New-York tribune., 1901-04-21
THE ALABAMA PLOT.
A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION AR
RANGED BY BOURBON DEMOCRACY
TO DISFRANCHISE THE NEGROES.

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: In the whole range of American domestic
politics to-day there Is nothing that presents
phase OF such sinister significance Is to found
in the plan of the Bourbon Democracy to hold a
constitutional convention in Alabama on May 81
The whole thing has been cut and dried for the
specific and declared purpose of disfranchisng the
negro voters Of the State. There is no mincns of
the matter, no evasion, no concealment no fne.se
With bald effrontery Grass brutality :he BLACK
Belt ring, with Its abettors and accomplices in
caucus assembled, has told the world its motive
and its purpose. Hence there is no excuse for the
administration at Washington or the people In
general to be mised hoodwinked
The act providing for the holding of the conven-
tion was passed by the legislature last December
That act itself casts doubt and suspicion the
whole scheme. After providing for a special cleo
ton on April - to elect deleg and TO ascertain
whether a majority of the people were in favor of
the convention. 1t set about to limit by all possible
restrictions the action which the body may take II
called
Moreover each one of the limitations set is a
double barreled bid for the support of some spe-
cial Interest. The section providing that no change
shall De made In the present basis of representa-
tion In the General Assembly Is sop to the Black
Belt. where In county alone there are 800
black voters to $500 whites. This section now has
representation based on the whole number of votes
black and white and both United States Senators
are from the county referred to-
NO CHANGE IN TAXATION
Another section provides that no change shall be
made in the present constitutional Of taxation
This is wholly adverse to the vital interests of the
State and is done at the behest Of the big holders
of idle lands, the railroad corporations and other
forces that have more pull than scruples The tax
rate is now so low to prevent the State govern
ment from performing its legitimate functions. and
in order raise necessary revenues the prisoners
farmed
The convention is also required to pledge itself
not to do anything In the direction OF removing the
State capital from Montgomery. sophisticated
appeal to local prejudice for which there is the
slightest basis. Other limitations OF similar
character. and it is likely that mass OF voters
will be influenced in their action by these sops.
But the initiated know well enough that such
limitations do not limit. In truth, these only
blinds, and their true meaning is that the only
1ect OF the convention Is to eliminate the negro
from Alabama politics. Plans laid by which
the convention will be counted in, whether the peo-
pie want 1t or not. Ex-Governor Johnston is at the
head of an active faction of the Democracy that is
working in opposition, but with no hope of results
The caucus pronouncement. which has been scat
tered broadcast over the State, contains the fol-
lowing
After an experience OF thirty years affording
every necessary facility TO qualify the negro for
the franchise, II has been demonstrated that as n
race he is incapable of self-government and the
intelligent exercise of the power of voting.
therefore. in the interest of both In Ala
bama. we favor the holding of constitutional con-
vote so as to perpetuate the rule of the white race
in Alabama"
APPEAL TO IGNORANT WHITES
These patriots In convention assembled after
declaring their Intention to regulate all questions of
suffrage so as not 10 conflict with the constitution
OF the nited States agree all the limitations
above referred TO. and In the fifth clause OF their
PLATFORM make this appeal to the illiterate whites
throughout the State: THAT we pledge our ratb
to the people of Alabama not to deprive any white
man OF the right TO vote except for cony,c,,or 90
Infamous crime" -
The depth of 'infamy" TO which a white man
must m descend In order to be deprived of his right
leave him considerable latitude '''' 'e'"'' -
IN ogssp ne m negro II is sufficient that he is black
Of the scheme the following oath has enasges been pTe
on II do solenIy swear OF tbaf as proposed CONVEX
esy esns'sqto9 snd Gf the United states and hon
on 10 40 deSGve s on me as delegate of this
time do ths thing ap 10 Which sais !, oas sss
Of a Feaoh to 0s to - hsm m
nsi 5sh @ OF sltzsns Of the United States shall
eSpdoS @ any state M on Of color
clear but it that What she ns6s 20 ee
as whole cannot do and what the States are ex-
By be Of snaa asi Sd Sh
they o 19 the mSnns to hsss t
must violate their oaths and become traitors 10 The
support the Federal Constitution they cannot pos.
far TO see 9or @ the their party pledges One has not
their t1be regard as most binding
NOT AIMED AT BLACKS ALONE
is not se ths Of Of the negro as voter
country large admit even that It is no sep6ns sS 5ns
detriment TO the negro himself That is not the
nPSfs Sf tse Is tsa sas'fss S
its purposes; certain clique OF men In the South
Of sSe m o1t Of anS n
proportion to Its Plumbers and in ridiculous
men in other parts of the country.
None OF these d!sfranchisement laws directed
proved in the case Of Mississippi The eiee,orats
there there Is virtually reduced to 400 white votes.
franchsed. The result is that about one NTH Of
the voting population elects seven congressman,
In the political affairs of the State or in the seec-
ton of members of the Electoral College in ma
Il is not reasonable to suppose that Alabama will
DO much better The evident purpose is to curtail
world and to extend and perpetuate those of the
ring OF Bourbons which controls the State and
r. the representation in Congress all these
States had been cut down to the actual level
too late to bring them to their senses There is not
Republican or an independent voter In the South
who would not welcome any legislation, passed In
good faith to improve the intelligence and char
port law establishing educational qualincation
for whites and blacks alike.
more appreciated than the declaration Of President
Mckinley that the time had come for the North to
men are not of the kind to be placated by favors
or by tenderness the only way to reach them is
representation correspond with the electorate OF
their own making. By that means only they
the land above themselves. J. A.
Birmingham Ala. April l6, 1901.