The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-05-10
HENDERSON, n c., THURSDAY, MAY TO- 1900.

spoils and the white leaders had to
turn over the Eastern counties to
them.
Mr.. Butler saw the danger in 1895
and tried to put check upon the ne
groes, but his proposed system of
cumulative voting, designed to pro-
tect white minorities against black
majorities, was rejected. He saw the
storm in 1898 and announced that the
Legislature would afford protection
to the Eastern counties by providing
a different system of government for
then, but it was too late. Now he
ridicules through his paper and on
the floor Of the Senate the statement
that there was negro domination in
the Eastern counties. In an open let
ter TO the people in the closing days
of the campaign of 1898 he said that
the Bryan Populists would hold the
balance of power in the Legislature
and announced rs their policy in this
matter:
Il take the liberty of stating at
this time and in this manner that
these men will offer bills in the next
General Assembly to provide one sys-
TEN of county government for certain
counties and another system of coun-
ty government in the few Eastern
counties where such system may he
necessary
Why one system of county govern
ment for the East and another for
the West, if there was no danger of
negro domination?
Mr.. Butler condemns the Democratic
party for not offering an amendment
denying the negro the right to hold
office. That would be constitutional,
he says. Will he not kindly explain
why the Fusion Legislature which had
the necessary two-thirds vote to have
submitted this proposition to the peo-
pie, did not even consider it? Did he
suggest it to them? The Democratic
party proceeds upon the theory that
the greater includes the less and that
if it cuts off the negro from voting,
there is not much danger of his get
ting elected to office.
We know nothing about the condi
tions in Louisiana, but respectfully
Gratis, Populists and Republicans is
delightful combination. What sort of
principle is it that makes Populist
STAY outside the Democratic party
because there are few gold Demo-
Gratis in the camp and leads him to
Join hands with gold boilers and Re-
publicans for Officer
But Mr.. Butler admits that the con-
ditions in Louisiana would not justify
him in opposing the amendment. He
fears the Supreme Court will knock
out the 5th section of our amend
ment. He does not inform us who
will raise the question. Will the Pop
ulist party? Will the Republican par
ty? If all are agreed that the illiterate
white voter must be protected, that is
the end of the matter.
We call attention to the fact that
no one has attacked the Louisiana
constitution in the courts. If it is
in conflict with the Federal Constitu
ton, why don't the Republicans, Pop
ulsts and Cafferey Democrats attack it
instead of wasting their energies on
the election law? Is it because they
know it is impregnable or is it for
fear of the people? Mr.. Butler is
welcome to either horn of the dilem-
ma. If the grandfather section is
| constitutional in Louisiana, it is con-
stitutional in North Carolina. If the
opponents OF the Democratic party in
| Louisiana are restrained from monkey
| ing with the white mans vote by fear
| of incurring his lasting hatred, will
not the same rule work in North
Carolina? We have not the least
doubt in the world about it.
All the talk about the 9Th section
being knocked out is pure bluff and
will not be heard of sitter the August
election. The Republicans can not
afford to attack the amendment after
it is adopted. If it stands, it protects
all their illiterate white voters as
much as it does the same class of De-
mocrats and Populists. If the 9Th
section is knocked out and the rest
stands, what do they gain? Not a
single negro, but a heavy loss in their
white strongholds-Wilkes, Mitchell,
Madison aud other counties, where
the schoolmasters have not been
numerous. And besides they would
lose several hundred negro voters
who are lineal descendants of the free
negroes who voted prior to 1885.
Self-interest alone will keep them
from meddling with the amendment
after it is adopted.
Mr.. Butler may see how the cause
of reform will be advanced by keep
ing 10000 ignorant negro voters on
the poll books to kill the votes Of an
equal number of Populists and silver
Democrats. but we can't.
We think the negro question, 50 far
as politics is concerned, will be set
tied when the ballot is restricted TO
those who have intelligence enough
to use it. and when all parties are
organized on white basis and refuse
to put negroes in office. Cut off the
negro's vote. and politicians will have
no interest in stirring him up against
his white neighbors every two years.
Mr.. Butler is not fair when he
charges that the amendment is the
work of those who opposed co-opera
ton of the silver forces two years ago
The fact is that the original bill wa:
introduced by Hon. +. ID. Winston
who was Jealous advocate of CO
operation. There are none who sup
port it more heartily than those Dem
Gratis who worked to bring the silver
forces together. The Populist mem
bers of the Legislature from MIR. But
ler's own county voted for it and i
was generally understood that the!
voiced his sentiments at the time.