The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-11-20


congress of those states
which have disfranchised the negro
there are good reasons for believing
that such reductions would ultimately
contribute to the permanent welfare
of that section of the Union.
Cutting down the congressional rep
resentation Of such states as North
and South Carolina, Louisiana and
Mississippi is plainly defensible as a
matter of political equity and justice.
The right and power of congress to do
IL could not be successfully challenged.
The only question involved would be
questions Of political eXpediency or
wisdom. But when four states have
deliberately disfranchised n large ele-
ment of their citizens in direct viola
ton of the fourteenth and fifteenth
amendments to the federal Constitu-
tion it may be gravely questioned
whether congress should permit any
questions of party eXpediency to inter-
fere with an act of plain justice and
equity. The party now in power is not
in need of any advantage that might
accrue from reducing the strength of
electoral college. But does not the
proposition involve II question of JUS
tice to the other states of the Union?
Should these states enjoy the unfair
advantage Of representation in con-
gress based largely upon a population
ioI, Ioc toe,
The total negro population of the
four southern states which have dis
franchised the colored citizen, accord
ing to the census of 1890, was 2556,64
These states have had twenty-nine
representatives in the lower house dur
ing the past decade, a representation
based upon the total white and negro
population. Deducting the population
which has been disfranchised and us
ing the ratio which governed the last
apportionment these states would be
entitled to only fifteen representatives
in congress.
Men who are most familiar with
political conditions in the South, and
who fully understand the influence of
the race problem in forcing an unwise
and illogical party alignment in every
national contest, do not believe that
the South would have much to lose
from a reduction of its representation
in congress. In fact, many believe
that it would ultimately work out the
of the race question in
oh in
of political sanity and unprecedented
industrial prosperity for that section.
What the South would lose in congress
sional representation would be incon-
compared to its vast gain
and industrally through the
lem from politics.
Having taken it's punishment at the
hands of the federal congress the
South would then be in position to
absolute and permanent con-
troll of it's local governments, city,
gro domination" would gradually dis
appear. In course of time we would
witness the inspiring spectacle of an
honest and progressive alignment OF
southern states on the issues presented
in national contest. The time would
come when the South would no longer
vote directly against it's honest convic-
tions and it's industrial welfare
fear of negro supremacy"
The spectacle of an entire section of
the Union voting solidly every four
years for one particular party, no mat
ter what issues may be at stake, is a
menace to the nation. The North has
divided from time to time on national
issues. There is scarcely state in the
North that has not at some time cast
a majority in favor of the Democratic
party.
The South can no longer stand like
stone wall against progress. The time
must come when the states must stand
fearlessly and independently for their
own material interests and for the in
dustrial welfare of their people. That
time will come when the fear of negro
is oradicated.