The age-herald., 1901-07-25

together to relieve her. The convention seems ready to adopt heroic measures. The destiny of both races Is in the hands of this convention. The negro is here to stay. Shall we degrade him or elevate him? There can be no permanent settle ment of the question except by erecting a high standard of citizenship.
 MT. Weatherly asked him what that standard should be and whether it should go into effect at once. He said he would not favor 1t going into effect at once. That he would. have a temporary plan. but not such plan as reported by the committee. His plan was to arrange the ballot somewhat after the Australian plan. There was to be two ballots-one for the educated and one for the unedu- cated-the latter to choose any one he pleased to fill 1t out for him, and 1t was only to be counted one-fourth of ballot. After five or six years an educational test was to become effective.
 MT. nefiin of Randolph.
 MT Hefin of Randolph said one should fearlessly march up and solve this prob lem He did not propose to discuss the constitutionality of the suffrage plan, but would confine his remarks to the grandfather clause and the Democratic platform. He believed that the white man should rule This was his country and it should, to be ruled properly, have a pure ballot. He thought the ma jority report of the committee was one of the ablest documents he had ever read best part of it. (Applause) The white man had ruled this country since the be- beginning of the world and they would continue to do it until they were all dead He was tired of ballot box stuning ana we ought to do away with 1t and make 1t a penitentiary offense. The grandfa- ther clause did not shut out any negro who had been a soldier or who was son of soldier.
 MT. Byers asked MT. Hefiin if in honor ing the Confederate soldier they did not at the same time honor the negro who fought against him?
 Mr He1in continued by saying he in- tended to keep every word or the Ieho- critic pledges If the convention 1orgH these pledges and went back on them there would be 1855 of the deadest politi- Sans in Alabama. He recited some DO, try and concluded amid applause
 Mir. Lowe Speaks.
 MT. Lowe of Jefferson said that Ala hama wanted fair elections more than white supremacy. This was established m 1874 and had never been threatened. Tne convention was in respose to demand for fair elections. This was solemn hour in Alabama Members or the sur frage committee should not feel bound 10 sustain the committees s report if they be- came convinced it was wrong. Let us consider these questions on their merits Are we to promote fair elections by oe- parting from the principles Of pemoc- racy? The gentleman rom Maoisoi' (Judge Walker) made one or the most specious arguments ever heard. There never will be any danger Of negro aomi- nation in Alabama unless you adopt the majority report The right of man to vote in Alabama should be so plain thai he who runs may read. VIII you give us for our present magnificent system or fraud. a commission with headquarters in Montaomery. Not a one of those whc have spoken in. favor of the report have told us anything about the board Of reg istration. They denied us the right to speak in caucus, and If say anything inn prudent, I hope you will indulge me foI this reason, I favor allowing the soldiers to vote, but these soldiers of 1S12 fought to abolish the law of entail, which prin ciple of heredity Alabama at this late day is asked to. adopt I believe that son of a soldier who Is unable to qualify un der any general rule you may adopt is not worthy to vote. Would you ask the State to pass special law in favor of allowing | your son to qualify when negroes could qualify without it?
 This scheme permits of the most in ! famous frauds ever heard of in Alabama | The registration scheme permits of this | Then there is the good character clause | Who is to pass on this good character | Three men who are willing to serve at | g a day and are appointed by a central | power in Montgomery. The people have ] cried for bread and you have given them