The age-herald., 1901-10-20

MT. Bowie said that Senator Haii heo offered no objection whatever to the con stitution and that he could endorse many things the gentleman from Jackson hao said.
 MT. Bowie said there was an election in Indianapolis three weeks ago, and the question of negro domination was con fronting the people of the city more than any other measure.
 Six thousand negroes voted there sonols for the Republican ticket, yet the ,noo tse publican majority was only about 1UVV. Thus a white Democratic majority or oOoo was overturned in northern city py ne gro votes.
 Alabama, when she comes to settle this question, will not stand alone, ex- claimed Mr. Bowie. Mississippi had the courage ten years ago to take up this question. and the people both black and white, are contented.
 South Carolina Experiences.
 The speaker then told of how the scheme had worked in South Carolina, and he exhibited a telegram from the Governor stating that very few negroes were registered, while all the white men had been registered, and there was no complaint about election. He then told of the law in North Carolina and Louisi- ana and said their laws had not been de- clared unconstitutional, and that repre- sentation in Congress had not been cut down.
 My friends, when this question is fully presented to the people on Novem- Der Il, you'll find some leaders opposed to the constitution, but they will have few followers forcibly declared MT. Bowie. Taking up the question of constitutional- ity of the law, MT. Bowie said, every time a man objects to a measure, ne lm- mediately says it is unconstitutional
 He said that Great lawyers objected to Mississippfs understanding clause, but when 1t was taken before the United States Supreme Court, Republican judges unanimously declared 1t constitutional, and 1t went into effect.
 Since then" continued the speaker, Mississippi has been prosperous, and stands ahead of all the Southern states in education. They have gained Con gressman in 10 years, while Alabama has not.
 No Whites Dlsfranchised. He told of the permanent and tempor- ary plans in South Carolina.
 They are practically the same as ours,' he said, land no white men have been disfranchised there. Young men went to night school that they might learn to read and write, and all could vote"
 Mr. Bowie explained the grandfather clause by saying that all old soldiers could vote. Those of the war of 1872. Mex ican and Indian wars, the civil and Span ish wars.
 NO one thought in convention that the soldier clause was unconstitutional" said MT. Bowie. Now they say the descend ants clause is unconstitutional, but by vote of to 1 convention of the best men in Alabama decided 1t was constitu- tional and right"
 If man was not soldier nor a son of soldier explained MT. Bowie, The can vote if he is of good character and understands the duties of citizenship.
 Now I ask you would any white man be disfranchised under those clauses ? Understand either of them will give them the right to vote.
 He spoke of the opposition's charge that men can be disfranchised because the registrar could say they were not of good character. He said in all his legal prac- tice he had never seen but one mans character broken down. Discussing the permanent plan he said the first general state election would be held in 1906.
 Show me-" said Mir Bowie," where is there a boy who can not learn to read and write with our splendid educational faciliteis in time to register under the permanent plan. aa If he does not read and write $500 worth of real or personal property will give him the right.
 We have ample educational facilities for the young man to learn to read and write within five years There could be no better stimulant to the young men of this country to be educated.
 Massachusetts saw the necessity of this and put an educational qualification in her constitution. Look at her standing in the educational and business world now.
 With the poll tax clause, the occupation clause and the educational clause or the property clause the negro will be elimi- mated and all of the white men can vote.
 Takes Up Census Figures.
 MT. Bowie then took up the census fig ures recently offered by General Shelley as evidence of the illiterate negroes in the black belt The speaker said there were many negroes who had gone to schooi and could write their names but could not write an article of the constitution. He said that census officers took a man word for 1t when asked if he could read or write.
 MT Bowie then went into a lengthy discussion of the constitutionality of the grandfather clause and citeu decisions of the United States Supreme Court on the constitu lions of the other southern States where the negroes nave peehi eliminated. s +han other states had to fear. And they wen. forward. .,..ra+,o,
 Taking up the question of registrauoh' he said the Governor would appoint three registrars in each county ana that tie onnosition had said these white Demo crats would fail to register white men and would register all the negroes.
 "Gentlemen, if that was true all or tne negroes would be throwing up tner ha.s for the new constitution.
 ..We've got more sense dan dat said 1; negro voice from the crowd.
 "Yes and the white men nave moro sense too." said MT. Bowie.
 of it is a question of dishonesty why don't the present registers who have eouaI power with the registers under tho new constitution act in bad faith. Can any man point to a single individual en- titled to registration under existing lay who has not received 1t? Yet these ar Democrats appointed by a Democratic Governor.
 Discussing the recent statement that negroes would be registered in the black belt for political purposes. MT. Bowie asked why was the convention ever held? Haven't they got him now?
 He explained that 1t was made felony to fraudulently register any man, >and the Legislature was required to purge the list of all such and that the registration lists must be filed in the office of the probate judge and secretary of state by March, 1905, long in advance of any cleo ton. With those provisions and that publicity do you believe these registrars would dare to act dishonestly."