The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-12-25
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Notes by the WaySlde.
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Where are we going to get labor next year, Hal? Immigrate itg' This ques- tion addressed by one prominent and successful Lowndes County farmer to an- other, was overheard on the train out of Selma day or so ago.
 The answer was: q do not know what we are going to do about it, but I do know that labor is badly demoralized and that it is impossible to make any con- tracts of any sort for next year."
 And then the conversation drifted along into the causes of these conditions. It was gathered that one reason was the uncertainty of the outcome of the new Constitution in the minds of the negroes. They are in doubt and are greatly per- plexed as to what is to become Of them under the new organic law. They were told so many terrible tales during the canvass for the ratification of the new Constitution that they were to be put back in slavery and made to wear uni forma and work under an overseer ana much of similar nonsense. that now since the Constitution is the law of the land they are standing in awe and dread ana are surprised that something has not al- ready been done to put the stories and they wait the more surprised they will be for the new law will do no harm 10 the negro, rather promote his prosperity and well being, and remove him from the troubles and perplexities of politics. The fact is, as gleaned from the conversation referred to. some negroes nave already gone to the West and others are talking of going, while those who remain in some portions of Lowndes and other rarts of the Black Belt arc not making any contracts for the next year ana are in a most deplorable state of demor- alization. ,,
 "Tho negroes are not settling up this year." remarked a prominent Lowndes County merchant. Many of the most re liable and successful of them are giving up their property. their mules and horses and everything that they own and de. clare that they will work here no more; That is the situation now but It IS thought that in a short time. after few of the hotter heads have gone else where, a good riddance, that the others will come to their senses and go to Work again. just as they hay have tba aone tne aefseo Coo. stitution gives them every personal ana political right and that those who come up to requirements will be allowed to vote and those who do not will be much l better of.
 A few days ago. in the office of the Tax | Assessor of Hale County, young ana | trim boy came in and asked to be all Assessor got list and began to question him. He went through the long string of personal property and the negro nao @ you got?'' asked the Assessor, in i'm, Pat.snssii tsx ssid the negro. Ta you don't have te pay that and I can't collect it, said the | assessor. "Yes, I know" responded tht negro, but | want to give in my. pol | tax" The assessor said that class or ne, groes are. giving in their poll tax anC | seem eager to get on the list. He tolc | of another instance that shows tha' there are others who want to get in un der the property qualification. In vaiu | ing his property. "a negro gave m m | horses and mules at very nigh ngure' and being remonstrated with he WoulC not heed, but went right along until thu list was completed and he then asked I | it all amounted to over three hundred dollars and when told that it did, he sai'
 he was satisfied. They are doing all II
 their power to get into line to enjoy thu
 right of suffrage and there seems 10 D
 an understanding among them to get oi
 the list in any possible way.
 'Is Governor Jelks going to have op
 position?" Is being asked and discussed on every train, and wherever any mum
 ber of people are congregated together
 The general feeling is that there shoul'
 be peace in politics next year II possl
 ble, but it is recognized on every nam
 that an earnest effort is being made |
 bring out candidates for governor an an
 every State office. and so stir up the DO
 litical waters as to throw the nomlna
 tion of candidates in the convention. Tn
 opposition Is endeavoring to get prom
 nent citizens in different localities t
 run for Governor and the other offices
 hoping that if they can succeed In bring
 ing out several candidates of their ow
 that others on the other side will TUT
 hoping to carry off the honors in tn
 scramble And therein lies the danger
 If there is one candidate against Gov
 ernor Jelks there will be others and tn
 prospect is that the contest will be very bitter and closely contested onC
 The friends of the new Constitution ca
 succeed by uniting their forces on Coy
 ernoh Jelks. and easily nominate hiT
 in the primaries, but if they divid among themselves. that will be the wis
 and purpose of the. antis and they wi
 have accomplished half the fight befor the convention meets. The belief of we
 posted politicians is that if the friend of the new Constitution will stand tc gether they will be invinclble, but
 they divide that they may go down l defeat May they be wise enough to hol
 their strength and continue to rule tn 1 State.