The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-01-23
NEGRO SUFFRAGE DEFENDED.
PRITCHARD ON THE NORTH CARO-
LIMA AMENDMENT.


Carolina senmtor-PoIygnmy Is to
Be InVcstignt ted--NTOre About Ma
tiomnI city DnnIS Matter-Turner ON
the Philippine Question.
Washington, Jan. 22-This was another
day Of oratory in the Senate
Mr.. Pritchard of North Carolina deliver
ed a long and carefully prepared address
upon the race question in the South, his
remarks being addressed particularly
against The proposed amendment to the
constitution of North Carolina, which, ie
enacted. he said, would disfranchise a.
large class of voters, both white and black
lie was followed by Mr.. Turner OF Wash
ington in a speech on the Philippine ques-
ton, In which he arraigned the adminis-
tration policy.
Soon after the Senate convened to-day a
Joint resolution was offered by Mr.. Platt
of New York authorizing the President
to invite the government of Great Britain
to join in the promotion OF an International
commission to examine and report on the
diversion of the waters that are the boun-
darles of the two countries. II was refers
red TO the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tons.
To Investigate P0lygamy.
Mr.. Hoar, chairman of the Judiciary
Committee, reported back the resolution
OF Mr.. Rawlins of Utah for an inquiry
upon polygamy with a recommendation
that the first and last paragraphs of the
resolutions be adopted. The report was
accepted and the resolution as amended
adopted. As passed, the resolution reads:
"To what extent polygamy il practlced
or polygamous marriages entered into In
the United States or in places over which
they have jurisdiction.
what, If any, steps should be taken or
meaures enacted for the prevention OF POI
lygamy In the United States and places
over which they nave jurisdiction"
Mr.. Allen of Nebraska offered a resolu-
tion calling upon the Secretary of the
Treasury to furnish the Senate with all
| information, consisting of correspondence
and verbal communications he may have
had with A. ID. Hepburn and other officials
of the National City Bank of New York
concerning the transmission of the Gus
tom House of New York to the National
City Bank. 1t went over under objec-
ton,
Pritchard and the Negro.
Mr. Pritchard of North Carolina called
| up his resolution. His address was in the
nature Of reply TO that delivered several
| days ago by Senator Morgan When no
| remarked that the cry of negro domlna-
| ton was the answer given to every prop-
! osition made by the Republicans, Mr.. Till
man OF South Carolina Interrupted to say
| that little else was to be expected when
| the administration continually thrust ne
gre postmasters on the people of the South.
Mr.. Pritchard-There you have II. If L
should read the Ten Commandments to
The Senator he would cry negro back at
me
ATr TflIp,an yVo eav HpIgoarI, in the
| South, not negro. Let us stick 10 thd
facts.
Mr.. Pritchard-The Senator may use
whatever expression he likes I'm satis-
| fed to use mine
| Mr. Pritchard agreed that the question:
involved the peace and welfare of the ma
tion and the stability of our institutions.
The constitution in plain, mandatory and
unequlvocal language guaranteed to each
state a republican form of government
But according to MIR. Morgan's contention.
said Mr.. Pritchard, the constitution could
be violated If 1t bacame necessary TO vio-
late H. in order to maintain Democrats
rule in the South. That was nullihca-
ton, pure and simple.
Mr. Pritchard said that Louisiana was
one of the states which, by constitutional
enactment had deprived certain of its cit
izens of privileges guaranteed them by the
| federal institution, and he said that the
| Democratic party of North Carolina was
| attempting to secure tne duOptloh VI ~
| proposition to amend the constitution on
| that state, In a similar way.
Repeal Fifteenth Amendment.
"If the Senator from Alabama is right"
said Mr. Pritchard, "in his contention that
the negro Is not entitled to exercise the
elective franchise, the Democratic party
should have the manhood to propose the
abrogation Of the fifteenth amendment.
This would afford the people of the United
States an opportunity to pass on the ques-
tion-the only lawful method by which
the colored people can be deprived of the
rights which are now guaranteed them by
said amendment.
"T'he proposed amendment Is the most
important question we have been called
upon to deal with since the war. The
| Constitution Of 1868 Of North Carolina was
framed by the Republican party, and
among other things it contained a provi-
sion which guarantees free suffrage to -he
rich. the poor, the illiterate. and the edu-
Gated alike. It's adoption marked an era
of encouragement 10 the common people
of the state
II do not wish 10 be understood as say
ing that every Democratic leader in North
Carolina has been guilty Of duplicity In
dealing with our people, because there are
several honorable exceptions. and notably
among these was my distinguished prede-
| cessor, the late Senator Vance. When ne
| passed away the element of the Democratic
party which his influence had held I'm
check, assumed control Of the party ma
| chiueTy
what the Amendment Means.
"If we are to profit by the lessons taught
by the election methods in South Caro-
! lima, Louisiana and Mississippi, we are
Justified IN the assumption that the adop-
| ton OF the proposed amendment IN North
| Carolina will sound the death knel to the
| aspirations Of every Zeb Vance Democrat
! In the state While intended to crush out
the principles of Republlcanism, it Is
! likewise intended to eliminate those who
! entertain the liberal views of the late Sem
| ator Vance as wen as those who are not
| willing to submit to the dictation of tho
machine. 1t Is evident that the trainers
of the ffteenth amendment had but one
| object IN view and that was to embody
! In the constitution OF the United states
l. - IL. II -.