The times., 1901-06-16
TO ELIMINATE THE NEGRO
The Alabama Convention Expected
to Take Such Action.

According to Representative Will
liam Richardson, the PInn of Sen
ntor Morgan Is Likely to Fail
New Restrictions TO BE Adopted.
In an interview given out yesterday
Representative William Richardson OF
Alabama, who succeeded Gen. Joseph
Wheeler in the House. and who has been
in Washington for several days, stated
that the Constitutional Convention now
in session at Montgomery will adopt a
constitution which will effectually elimi-
nate the negro as a factor in the elections
in that State He predicts that the plan
of suffrage prepared by Senator Morgan
will fail, as it places too much power in
the hands of the registrars. Senator Nor
gan is now in Montgomery, having left
this city several davs ago to place ms
scheme before the convention.
Mr. Richardson is here on departmental
business for his constituents and is stop
ping at the Raleigh. When questioned rs
to the probable result of the convention
being held in his State he stated that
there was a mistaken idea throughout the
North that Alabama intended to tear the
Fifteenth Amendment out Of the Constitu-
tian of the United States and trample it
under foot. This was great mistake, he
said as there were good lawyers in the
convention and wise legislators and they
did not intend to take any action which
could be set aside by the United States
Supreme Court
Il have found that the whole country
is deeply interested in the result of the
Constitutional Convention said he. The
gravity and responsibility of the work is
kcenly felt by the delegates, and while
cannot say that the convention is com
posed of the ablest and wisest body of
men ever assembled in Alabama, many of
the members are the ablest, most pru-
dent, and most conservative men OF our
State and the people confidently expect
good work from them.
The formation of new constitutions by
many Of the Southern States under pres
ent conditions, in my opinion, marks
crucial point in the history of the South
We have met and mastered by common
sense and prudence grave difficulties in
the past thirty years l have absolute
faith that the Alabama convention will
take the lead in settling the negro suf-
rage question on the right basis, and that
its work will be approved and ratified by
the people.
"Of course the chief object in calling
the convention was to get rid of the ne
gro vote, and this the convention viii do
in accordance with the provisions of the
Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution.
do not think the Fourteenth Amend
ment has anything 70 Go with the matter
for II IS virtually replaced by the Fif-
teenth.
There is not a man in the Alabama
convention who believes that the negro
can be deprived of a vote simply because
he is Il negro. The drift of opinion is that
conditions and qualifications applicable to
both races will be attached to the right
OF suffrage The people of both the North
and the South are at this time on
sound basis of understanding on the ne
gro suffrage matter. ! am satisfied that
the convention will provide fair cleo
ton law. There viii he no semblance or
pretence about it by which any person will
be able to manipulate the vote of another.
The people Of Alabama are in dead
earnest about this matter and the dele
gates 10 the convention feel the same
way. Senator Morgan has submitted q
carefully prepared plan of suffrage, but Il
great objection has been raised against
this because it places a dangerous power
in the hands OF the registrars, who are
deliberately provided for This is fatal to
the Morgan scheme as whole.
You must understand that we have no
use for the negro in Alabama and we in
tend to get rid of him as a factor in our
elections. But we are not foolish enough
to violate the Fifteenth Amendment TO
that Will defy the United States Supreme
Court to find a. flaw. We have bigger
job on our hands in this negro question
than many people are aware Of and it
must be settled now.
When questioned as to the sentiment in
the South over the Cuban question. Mr..
Richardson stated that in his opinion
Cuba ought to be and will eventually
become one of the States OF the Union.
Il am glad that the Platt amendment
has been accepted by the Cuban conven-
ton said he but what our Government
must inevitably do is to clOthe Cuba
with statehood. What world power could
complain of so-called broken pledges or
faith if we gave Cuba the same govern
ment which we have been constructing
for ourselves in blood. prayer, and tears
for more than q century and a quarter?
What Cuban could complain? Cuba is
needed in our governmental purposes.
The natives are incapable of framing a
government which will make them law
abiding citizens"