The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-08-10

facts.' If thexe is no guarantee that provision upon the basis of represen- tation, as stated by him, will be adopted, 1t would be entirely satisfac- tory throughout the State. But inas- much as these questions are up now for argument, not knowing what action this Convention vii. take, I move as substitute for both amendments the following, which l will send to the clerk.
 The substitute was read as follows:
 Providing that the basis of repre- sentation in the Legislature shall be made according to population and shall not be otherwise changed by any amendment to the Constitution. Mir Reese--I ask unanimous consent to withdraw my amendment and accept the amendment of the gentleman from Greene.
 The consent was given.
 Mir. Malone-I rise to support that amendment-
 MT. Co.eman-I have the floor yet. I desire to know of the delegate from Walker whether he accepts the sub stitute? The gentleman from Dallas has accepted my amendment. Mine is in line with what he wants done. MT. Long (Walker)-I have no power to accept 1t. I think the amendment is tlE same as that offered by the gentle man from Dallas, only in different lan- guage.
 Mir. Coleman-Of course 1t is very clear what is the purpose of this and what Is meant by the substitute I of- fer. It simply places it upon a popu- lation basis. That is all we ask. Now if I can get the attention--
 The President pro tem.-The Chair Is in doubt whether the gentleman from Greene is in order or not. Didn't the gentleman from Greene yield the floor?
 Mr. Coleman--I did not. Now, there is nothing in this which will prevent the Legislature from changing the rep resentation as the popula .ion changes. but 1t shall always remain according to population. Now the great reason | some provision of this kind should ap- pear either here or in the report of the Committee on Representations is l this: When the Convention assemblies | as a Convention. of course it can change-this provision if 1t sees proper | When YOU submit an amendment to
 the Constitution to the people. on one l single question. 1t can never be pre-
 seted in all Its force and with all it's | merits. This simply provides thst 1t
 shall not be altered by simple amend
 ment made to the Constitution. It should always remain upon a popula- tion basis until another Constitutional Convention shall be called. when it can then properly consider all these pro- tections and provisions which are nec- essary.
 Now a great deal has been said about the section of the state from which I ccme. We realize very deeply the re- suits of this Convention throughout our section of the State. We have al- ways been loyal. We know exactly what we are conceding to the people of Alabama by this Constitutional Con- vention. We ask no favors. We sim ply want justice. We realize that the | time will come after a while when the white people of this State must take care of us. provided this other race progresses in education and property. for it makes no difference how much education they have. I do not believe they will in one hundred years be qual- flied to carry on self government, but under the fifteenth amendment, we have to do the best we can. We de-
 sire. however. to be relieved of the
 burdens we have borne so long. and all
 we ask Is protection at the 'ha nds of the people of Alabama. This gives us fair representation according to population,
 according to the taxes we pay, and It secures us in that representation l until the people of this state shall see proper to call another Convention and
 that Is all we want.
 Mir. Malone-I wish to support that | amendment, and wish to do so as | coming from one of the white counties
 of this State. If there Is anything in | this world our people wants. 1t Is ev- cry temptation on earth to be removed to pad the returns of election. What
 we want is to set 1t upon right basis. Give us what we are entitled to, and give them what they are entitled to. then there is no inducement on earth
 that I see. for any frauds hereafter. As far as I am concerned. I would be willing to fix it so 1t never could be changed by constitutional amendment or any other way. 1 don't believe any argument could be added here that would give 1t as much force and strength in all sections of the State as
 that very thing. Let us settle that thing once and for all. It is fair and just. and let us remove any temptation
 to do wrong in it. And coming from the white belt section, I support it.
 Mir. Dent-This Is a question of great importance to a large section of Ala bama. | am very sorry that the gen. tleman from Walker saw fit to refuse to accept the amendment or the sub- stitute offered by the delegate from Greene. It arouses a suspicion in the minds of men who come from what Is known as the black belt that there may be some effort in the future to base their representations, not upon population, but upon votes. want to say to this Convention that, if you see proper to make that change, or to cast that shadow over the Constitution which you are making here. you will not find much support for 1t at the hands of the Democracy of the black
 belt. We are anxious to be relieved of the conditions that confront us; con ditions which have prevailed in the State of Alabama. We want to do the gentleman who preceded me said, so as to avoid any temptation to do wrong in this matter. But | want to say to the members of this Conven- ton that if it is the purpose of what are known as the white counties of this State to take from those of the black belt the power which should belong to them because of their population. they will strike down in Alabama men who have stood up to her in her hour of need. I want to ask the delegates to
 this Convention when did the Democra- cy nf the black belt ever do anything except uphold the banner of the De- mocracy and protect the fair name oi Alabama. You may chaSGe upon the black belt of Alabama frauds In cleo tion; you may charge that they have
 hoo NF f.I.