voters who could read and wfite
would be- entitled 10 vote. which would en-
able az least 5000 OF the cOlored race TO
exercise the elective franchise. The bill
pg0vlGcs that our representation shall be
reduced 10 fiyc members. ard Is IN his re-
spect maulfestly unjust. j have repeated
Iy warned the leaders OF the democratic
party that We might expect legislation of
this character II they persisted IA Cery-
ing 10 our people the rights 20 which they
are entitled under the Constitution OF The
United States
This bill is also in the nature OF a
confession that the government OF the
United States does not possess sufficient
power 10 protect its citizens In the en-
Joyment OF their constitutional rights,
aud is practical Endorsement OF the con
GuCt OF those who seek 20 nullify the If
teenth amendment.
There Is "A revolution Of public senti-
ment in progress IN North Carolina, and
! am satisfied that Republicanism has a
iirmer icothhold IN that State to-day
Than at any time since 1872. The Repub-
hcans are ready and anxious TO join hands
with all persons who are interested In the
industrial welfare OF our State. During
this administration every branch Of indus
try in that section has prOspered immeas-
uTaby, and l believe that a great majOr-
ity Of our people are willing TO vote for =
continuance or existing conditions.
Not an Equitable pleasure.
'T do not wish to be understood as tax
Ing the position that the Republican party
ought 10 tamely submit to the wrongs
that are perpetrated in the South in the
name OF white supremacy but at the
same time ] must insist that any measure
which has for its object he suppression o.
election outTages should be fair an6
equitable in its provisions. The majority
OF the people OF the State of North Caro-
lima are conservative and patriotic, and ]
have an abiding faith in their honesty oi
purpose, believing as / do that the day IS
not FAR distant when ballOt-boX suffers
and their aiders and abettors will be
condemned by an overwhelming majority
OF The voters of that State In other
words. the good people of North Carolina
ought not 70 suffer in consequence of
the unwise conduct of those whose sole
object Is to control the offices in utter dis
regard Of the wishes of a majority OF our
people"