The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-05-08
Editor Daniels Writes Con-
cerning Its Work.
DISTINGUISHED MEN TO SPEAK
History of the Suffrage Amendment in
Alabama. The People of That State
Determined to Let Nothing
Stand in the Way of the
Elimination of the
Negro Vote.
Negro Vote
BY J0sEPHUs DANIELS.

Montgomery, Ala, May 4.-1he
question of paramount importance in
Alabama among the white people IS
the same question that troubles every
Southern State-how to be delivered
from the body of death to which we
were joined by the imposition OF nn-
limited negro suffrage. 1t is not so
acute here as in North Carolina. for,
in 1894 when the Populists here join
ed forces with the Republicans. after
most bitter fight. the Democrats
continued in power. The opposition
here lacked the strong Republican
party that it had in parts of North
Carolina. and there was then no ques-
ton that made factions in the Demo-
cratic ranks But it required the
suppression of much of the ignorant
negro vote to save the State, and it
was suppressed. How it was done |
do not know. That eXperience-that
close shave-gave pause to the Demo
cratic leaders who saw that some con-
stitutional and legal method of elemi-
nation must be had to remove the
possibility of the negro rule that has
cursed North Carolina. Terrible as
has been the experience of North
Carolina, it has been an object lesson
of warning TO every Southern State.
If there is danger of serious division
among white folks in this State, it is
checked by this warning: Remember
the fate of North Carolina
Last year a constitutional conyen>
ton had been called to revise the
State constitution. Governor John
ston. who believed there was danger
in division by means of constitu-
tional convention, convened the Legis
lature i'm extraordinary session, and
the call for the convention was re-
scinded. He and his supporters then
sought to submit suffrage amend
ncnt direct to the people. but nc
agreement could be had, and so no
amendment was submitted. The adj
vocates of the constitutional cOnven-
ton. led by Senator Morgan, charged
that Governor Johnston dis not desire
10 eliminate the ignorant negro vote
and failure of his Legislature TO sub
nit a suffrage amendment gave color
10 the charge. AS q matter of fact
Gov. Johnston did desire the amend
ment. and the failure was due TO rad
ical differences as. to the plan. These
differences could not be har-
monized, and so the Governor has had
TO bear the burden of failure to elm
mate the negro. When he failed to
have suffrage amendment submitted,
the advocates of the convention went
before the people and said: You see
how it is. Governor Johnston con
trolled the Legislature. If he had
really wanted to get rid of the negro
his legislature would have formulated
n plan
There is no doubt that, however
honest he was in preferring the suf
frage amendment submitted as it is
submitted in North Carolina, Governor
Johnston made mistake in securing
n reDea of the act calling conven
ton. His time TO have advocated the
submission by the Legislature was be
fore the convention was called. At
ter it had been called. the resolution
was political blunder that has cost
him dearly.
The people OF this State are re-
solved to let nothing stand in the way
of the legal elimination of the negro
vote, and at the State convention held
here n few days ago, resolution
calling for a constitutional conyen-
ton was adopted with practical unan-
unity. and it will be held next wear
Already the party leaders are study.
ing the Hawaiian plan. the Louisiana
plan. the South Carolina plan. ana the
Mississippi plan, and as soon as the
State election is held in August. The
public discussion of the method vii