The Atlanta constitution., 1900-07-30

criminated against In the future Is only
small part of It, That has been sup
plemented by the claim that after this
amendment is carried the democrats will
next add property qualification. In
the literature sen out from populist
headquarters. stress is laid upon this
charge which the men who make 1t must
know Is unfounded. unwarranted and
uncalled for. Still they make the claim
that the democrats propose to put on
three hundred dollar property qualifca-
ton, thus wiping out all the poor men.
as well as all tho illiterate. OF course,
there is absolutely no BASH whatsoever
for such a claim. That 1t is advanced IL
lustrates the dire straits in which the
opposition finds itself, and Is evidence of
the acknowledgment of impending de-
feat.
From democratic standpoint this ig-
norant white vote has been the danger
point of the entire campaign. The educa-
tional facilities under the public School
system of the state have not In the past
been anything like what they should have
been. and the populist appeal has, there
fore. not fallen upon unwilling ears. But
there is every reason now to suppose that
these arguments have been fully met 10
the satisfaction of Il great majority OF the
people to whom the appeal was especially
ate white men-themselves protected by
the famous grandfather clause. and their
children protected by the democratic
promises of necessary school facilities
will give the majority which will engraft
the amendment upon the constitution OF
the state.
The Intelligent Vote Easily Placed.
There has never been a question where
the votes of the intelligent white would
go. While at The outset there may have
been some difference of opinion as to the
necessity for the adoption of this amend
ment and while a very few men have
doubted Its constitutionality. the intelll-
gent democrats. almost to a man. have
been from the first its supporters. Thcn
many leading men who have in the past
affiliated with the populists and some who
have been recognized as republicans are
supporting the amendment. Some repub-
licans leaders are openly advocating IT.
while some men who have been most ac-
tive in the populst party have Joined the
democrats in speaking for II from the
stump.
Almost every day has brought TO light
some man who figured prominently in
populst ranks when that party was at
fits high water mark. who is now fighting
shoulder to shoulder with the democrats
I'm this battle TO remove the incubus of
the nliterate negro vote Major Guthrie.
for instance. who was the populist cam
didate for governor In 1896. and who is
recognized as the ablest man in that
party. is now on the stump advocating
the adoption of the amendment; as also
are such men rs l.. c. Caldwell. who was
the populst chairman Of the railroad COM
mission: Morrison Caldwell. who was the
populist candidate for congress against
Congressman Klutz; Mr.. Strowd who was
a populist member of congress from the
Raleigh district; Mr.. Boggs. populist nom
inee for congress In 1898, and q number
OF others. Among the representative re-
publicans who have taken a pronounced
stand in advocacy Of the amendment,
former Congressman Tom Settle, ex-Sen-
ator Sharpe Professor McIver. Colonel
Argo, of Raleigh; Colonel Tom Devereux,
Major Josh Hill and n large number OF
other men who have always been repub-
Leans. 1t Is a rather interesting fact that
almost all Of the northern men who came
To North Carolina as republicans and who
have affiliated with that party, are now
strongly in favor of the amendment. The
men who control the republican organi-
cation and hold the offices are most OF
them against 1t.
A few of the educated negroes who are
themselves eligible under the provisions
of the amendment will vote for It, but
most of the negroes who cast their ballots
at this election Will very naturally vote
against it. The republicans In the west
ern part of the state, the mountain coun-
ties which they In large measure con-
troll are against the amendment, and in
the opposition column must also be put
so many OF the populists as Senator But
ler and his organization are able to con-
troll
The Populist Vote.
Just how many there are of these II Is
impossible to say. In 1892 the populists
polled 1850 votes for General Weaver.
That is the last time they cast an inde-
pendent vote. 1t is estimated. however.
that I'm the fusion of 1894 they may have
polled as many as $1,000 votes, for that
was probably the high water mark of pop
uism. 1t is certain that since thep their
numbers have been rapidly decreasing.
Some of their leaders seem to believe
now, hut IL is the general estimate that
they BOILED no more than 10000 or 12,0OO
votes on the outside in 1885, and the dem
ocratic estimates give them no more than
1900 votes this year.
1t is a fact that the populist party is
pretty dead in North Carolina. Had 1t
not been for this amendment fight, there
would be practically no populist party.
This gives Senator Butler and other office
holders who have been hanging on hv