The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-04-22

IMAM "O0 incompetent negroes-sorne of
them vicious, very many of them venal
TO occupy positions of trust or profit
IN our good old State firm 1894 to 1893.
There was incompetency almost
everywhere. Public virtue was ridi-
culed. There We're many rumors of
scandal IN high places. A bill was put
upon the statute books which never
passed either house of the General AS
sembly. The negro, by nature kind,
became insolent. Our wives ana our
daughters walked the streets in some
or our largest towns in the broad day
time IN constant fear of negro insults.
During these few moments 1 can give
you bat a faint idea of the humiliation
of our good old State.
In 1898 the White men Of North Caro-
lima united and swept these people from
power. In 1900 they boldly, openly
adopted an amendment to their Consti-
tuition which renders a repetition of this
condition forever impossible. l have
net the time today. Mr.. Chairman. to
discuss the constitutionality of that
amendment. We believe it will be sus-
tanned by the courts. We do not be-
lieVe that by law the Republican major
ity. in the House has any right to reduce
our representation mere. But we nave
done what We have done.
If the law of the land requires a re-
duction in our representation in this
House We Mil submit to il. I under
take to say there is not a Democratic
member from our State who would not
willingly give UP his seat if it were
necessary to save our State from the
curse of negro rule. If you wish to
punish US for protecting our homes. do
your worst. We defy you. We shall
appeal from the blind partisan here to
cur patriotic and sympathetic white
brother in all the States of the Union.
Think YOU this appeal will be in vain?
But, Mr.. Chairman, while they are
proposing to investigate, L thought it
would be a good idea to propose an ad-
ditional investigation. Let us ascertain,
if we can, something about the corrupt
use Of money in our national elections.
While you are Investigating the legal
suppression of the negro vote in the
South, you investigate the
purchase of white votes in other sec
tions. 1t is a matter of common klowl-
edge that large funds are raised and
distributed in every campaign by The
Republican party. 1t is charged, and
not denied, that this corruption fund
fCr it can have no other correct nameJ
in 1886 to millions. 1t has
been charged that the Republican na-
tional chairman raised $600, 0C0 in one
city, and more than a million in an
other. OF course this cannot be proven
without the aid of an Investigation.
I do not undertake to say the state
ment is true, but it is believed to be
true by many an honest man in this
country. One of the editorials in a
Republican paper. which misrepresent-
ed my resolutions Gas the editor has
since admitted), uses these words: lit
is the common belief that far too much
money is spent in our political cam
paigns. 1t is a growing evil, and many
men deplore it" When a Republican
paper makes his admission, Mr.. Chair
man. you may rest assured that a very
grave evil exists. Whether true or
false, there is a belief entertained by
many a good man that tho Presidency
Of this great Republic goes to the party
who can raise the greatest corruption
fund. Let Us illustrate.
Suppose, in 1904, the Republican party
shall name it's candidate, supply it's ma
tional chairman with means,
as was said to be the case in 1896,
1 dIu SuppOSt JIC III dtI1 pal "
shall name it's candidate and it's national
chairman shall only be supplied with
enough money to defray the legitimate
expenses of the campaign, which candi-
date do you suppose will win? Now,
reverse the proposition. Give the
Democratic national chairman plenty of
money and the Republican chairman lit
tie or none. How do you think doubt
full States will go?
DO you think, Mr.. Chairman, that
there would be very much Republican
money put up on their candidate: The
parties are so equally divided that a
few of the doubtful States generally
decide the election. How utterly abom-
Unable the practice of pouring money
like wafer into these doubtful states 70
corrupt their votes: How utterly hor-
ribie this quadrennial contest between
campaign funds. IT my party IS guilty,
let us turn on the lights. Let US lnNes-
tigate, and if these rumors De true
which we constantly hear, let us DO
something to put an end to the practice
forever.
We sometimes hear men suggest That
the Republic is in LANCER. MOST OF
this is idle talk. But, Mr. chairman
there is ore real. danger: there Is one
eyer-DreSent menace TO llperts. IL
oyer hangs our beloved country IKE a
black cloud. It is the corruption OF the
American electorate by the use OF
money. Neither party can justify the
practice by charging thaI the othei
other party is guilty. 1T never mas
been right to flight the devil with ire
Gentlemen cannot evade the response
biIitv. No man should be willing for
his party to do that which ne would not
do himself.
: For one. Mr.. Chairman, prefer a re-
\ pressior of partisan strife. hiahcor ana
p~art;san bitterness are to be deplored at
all times. Let us icck hevond our "