The age-herald., 1901-07-23
Endorses the Plan Submitted to
 the Convention
BELIEVES 1T THE WIsEST
That Could Be Devised in the ciroun. stances-DecIares 1t Does Not Dis. crIniinate Against One Race In
 Favor of the Other.

Bankhead said yesterday:
 "Yes. I have read the report of the committee on suffrage and election. first saw 1t in the Pacific Coast papers and was greatly pleased by the favorable comments by both Democratic and Re- publican papers. I may have overlooked some of the minor details. but the main provisions have the full approval of my judgment.
 | believe in standing by the pledges of the party, and especially when the dele gates, after being nominated, renewed these pledges, and every speaker who went on the stump and asked the people to trust the party and reiterated the pledges,
 What do you think of the so-called Grandfather clause?"
 T can see no objection to it. There can be no conflict with the Constitution Of the United States. It does not dis criminate on account of race. color or previous condition of servItude. White and black come under its provisions alike.
 It Is recalled that in the state of Ala bama by special act of the legislature during the civil war, several companies of negroes were organized and accepted by the Governor, beside many negroes from Alabama enlisted in the Federal army during the war. Many of these same negroes now live in Alabama and their descendants are quite numerous. al this clause on anteuual footing with the white man who served in any of the wars named, together with the descendants of these white men.
 Some gentlemen seem to think that to conform to the right to vote on the de- scendants of soldiers tends to create a governing class, and establishes hered- fly and all other evils that follows white supremacy in Alabama. I fail to see where lower standard Is prescribed for the white man than is required of the negro. The only difference Is that more white men will be benefited than ne- groes To this I do not object If the State by it's sovereign power can confirm the right to vote on those who have serv- ed their country in war, the State can also confirm the right or privilege to vote on the descendants of these sol diers. provided the State does not dis criminate on account of race, color or previous condition of servitude. I have not been able to discover a single line or word that can be construed into dis elimination. I believe no one has been so bold as to say the State cannot con- fer the right upon an old soldier because he was a soldier. If that clause Is con- stitutional, the descendants provision Is also good.
 I know of no class to whom the State can commit it's future with more conf- dence and composure than to those who were willing to give their lives in de- fense of the State. If there is a badge that should entitle a man to the highest privilege that the State can confer, it Is an empty sleeve or wooden leg. If misfortune met in the service of the State has prevented these men from qualifying their sons to have the right to vote conferred upon them by the other provisions of the Constitution, than any other provisions that the ingenuity of man can devise can be resorted to- If this Is heredity, I am in favor of It. If 1t establishes governing class. am in favor of them. provided the class Is composed of my white fellow-citizens
 If there had been as many negroes served in the wars mentioned as there were whites and their descendants were as numerous would anybody say that
 
 color? I think not. Then 1t must be a question of numbers. If the right to vote is conferred by this clause on more whites than negroes without discrimi- hating on account of color. so much the better.
 "The Convention was called to frame a constitution which the intelligent and vertious could govern without resorting to questionable methods. The Conven- tion is pledged to do certain things and not to do others.
 eff these same delegates had met fifty years ago to frame constitution they would have proceeded on entirely differ ent lines. They are confronted with a condition and not theory. Those who fall to recognize the changed conditions will be disappointed at harvest time.
 We are making a Constitution under which two distinct races must live; one vastly superior to the other; one cre- ated to rule and the other to be govern ed Are we going to consume time in discussing theories that are old or shall we meet the conditions that are now? The past is behind; the future in front of us. Shall we look ahead and build a great State or look back ward and chain ourselves to theories that are at war with present con- ditions? The progress and prosperity of both races depend upon the future government of the state. Wherever the white man has set his foot he has dominated and controlled. He will control Alabama in spite of theories and Con- stitutions.
 '"The suffrage clause was reported by a committee of able. earnest, thoughtful patriotic men. They have devoted much time to it's preparation.
 'srhe Constitution of all the States and of the United States have been examined and all the decisions of the courts have been consulted. As architects they have made the plans of house in hich the people of the State can live in peace and security.
 .T sincerely hope that the report of the suffrage committee will be accepted without material change. The work in hand Is too important to hurry. Discus sion develops weak points and gives op-