The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-10-09
He CAN REGISTER
Rutherford Negro Preacher
Entitled to Vote.
State CHARM m Simmons Writes Letter as 10
the Correct Interpretation Of The dead
anc Write" Qualifications.

There appeared in yesterdays News
and Observer from local correspondent,
who writes for several newspapers. the
following:
"RutherforG:on, N. c., Oct. The
registration books We're opened in this
county last Thursday and UP to today no
negro has been registered At the Ruth
erfordton precinct three negroes have
appeared for the test. OHe had not paid
his poll tax. the second made blupders
in reading. The third, Rev. Black, read
a section beautifully and wrote it web
and correctly except the wore divided,
which he spelled ode" This Of course
was a mistake and the registrar did aot
register the divine
This publication caused much comment
yesterday among Democrats. Some
thought that the correspondent had prob
ably printed current rumor that was
incorrect. Others thought the registrar,
under an incorrect Interpretation of the
read and write" clause, thought an APP
plicant must have perfect examination
before he could be registered.
Slate Chairman Simmons regarded the
matter of sufficient Importance to ad-
dress letter to the chairman of the
County Board of Elections, calling his
attention to the matter. Hero is copy
of the letter:
Raleigh N. c., October s. 1902
Hon. Soloman Gallert. Chairman County
Board of Election Rutherfordton
n. C.
Dear Sir: A special from rutherford
ton, n. c., dated October It'll. and pub
lished today in the Raleigh papers,
states that a certain negro preacher by
the name OF Black offered himself for
registration at Rutherfordton precinct.
That ne read a section of the Constitu-
tion beautifully" and wrote it well an6
correctly, except the word 't...nl
which he spelled devided :" The ar
ticle says on account of this mistake in
spelling the word divided" he was re-
fused registration.
This is not a correct Interpretation Ct
the amendment or the election law passed
in pursuance OF it If this special
gives correct statement of the facts in
this particular case, this man is clearly
entitled to register and vote, and l trust
the registrar who refused him -egistra
ton will reconsider his decision and reg
lister him.
Neither the LEGISLATURE when it md
mitted the amendment nor The people
when they ratified it, intended that The
educational clause of the amendment
should be given any such strict inter
probation. I know it is hard to lay
down any exact rule for the interpreta
ton of this clause. If, however, man
has learned to read and write in the ac-
ceptaton of those two words by aen q
intelligence. he is entitled to register and
vote under the educational clause. If he
is learning to read and write. but has rot
yet learned, he would not be entitled To
register or vote under this clause.
l wish strongly to dissent from the ia
depreciation Of the educational clause
given by the registrar of the Rutherford
ton precinct, and if the article referred
to gives correct statement of the facts
in this particular case, to express the
hope that he will reconsider his decision
and register this man.
Yours truly.
f. NJ. SIMMONS.