The Washington times., 1902-02-02
DlSFRANCHISENENI OF
NEGROES AN issue
Forefdgon Consideration of
Republican Majority.
CALL FOR CAUCUS TOMORROW
Result of Agitation by Representa-
tiyes esCrumpnckcr of Indiana,
Olnfstea Of Pennsylvania. Hood3
OF Mnssnchuacfts, Eick of Ohio.
and Il Few Others.

The question of dealing with the dis
franchisement OF coiored voters in SoutG-
ern States has been forced upon the con-
sideration of the Republican majority ia
the House of Representatives By the call
for caucus to be held Monday night.
Had the wishes and opinions of the
leaders OF the House such as Messrs.
Payne, Dalzell, Cannon. and Babcock. been
The guiding principle there would be 10
present adoption of policy. il is said.
or even formal party consideration. But
the agitation by Messrs. Crumpacker OF
Indiana. Olmsted CT Penns ylvania, Moody
OF Massachusetts. Dick Of Ohio. and the
few Representatives for the Southern and
border States resulted in a demand for
action that could not be avoided.
Reduction of Representation.
There are five different propositions to
deal with the subject pending before the
Committee on the Election Of President
and Vice President and Representatives
in Congress. Mr.. Crumpacker proposes
to reduce representation in Congress as
follows: Alabama. from . to 6; Florida.
} to 2: Louisiana. S to S; Mississippi. to
5: North Carolina. 10 to Z: South Carolina.
Z to 5--a total of II. He says these re-
ductions have been calculated upon fig
ures furnished by the Director of the Cen
sus showing, he asserts. with mathemati-
cal certainty, the extent of the working
in the States named of laws intended
10 disfranchise colo-ed voters
Louisiana Law Operation.
Mr.. Moody asks an investigation of the
operation of the Louisiana laws in the
election of Representatives in Congress.
and if 1t be found that they deprive eiti-
zens OF the right of suffrage, or nbridge
it. in violation of the Constitution and
the amendments thereof. the committee
shall report whether or not legislation
should be enacted to deprive the State OF
its representation in the House.
Mr.. Dicks Proposition General.
Mr. Dicks proposition in general. di-
recting an investigation and report OF
what if any, proportion OF the number OF
male citizens twenty-one years OF age. In
any State. to whom said State denies or
abridges the right to vote as aforesaid.
except, for. participation In rebellion
or other crime. bears to the total num-
Der of male inhabitants of such State, be-
ing twenty-one years of age and citizens
of the United States
"FOrce Bills"
Messrs Gibson and Bartholdt have in
troduced bills of the nature popularity
known as "force bills" and it is reported
that the Barthodlt measure will receive
the support of the Southern Republicans.
1t is not so drastic as the other. The
Southern and border Republicans will
ritt=-'- Ignose any reduction of the
ren-esgntar5a @. tae.r atate, for they
-La.tEE iha- s"-H step 70 ans their
.'..r.i -Vl to4
.r .al. MOSS ere will be
bose d'rel.v interested
Sd. 'gtE.g H. Der atoms. and
d. .e. -'l' "1 n support
ing cne Of the several propositions.
Il may be stated with almost certainty
that If the caucus shall authorize action
it will be along the lines of the Dick reso-
luton for a general investigation OF the
subject.