The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-10-09
THE MILK IN THE C0COANUT.
Ex-Governor Jones opposed the ne
gro suffrage amendment incorporated
in the Alabama constitution

Mr. Washington in his efforts to elevate
the negro, BUT HE OPPOSED THE NE
GRO SUFFRAGE AMENDMENT MOOR
PORATED IN THE ALABAMA CONSTR
TUITION"
That is "the milk in the cocoanut.' At
ter thirty years Of struggle for political
decency, involving almost revolution at
times to keep the negroes from controll-
ing the State, the white men Of Alabama
have finally submitted an amendment to
the people somewhat along the same line
as the Louisiana and North Carolina
amendments. That suffrage amendment
is now pending in Alabama. 1t is con-
negro vote shall be eliminated to the end
that the constant menace of negro rule
shall be removed from the State. When
the amendment that has been submitted
was pending before the Constitutional
Convention Booker Washington made an
appeal to put the illiterate negro and the
uneducated white man in the same boat.
The convention refused to grant his re-
quest and made provision in the laws to
protect the suffrage of uneducated ex-Con-
federate soldiers and other classes Of de-
serving white men who have always ex-
ercised the right to vote. Young white
men coming of age must be able to read
and write before they can vote.
In this crisis in the State of Alabama
where do we find Ex-Governor Jones? He
stands with Booker Washington in
opposing the ratification Of the suffrage
amendment. II it fails to carry, every
negro in the State will be able to vote
and with the whites who are willing to go
with them, will he able to endanger de-
cent government in Alabama unless as in
the past, as when Mr.. Jones was elected
Governor, their vote is suppressed.
What next? Booker I. Washington goes
to Washington and urges the president to
apopint Mr.. Jones district judge and it is
telegra pied out that Mr.. Jones opposed
1.-THE negro suffrage amendment incorpo-
rated in the Alabama Constitution. Do
you see? Does the light begin to break?
Those who understand the Southern sit
uation NAV find in this appointment
the first outlines of the policy of the new
President with reference to the restriction
- IN, hn "a
statement sent out from Alabama that
Mr.. Jones was not candidate for the
position shows all the more that it is the
policy of the administration to signally
honor those who oppose restriction Of
negro suffrage.
The present policy, SO far as We may
judge, is not to make any direct attack
upon the various suffrage restrictions, but
to pursue waiting course, in the mean
time elevating to important offices such
prominent "has-been'' Democratic lead
ers who are opposed to taking the ballot
from the mass of negro voters. If there
by the white vote is divided, and the Re-
publicans have chance to win in cleo
tons, the Republicans may not interfere
in the suffrage restrictions. But if the
suffrage restrictions operate in Alabama
and North Carolina as they have oper-
ated in Mississippi and Louisiana, to-wit.
in wiping out the Republican party-then,
in that event, we may expect to see a
strenuous policy adopted to destroy the
various suffrage amendments.
This Republican administration will be
guided in it's course toward negro stuff
rage today by the same selfish ends that
have always actuated that party with ref
was given the ballot for no higher reason
than to perpetuate the Republican party
in power. The men who conferred the
right to vote upon the newly enfranchised
slaves, utterly unfit, as they themselves
now see and admit, to exercise it intelli-
gently or virtuously, were willing to in
fiict the infamies of reconstruction upon
the South If thereby they could get pow
er and entrench themselves in office. They
would do the same thing again if they
thought it would. give them electoral
votes. They are now trying to hood
wink Southern whites into advocating the
Republican party by laying low abou'
their position on unrestricted negro suf
frage, and making some appointments te
office OF men of high standing like ex-
| Gov. Jones. But "straws show which
way the wind blows" and Booker Wash
| ingtons success in securing ex-Gov
/ Jonse' appointment, after Mr.. Jones go
| ON the same platform against the Ala
| bama suffrage amendment, shows thu
present drift of the national administra
| tion.
! The man who opposes unrestricted ne
J gro suffrage cannot vote the Republican
ticket without stultifying himself an
| when men like ex-Gov. Jones think tina
| they can safely affiliate with the Repub
lican party, they will find sooner or late
that they are Al tho Y,,oroy Of tho yopr