The Atlanta constitution., 1900-07-30

sale importation OF nesroes, t .,,
of convicts and aliens. and the other liis
wb,cb accompanied the fusion law. me
natural and Inevitable result OF this move
ment was the preparation OF an amehu-
men, TO the constitution designed TO puri-
~ the electorate by eliminating SO iii
as possible the ignorant ana iiiileia.o
negro who. I'm the disturbed conditions,
had become the great menace 10 the Peace
and the prosperity Of the state. ihd'
amendment adopted. by two-thlrus
ma tority of the legislature, Is now before
tho neople for ratification. Under the
constitution IT requires a majority OF
those voting 10 ratify.
Outlook at First Rather Dubious.
In every nook and corner OF every
county I'm the state has the amendment
been discussed in all It's bearings. The
democrats have had an army of able
men on the stump defending IL. explain
ing is practical workings and meeting
the assaults made upon it, Equally as
active have been the fusion forces.
II is no secret that for several months
after the populist leaders began thelr
active fight and before the democratlc
campaign had definitely shaped up, there
was much doubt as to the result. Ine
populisis. who were at first uncertain
as to what position they would take. be-
gan under Senator Buffers leadership
TO make a still hunt campaign against
the amendment. With the aid or tho
republican organization and Of the feder-
al Office holders. who. in this state are
divided between the republicans and pop-
ulists. a large campaign fund was raised
One of the first steps taken was the pur-
chase OF the editorial columns of The
AsheviIle Gazette. a daily newspaper or
standing. which came out strongly against
the amendment The sale by this news
paper OF its influence has been recently
exposed bv one Of its stockholders. The
Gazette was scattered broadcast through
the state and almost before the demo-
Gratis knew what was happening. there
was being built up a sentiment against
the amendment.
So IL was that when Chairman Sim
mons and lis associates took charge OF
the campaign, they found they were
un against n pretty hard proposition.
Fror, the nrst. however. the work of or
eanizaiion .as thorough and complete.
and when the democratic speakers, un-
dor : 80 leadership of the brilliant and
able Aycock. now the candidate for gov
ernor. began meeting the attacks or the
opposition. the tide set I'm the other way.
Now there is lite doubt that the VIC
tory will be I'm all respects overwelm-
ing.
y most VIGOROUS campaign iishH b''h
made by both sides. Senator Butler has
handled the populist end of II with great
shrewdness. His entire effort has been
an endeavor 20 capture the vote OF the
iliiterate white man. who has. indeed,
been the only unknown element In the
campaign. In every possible way nave
the prejudices OF the illiterate white
been appealed to. The whole effort or
the popuIist campaign has been 10 make
81. H..
TO disfranchise him as well as the init
crate negro. And not only him, but his
children.
Butler's Methods of Campaigning.
The amendment. Senator Butler has
argued. would I'm its indvitable results
admit 20 the ballot the fresh young ed
ucated coon niggers' of the cities, but
would lust as inevitably keep the poor
white bovS of the country on the outside.
In his speeches Senator Butler has car
ried around with him thirteen-year-old
white boy as a horrible example of what
would happen under the operations OF
the new law when II goes into effect
This bov. unable to read and write, is
asked from the stump whether In his
oninIon he will be able to read and write
nv the wear 1905. when under the opera
,,ons of the amendment, the exclusion
nrovfsion will operate against all Hit
crates. none of the young men being pro-
tecred by the so-called grandfather
clause When they boy answers that he
aoes not think he will be able 10 read
,nd write by that time. the populist
leader turns in triumph to his audience
and says: There. what did i tell you?
Your sons and your grandsons will be
unablo TO stand the test when IL comes
A., IaS while the city negro who has the
advantage of public schools, Will be able
80 stand IT, He will vote and your boy
cannot
This sort of argument-if IL Is worthy
,h., name OF argument-was quite effec-
,;,,a n, first with the illiterate white men
81 tho country. North Carolina probably
ranLs first i'm illiteracy among the poor
y,bi,a people of the country, as well as
amonsr the negroes. The democrats nave
IA 20 meet this Butler argument by
nromises of vastly increased school Ia
ciIities and by showing that this provi-
sion will act as a great incentive TO the
white boys of the country. making them
take advantage of the opportunities Tor
securing the education which Will quail
ify them to vote.
II Is not injustice to say that the cam
naign against the amendment has been
,brouchout one of misrepresentation
THE appeal to the illiterate white voter
nm .ha score that his sons are to be dis