The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-11-08

| for rcgistIati after January 1st. 1903; | and it will, in no wise affect those who shall have registered under the tempo rary plan. ONCE REGISTERED UNDER THE TEMPORARY PLAN, THE ELEC- | TOR IS REGISTERED FOR LIFE. But the ability to read and write will not, of I itself. entitle the elector to vote. He | must have paid his poll tax, if under 45 | years of age. It is well known fact | that the white voters pay their poll tax, under existing laws, and they will con- | tinue to pay it. It does not require any one to pay tax who is now exempt | from it.
 Negroes Do Not Willingly Pay Poll | Tax.
 | It is also we'll known that the bulk of the negroes do not pay the poll tax re- qufred by existing laws, and the new | Constitution makes it felony for any | enc to pay another's poll tax in order to | influence his vote, and it Is expressly | provided that no process of any kind | can issue for the collection of this tax. l In other words, it's payment Is voluntary, | and it must be paid between October and February of each tax year. The purchas- | able element of our citizenship will be | confronted with the proposition, that in stead of being paid to vote. they must | qualify thems elves in advance, by having | paid for themselves their poll tax. Negro Literates.
 To the argument of the opposition that the negroes in the Black Belt who can read ard write vill outnumber the whites, we reply that the only evidence they have of the number of ''literates'' among the negroes in that section is the Fed | eral census report. based upon statements | made by the negroes to the census taker. | The latter asks the negro if he could read and write, and the negro said yes. | No test was made to ascertain. And be- | ing able to write ones name is a very different proposition from being able to | wrtel "any. article or clause of the Con- stitution." Besides this, those best in- formed believe "that these provisions of | the new Constitution will have the ef- feet of dminis hing the negro vote in the black Belt as well as elsewhere.
 White Supremacy Secured.
 Those who, fire m p.ejudiced and inter- ested motives, are so vigorously declaim- ing against the operation of the perma- nent plan and its effect in the negro coun- ties. overlook the important fact that un- der the temporary plan white supremacy is abs oIutely secur, d. and If the evils which these prophets of ill-omen predict will occur. should present themselves, there is still left, by the terms of the new Constitution, the right of amending 1t. and the am. ndment would be voted on by the then qualified electors. This is white mans government and 1t will continue to be so White men will see to it that they will continue in the ascend ancy. They have always been equal to the demands of government and its main- l tenance, and they will not be less vigilant in the future than in the past
 Negroes Have Organized
 The negroes have organized against the new Constitution. The ''literates'' among them have read the hand writing on the wall. They fear its operation. They have appointed their committees to raise mon- ey to defeat it. Proto stations of the op- position campaign management of no sympathy with the negroes will not avail. They are fighting on the side where the negroes, who are already threatening the Democratic party with the Federal Su- preme Court, are found to be. We have heard of Federal interference before and We are not to be daunted now. Bravo men and good lawyers framed the new organic law and We have no doubt 1t will withstand all assaults.
 Suffrage Committee Supporting Con stitution.
 The Committee of the Constitutional Convention who were charged with the duty of framing the Suffrage Article in the new Constitution. was composed of
 
 the State and includ d some of our best lawyers, two of them having been Su- preme Court Judges. This Committee and indeed the whole membership, of tn Convention, were ac.ing under the sano titv of the oath of offic, they had eacl taken when tha Con enti n was organ iZed, to support and maintain the Con stltution and laws of the United States This Committee, after the most careful study, report d the plan which is incor- porated in the new Constitution. Fiv members of this Committee joined in a minority report, based upon one clause only in the plan, namely, that clause i the temporary plan, which authorizes tn registration of the lawful descendants O. soldiers. v On the balance of the plan the Committee was agreed. The Conven- tion having heard the discussion upon these reports. adopted the majority re port. The distinguished gontl men wh composed the minority of that Commit tee are w to man, supporting tn new Constitution. We repeat. we belict i the Committee took secure ground Mi | sissippi, Loui jana, North and South Car olina have freed themselves from the in cubus of the ignorant negro vote. Ala bama can and will do the same
 Motto.
 Catching the spirit and the purpose cc | the new constitution, this committee ha. adopted as Its motto: White Suprcmacy Honest Elections and the New Consti- tuition. One and Inseparable." Jnd l this banner. we will fight the battle the Democratic party, and under it. W. urs2 all white men to align themselves
 Product of Democratic Party. The new constitution is the product oi the labor and thought of the Demac"atic ! party, in calling the Convention and elect ing great majority of delegates to eats in it. Whatever of good is found in it is the result of the work of Democrats That party, ever watchful of the intrrc L. of the white people of this State decided that We should have a new constitution.
 Party Has Kept Faith. To hold the convention, it fought the good fight, Towards its pledges mad i in that fight, it has kept the faith. And whether or not there is. henceforth, laid up for 1t crown of righteousness. it is for the white people of this State to de- eide. By and with them, it proposes to stand or fall. 1t has always stood for white supremacy, which has been cur protection, and will continue to be our slogan and shield.
 Honest Elections
 Honest elections are as sure to follow the adoption of the new constitution as that the day follows the night It may not all come at once, hut the Democratic party has set its face towards honesty in elections and it's policies will obtaln.
 Legislature IIust Act.
 The new constitution requires the leg islature to pass laws, not inconsistent with the constitution, to regulate and govern elections. It requires the lesls-