The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-10-27
AN INFAMOUS OUTRAGE.

The shouts of victory over the Au-
gust election had hardly died away
before the Republicans began the
scheme to carry the State in Novem-
Der. The program at first was to
hold convention of so-called "busi-
ness men, to declare that 1.-The negro
question now being settled" white
men could afford now to divide in the
national election" That program was
abandoned when public attention was
called to two facts:
1. That the amendment would not
go into effect until 1902, and those
who had stood together in August
could not afford to help the Republic
cans, who, if successful, would seek
to destroy the amendment.
2. That, in view of the appoint
ment by Mckinley of so many negro
postmasters in Eastern North Caro-
lima, a vote for Mckinley was a vote
for negro postmasters just as much
as vote for the Fusionists in August
was a vote for negro magistrates.
1t was also pointed out that the
Republican Federal offce-holders had
sought to intimidate the voters by
arresting Democratic registrars, and
that as these men were being perse-
cuted while in the discharge of their
duties, it was the duty of every adj
vocate of the amendment to stand by
them and see that the Radical spleen
These arguments had weight and
the advocates of division found that
they had SO little support they aban
doned calling the convention or con-
ference. The bulk of the gold vote of
1896 in North Carolina will be cast for
Mr.. Bryan and there will not be much
division among white men in this
campaign, and never as long as the
Federal courts are employed as per-
scouting agencies.
The Newton Enterprise recites one
of the most infamous outrages yet
perpetrated in the Federal court, and
incidentally comes to the position
lhdIItdihCu ny IIAio PuPSI III aug uot'
1t says:
The finding of a bill by the Fed
eral court against Mr.. G.. M. McCorkle,
registrar for Newton precinct, at the
recent term of Statesville Federal
court, is an outrage. Mr. McCorkle
refused to register no man who fur
nished proof of his age and other
qualifications to vote. Every negro
who applied to register was either
registered or assured that he could be.
as soon as he furnished proper proof
of age and residence. Not one of the
negroes who was stood aside until he
brought forward the proof as requir-
ed by law, made any effort to get up
the proof. This Indictment has been
worked up by certain white Repubi-
cans in order to intimidate Mr. Nc
Corkle and other registrars, with a
view of getting these negroes regis
tered for the November election. with
out complying with the law. If they,
have proof of their qualifications to
register, let them produce it. We are
of the opinion that none will succeed
in registering until they do produce
the proof. We were among the first
to declare after the August election.
that the negro question had been set
tied. and that it should be kept out
of the November contest, and have
studiously avoided using the word ne
gro in any political editorial in the
national campaign. But it seems that
the Republicans in this county are de-
sirous of raising the negro question
again In this they will find the Dem
ocrats ready to meet them. Every
Democrat should be at the polls early
on November 9th and do his duty as
he did on the second day of August.
The Republican purpose is to force
the registration of all the negroes
who failed to qualify for the last
election, and relying on Democratic
apathy, carry the State for Mckinley
and elect several Fusion Congressman.
Their game has been found out, and
they will not succeed. The Democrats
will be at the polls again one week
from next Tuesday as they were on
the first Thursday in August"