The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1900-05-25

RE08t Oe8l Oh 0dfO mlSr0pf0S00C8.
tion for them to patch the old moth
eaten garment; but they will hsve
no trouble 80 far rs an effort In that
direction Is concerned. They are
persistently telling tho people and
especially the most ignorant Of the
whites that the amendment will
eliminate the negro from politics
and the polls.
This is our danger-and II
is strange in the face Of the fact
that under the Amendments all that
can read and write English will be
entitled to vOte," that any one
could be so misled.
And further, the negroes are get
ting the same benefit of the public
funds that is accorded to the whites
and are making better use of it in
various sections II not all over the
State; that when 4 white child gets
one dollar Of the public school fund
the negro child gets the same
amount. The negroes for various
reasons send their children to
school during school months. They
cannot find employment for them
in the factories and work shops of
the country, the owners will not
employ them, the whites will not
work with them, and as the schools
are taken up after crop season and
are finished before planting time
the negro has nothing for his child
to do at home and send it to school
In many instances to got it out OF
the way. They cSn learn to read
and write quite readily, but have
difficulty in getting much further.
"Under the amendment II It is
adopted, as now, voting will be q
constitutional right, and they can
not expect to evade and cheat al.
ways.
And another thing that looks a
little strange to me is why the vo-
ter should want to cast a cloud Of
doubt over his right to vote-I
mean the unlettered and poor-the
poor in so far as the poll-tax feat
ure is concerned and unlettered in
so far as the pretended saving
clause goes the f1fth section OF
the amendment. II 1t is constitu-
tional he is not safe for the reason
that the so-called permanent rec
ord of persons registered which is
required to be kept may be lost
-stolen-burnt or otherwise de-
stroyed. And when the evidence
goes, the right goes with it until
restored by proper proceeding In
court or otherwise. No record is
safe that in any way concerns the
ballot when It's destruction is nec-
eesary to ensure Democratic sue
cess At least, the past history OF
the State go indicates. go.
| It will also be observed that 1t
is made the duty of the legislature
to provide this record. Should 1t
refuse or neglect to do 80 before the
time fixed in the amendment, there
is no power to force or coerce. II
Is an independent coordinate de
partment Of state and is beyond
th he reach of the courts. It will al
so be observed that the amendment
in this respect, is not self-execu
ting. II it is adopted the party that
will be in power for years will b
the restrictive suffrage party (Tht
Democratic party) and nothing Cal
be expected from 1t in favor Of thu
ignorant whites. .
/ These observations are made up
ON the hypothesis that it Is consti
tutional, but we know 1t is not
Should the fifth section be dclaret
unconstitutional the party In pow
or will not advocate the repeal o
the amendment to save those 1t de
stroys. It will remain part Q
! the fundamental law OF the state
: until the fabric falls from its inhel
ent rottenness. @@7
Should it be adopted it will no
: as have said eliminate the ne9r
! from the polls and politics, and I
less than ten years the negro Wi
. be q campaign subject-the cry {
: his complete elimination Will ARai
y offend the conservative thinkin
}. people of the State.
The Democrats will then ga
I that the only way to do him q
Il will be to prescribe a propert
t qualification to vote along with IL
!, educational and we may live,
# hear the subject agitated.