The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-06-08
THE FRANCHISE PROBLEM IN ALA
RAMA

II is evident that 1t is not going to be
an easy matter for the Alabama consti-
tutionai convention to agree upon plan
for the Acknowledgement of illiterate ne
groes. The number of plans which have
been submitted Indicate that there is
great diversity of opinion in the conven-
ton on that subject. and it is not i'm
probable that there is a very large per
cent. OF the white population which doubts
the advisability of DISTINGUISHING illit-
crate negroes unless illiterate whites are
also disfranchised.
4 day or two ago Elk Minister Hannis
Taylor, one of the most prominent men
of the state. delivered a strong address
to members of the convention against dis
eliminating against the negroes In the
matter Of the franchise. He favored dis
franchising all illiterates. and urged the
white people to agree to that plan.
The better class of negroes all over
the state are greatly aroused by the
prospect of the Acknowledgement of their
race. They declare that such dscrimina-
ton would cause very bitter feeling be-
tween the races-a feeling that would
grow stronger as the negroes became
more intelligent. That kind of talk, how
ever. will not deter the convention from
DISTINGUISHING nliterate negroes if it be-
comes satisfied that the best interests
of the state and society demand their
Acknowledgement. The same sort of talk
was heard in Louisiana, South Carolina.
Mississippi and North Carolina before
illiterate negroes in those states were
.disfranchised.
There is considerable speculation as to
the course the Virginia Constitution Con-
vention, which meets on the 12th of this
month, win pursue in regard to illiterate
negroes. Gov. Tyler of that state is
quoted as saying that he does not be-
lieve that those who are called upon
and required to exercise all the duties of
citizenship, including the payment of
taxes and the observance of the state
laws, should be restricted in voting on
all questions which affect the body poll
tic" 1t is safe to assume from this
that Virginia's governor will be against
any plan tc disfranchise iIliterate ne
groes.
In this state opinion is divided as TO the
advisability of DISTINGUISHING illiterate ne
groes and if a constitutional convention
should be called it is a question whether
that class of negroes would be disfran-
chised Some of the ablest and most
influential men of the state are of the
opinion that the white primary plan is
sufficient to protect the state against
whatever evils are threatened by ignorant
negro voters.
Congressman Livingston of this state,
in an interview in Washington on We'd
nesday, put himself on record as being
against DISTINGUISHING illiterate negroes
anywhere in the South. In the course of
his remarks he said: LAS long as Geor-
gia is doing well we do not care to run
the risk of having our representation in
the United States Senate and the Elec-
toral College cut down" 1t is evidently
the opinion of Mr.. Livingston that as
soon as the Republican leaders find they
are loosing congressman in the North
they Will endeavor to cut down the rep
resentation of those Southern states
which have Disseminated against the ne
groes in the matter of the franchise.
There are reasons for thinking he is
right in the position he takes. Under
the white primary plan the state is not
in much danger from iriteracy. The plan
costs the people something. but the cost
is not a serious burden. 1t is certainly
preferable to the loss of representation in
Congress and the Electoral College.